The Age of Jackson
The Age of Jackson, written by Arthur M. Schlesinger, focuses on the long lasting effects of Andrew Jackson on democracy and American politics. The novel starts off with Jackson’s life story, a lower-class boy from the west, raised by a single mother. After finding financial success on his own, he became well known for his military exploits, being a crucial factor in the Battle of New Orleans, and the acquisition of Florida from the Spanish. After the brief account of Jackson’s life, the author moves on to his administration, and stays with that topic for most of the book. By the time Jackson came to power, the nation had been drastically changed by the Industrial Revolution. The simple, pastoral, agricultural lifestyle was being replaced by the manufacturing world, of cities and factories. Politically, the nation was in great turmoil. There was still an everlasting debate among men in power, over what should prevail, the rights of the states, or the rights of the Federal Government. If not for several personal reasons, Jackson would have been a staunch advocator of states rights. The right to vote was still a major issue, the middle class feeling robbed of power in governmental decisions, the upper-class feeling threatened
Jackson, uneducated as he was, was a very shrewd man. Using the spoils system, he all but totally replaced the cabinet from the previous administration. By rewarding the men who had helped him reach his current state, he made it clear that the middleclass could improve their condition. The cabinet was no longer filled with wealthy men of status, but instead of more every day people. To conclude, this novel was very informative. It was very successful in detailing the transition from Jeffersonian to Jacksonian democracy, as well as outlining the significance of Jackson’s administration. Andrew Jackson was a pivotal figure in the foundation of our modern political system. His notions of equality, and empathy for the lower class, led to the power of political decision being granted to the masses, and the downfall of old, aristocratic ways that still plagued the government of the time. Jackson was different than any president that had preceded him. Even though Jefferson tried to steer away from any special recognition, and was really a very humble man, he was born into wealth. Jackson was the first United States president that was born into poverty. Son to a single mother, he made a name for himself without the aid of inherited wealth. He was the ideal which we hold so dear in American society today; he was a self made man, an inspiration to all of those not born into fortune. He embodied the American spirit,
Some topics in this essay:
Federal Government,
Jackson United,
Andrew Jackson,
National Bank,
Starting Jefferson,
Industrial Revolution,
Quincy Adams,
Florida Spanish,
Jeffersonian Jacksonian,
Arthur Schlesinger,
national bank,
middle lower classes,
jackson’s life,
single mother,
lower class,
andrew jackson,
lower classes,
power jackson,
middleclass jackson,
middle lower,
american society,
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Approximate Word count = 956
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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