Jacksonian Democrats strove to expand political democracy by increasing the common man’s activity in voting. They abolished the law that required white males to own land in order to vote, which resulted in the voting power to shift dramatically westward. Not only would this help the working man become an active part in politics but also, since President Andrew Jackson was “Champion of the Common Folk”, it would help him to gain more votes in coming elections.“ The Working Men’s Declaration of Independence” is an excellent example of how political democracy was protected. Jackson also used the spoils system and awarded those who were loyal to the party by assigning them a governmental office. The president had completed so much that in a visit to the United States in 1834, British reporter Harriet Martiuneau was “in a state of awe” over how the United States was in such
Jacksonian Democrats did very little to expand in the areas regarding individual liberties. The right to vote was still restricted to white males and nothing was done to improve this for blacks, American Indians, and slaves. The South Carolina Acts and Resolutions discriminated against anything that was antislavery or black freedom. The Trail of Tears proves that Jackson had no concern in improving Native American life. When Philip Howe witnessed riots in Philadelphia, he commented on how the hostility was aimed towards anyone with dark skin. Even the free northern blacks who were considered citizens were also seen lower than the lowest white class. The only exception in which the Jacksonians might have been more open minded towards individual liberties is the common folk. However, even this can be used against them because most of the common folk referred to are white males who were
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