Andrew Jackson's Foundations of America

The Common Man Elected in 1828, Andrew Jackson remained popular with the general public. Jackson asserted that the fundamentals of democracy lay in absolute acceptance of the majority – the common man. Jackson persuaded countless Americans by stressing Jackson’s life story as a man from modest origins to becoming a successful planter. He is associated with the movement of increased popular participation in government, nearly doubling voter turnout during his second election. Jackson, the man who accentuated the spoils system, expanded Suffrage, and emphasized Laissez-faire Economics is indubitably not only the “Champion of the Common Man” but also the modern foundation of democracy. Patronage, or otherwise “the Spoils System,” is a practice of bestowing political positions upon election in return for working toward victory. This made sure that the majority’s agenda was also Jackson’s agenda and emphasized the importance of unity and loyalty among a party. Political patronage gave the opportunity for the “common man” to have a direct influence among decisions as well as increasing the influence of citizenry in government. Voting is one of the core principles of democracy. Before Jackson’s presidency, there was countless requirements to vote. Andrew Jackson strengthened the institution of democracy by expanding suffrage to all white men. Jackson expanded the democracy in Colonial America by representing the poor as well as other classes. Jackson’s expansion further accelerated the voter participation especially among the middle class. Laissez-faire economics puts emphasis on an unregulated, free market. One may argue that Laissez-faire economics complements a strict construction of the Constitution. Although, one may never achieve a completely free market, Jackson put forth an economic environment with little taxes and restrictions, compared to the Whigs which supported modernization, railroads, and banking. This same principle led Andrew Jackson in abolishing the central bank known as the Second Bank of the United States. Jackson believed that banks were devices to cheat common people. Jackson’s authentic democratic movement remains a central quality of American life. His system of patronage, expansion of suffrage, and Laissez-faire market paved a way to the modern foundation of democracy.