The Jacksonian Era

Following the “corrupt bargain” election of 1824, the United States was propelled into an era that set aside the wants of the aristocratic elite to instead address the needs of the “common man” -- the Jacksonian period. Although the rewarding effects of the era were almost exclusively limited to white males, the Jacksonian period accomplished overwhelming developments in economic opportunity, reform, and national politics, exceedingly living up to its characterization as the era of the “common man.” The extent of its characterization was seen by the improved situation and expanded power of the ordinary individual. Economically, the “common man” was benefited by the Market Revolution as local markets changed to national ones, and large-scale
The Market Revolution was identified by the move away from cottage industries towards the manufacturing sector and the migration of regional markets to national markets. For farmers and other members that fit the “common man” label, factory jobs in manufacturing were appealing because of the set wages. Before, farmers risked living year-to-year on a paycheck based upon the success of their crops. This uncertainty was what brought many of these families to Northern cities for factory jobs that offered a consistent wage. Other farmers and families in the South found stability through the agricultural revolution that was occurring alongside the manufacturing boom because of the drastic improvements and inventions in technology, such as the steel plow and mechanical reaper. Consequently, the Market Revolution caused large-scale domestic manufacturing and commercial agriculture to become significant components of the American economy. The economic opportunities created in the Jacksonian period because of the Market Revolution better enabled the “common man” to become more
The shift of power to the “common man” in the political sphere was a result of the move to universal white male suffrage. However, women, Indians, and African Americans were still unable to vote and saw little to no political change. After the lowering of many voting restrictions, such as property requirements, the “common man” now had the power of the vote, forcing politicians to address the needs of the people, or risk being voted out of office. A product of this expanded suffrage was the replacement of Federalist Era legislative caucuses to Jacksonian Era nominating conventions. While caucus decisions were made only by members of Congress, the nominating convention better represented the