[SCORE! FOUND IT.] Era of the Common Man

The jacksonian period had been fittingly celebrated as the era of the common man through the politics and economic developement of that time. The New Democracy, based on universal manhood sufferage, inclined politicians to appeal to the common, hard working voter. This meant that whoever appeared to have to tougher backround, or was a kind of war hero, and who was definately far from elite, would gain popularity. Thus, dspite the attempt of Henry Clay and John Quincy Adams to keep alive their National Republican ideals, Andrew Jackson, a Democratic Republican, had the election of 1828 in the bag. This "Revolution of 1828" proved that the common people now had the vote and the will to use it for their ends. Jacksons popularity was spun from his genuine simple, war hero backround, and from his support of reforming democratic ideals of his time such as raising of protective tariffs. Not only was his election characteristic of this era, but also was the spoil system which thrived under his presidency, making possible for practically any white male supporting him to take part in his cabinet. The 45% tariff passed during jacksons first year of presidency appealed to the common man, though this didnt necesarrily include the south whose *status was determined by their individual *wealth. Ovearll, the tariff was beneficial masses who, for the most part, numbered greatly in the northern states. Although angering the southerners, eventually, when the North would become more industrially capable, New England wouldnt be a necesitty and the south could/ would comply with its northern counterpart. Politically and economically speaking, the jacksonian period was very much the era for the commoner to thrive and become the more prominent figure in American society.