The Jacksonian Era and the Emergence of the Common Man essays

The Jacksonian Era and the Emergence of the Common Man essays The Jacksonian era in American history dating back to the 1820 ¡Ã‚ ¯s and 30 ¡Ã‚ ¯s was a time of radical change and reform with revolutionary liberating effects. Jackson ¡Ã‚ ¯s philosophy that public officials served all men not a particular group caught wildfire throughout the nation. Men ¡Ã‚ ¯s total suffrage came of age in Jackson ¡Ã‚ ¯s term and also sentiments of women ¡Ã‚ ¯s suffrage were enlivened, not to mention the emergence of the common man in political society. These changes and ideals brought freedom and equality unknown to any other nation throughout history. .Jackson ¡Ã‚ ¯s presentation of political reform became obvious in his decision to reduce the restrictions for voting and for the changes in requirements for running for political office. In Jackson ¡Ã‚ ¯s annual message he stated,  ¡Ã‚ °no one man has any more intrinsic right to official station than another (Doc. A). This new idea of equality that empowered the common man gave the presidential elections a huge boost in voter participation. In the 1824 election a mere 356,000 men voted but in a few short years after Jackson ¡Ã‚ ¯s political philosophy and actions were settled over 1,200,000 men voted in the election (Doc. B). Suddenly as we say now voting became the  ¡Ã‚ °cool ¡ thing to do and in the 1840 election approximately 80 percent of the eligible voters participated in the election (Doc. D). This emergence of popularity at the voting box was due to two main reasons. One reason had to do with the states catching on to Jackson ¡Ã‚ ¯s philosophy quickly a nd conforming their own constitutions to fit it. For example, the Ohio constitution stated that,  ¡Ã‚ ° all white males above 21 years of age having lived in state for over a year and having paid taxes were eligible to vote. (Doc. G) ¡ In the past voting requirements included restrictions such as one ¡Ã‚ ¯s literacy, one ¡Ã‚ ¯s membership in the church, and the mandatory ownership of property. Another astoun...