Jacksonian Era

Definition

The Jacksonian Era refers to the period in American history during the presidency of Andrew Jackson, from 1829 to 1837. This era was marked by a shift towards greater democracy and the empowerment of the common people, as well as significant changes in the political and social landscape of the United States.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Jacksonian Era marked a significant shift towards greater democracy and the empowerment of the common people, as opposed to the elite and wealthy classes.
2. Andrew Jackson's election in 1828 was seen as a triumph of the common man over the established political elite, and he became known as the 'people's president'.
3. The Jacksonian Era saw the implementation of the Spoils System, where political supporters were appointed to government positions, regardless of their qualifications.
4. The Indian Removal Act, passed during the Jacksonian Era, led to the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the eastern United States to designated 'Indian Territory' west of the Mississippi River.
5. The Nullification Crisis, which occurred during the Jacksonian Era, was a conflict between the state of South Carolina and the federal government over the issue of states' rights, and threatened to lead to secession and civil war.

Review Questions

• Explain how the Jacksonian Era marked a shift towards greater democracy and the empowerment of the common people.
  • The Jacksonian Era was characterized by a significant shift towards greater democracy and the empowerment of the common people, as opposed to the elite and wealthy classes. This was exemplified by the election of Andrew Jackson, who was seen as a triumph of the common man over the established political elite. Jackson's policies, such as the implementation of the Spoils System, aimed to give more power and influence to the common people, rather than maintaining the status quo of the political establishment.
• Describe the impact of the Indian Removal Act during the Jacksonian Era and how it relates to the topic of Indian Removal.
  • The Indian Removal Act, passed during the Jacksonian Era, had a profound impact on Native American tribes. This law authorized the president to negotiate treaties that exchanged Native American tribal lands in the eastern United States for lands west of the Mississippi River, leading to the forced relocation of these tribes from their ancestral homes. This policy, known as the Trail of Tears, resulted in the deaths of thousands of Native Americans and the displacement of entire communities, and is considered a dark chapter in the history of the Jacksonian Era.
• Analyze how the Nullification Crisis during the Jacksonian Era relates to the concept of the 'tyranny and triumph of the majority'.
  • The Nullification Crisis, which occurred during the Jacksonian Era, was a conflict between the state of South Carolina and the federal government over the issue of states' rights. This crisis threatened to lead to secession and civil war, and highlighted the tensions between the rights of individual states and the power of the federal government. The 'tyranny and triumph of the majority' concept is relevant here, as the Jacksonian Era was marked by the empowerment of the common people and the rise of majority rule, which could potentially lead to the oppression of minority or dissenting voices, as seen in the Nullification Crisis.

Related terms

Spoils System: The practice of appointing political supporters to government positions, regardless of their qualifications, in exchange for political loyalty and campaign support.

Indian Removal Act: A law passed in 1830 that authorized the president to negotiate treaties that exchanged Native American tribal lands in the eastern United States for lands west of the Mississippi River.

Nullification Crisis: A conflict between the state of South Carolina and the federal government over the issue of states' rights, which threatened to lead to secession and civil war.