POLITICAL REFORM: THE JACKSONIAN ERA (1829-1841)

Alexis de Tocqueville and other visitors from Europe noticed a different spirit in America than existed in European countries, de Tocqueville viewed with wonder the egalitarian system that he observed in virtually all aspects of American life. Many political changes both before and during the presidency of Andrew Jackson accentuated the sense that the “common man” reigned in this era.

Changes were already taking place in how presidential candidates were chosen. In 1800 only five states chose electors to the Electoral College by popular vote. By 1824, 18 out of 24 states chose electors in this manner. By the 1824 campaign, banners, posters, buttons, and hats were commonplace (the 1828 campaign was the first time when these were mass-produced).

In addition, more and more people could vote. By 1824 the property qualification, long a method to keep the “rabble” away from the political process, had been eliminated in most states. Blacks (even free blacks in the North) and women were still excluded from the political process.