If the characterization used in the Jacksonian Period is meant to illustrate an increase in the accessibility of the average American to have an impact on the affairs of his or her country, the depiction unfortunately does not portray an accurate account of the "common man's" place in America at that time. There was practically no urge for reformation. Throughout the period plantation owners still thought of slaves as property, and the American Colonization Society classified blacks as a corrupted race that had no place in America. In fact, the society tried to send blacks who were naturally born Americans to an unknown African terrain. Women were denied the right to vote and could not own property within marriages. When females did try and protest slavery at the World's Antislavery Convention, held in 1840, they were directed into a screened-off section. The "common man" was still a misfit in a nation stuck in past conventions. Not all people had a voice in society, let alone national government. .
The average person had no say in the dealings of government. The Election of 1824 proved that the area of politics was concerned with a battle over power rather than the will of the people. Four candidates of the same party ran against each other. By swinging the vote, Henry Clay allowed John Q. Adams to become president even though Andrew Jackson had the votes of most Americans. In return Clay became secretary of state. However, not all eligible voters had a voice in the initial election to begin with because at the time six states chose electors to vote on the president. Political parties used luring activities such as barbecues to win votes to have power. Often the parties sided with the popularity so that it could remain the majority party. As long as the party could appeal to the ideas of the people it would remain in control and make decisions that would ultimately affect the nation.
