The Jacksonian Period

The beginning of the Jacksonian Period marked the end of President James Monroe’s second term, and General Andrew Jackson’s first term as President of the United States. Jackson’s background and how he handled his Presidential Campaign led to the Era of the Common Man. In government between 1824 and 1848, the votes and the opinions of the ‘common man’ multiplied in value and proved to carry Jackson to his first term when he emphasized on the common man during his campaign as they began to outweigh the wealthy. The politics of America greatly altered to include the opinions of the common man which expanded their representation in government. Reformer Horace Mann also worked to establish public schools which would greatly benefit those labeled as the ‘common man’.

During Jackson’s campaign for President, a noticeable shift in focus occurred that Jackson took advantage of. The votes of the common man began to outweigh those of the wealthy, and because of that, candidates began to value the votes of the common man much more than the wealthy. Jackson represented a different kind of American than the previous Presidents, and those running against him for the seat in office. The rich, and privileged often dominated in society since a key requirement to vote was ownership of land. The previous Presidents before Jackson were all wealthy, and prestigious men who had a further developed education than most Americans. Jackson, on the other hand, grew up with a childhood no different from any ordinary American citizen. His education, or lack thereof, did not hinder his transition into politics. It instead, served as a key factor in his election in 1828. Jackson represented the common man, as he himself grew up as a common man with no special guidance or handicaps through his life or career as a general and politician. As the votes of the common man led Jackson to becoming President, the value of the voices and opinions of ordinary citizens was realized and thus, ushered in the era of the common man.

Despite being the frontrunner in the coming of this new era, Jackson was not the only man who paved way for the common man. Horace Mann is, and will always be considered the Father of Education for developing public school systems all across America during the Jacksonian Period. The reformation of the education system in America benefitted hundreds of thousands of Americans who were lacking an education. Mann installed teacher training programs