the eventual election of Andrew Jackson indicated which shift in the U.S. policy
The eventual election of Andrew Jackson indicated a shift in the U.S. policy known as Jacksonian Democracy. To understand this shift, let's go through the background and context:
1. Background: Before Jackson's presidency, there was a political era called the "Era of Good Feelings," during President James Monroe's administration. This era was marked by a lack of significant political party differences. However, in the early 19th century, political divisions began to emerge.
2. Rise of Jacksonian Democracy: Andrew Jackson, a military hero from the War of 1812, rose to prominence and became the face of a new democratic movement. His election in 1828 indicated the rise of Jacksonian Democracy, which brought about several shifts in U.S. policy:
a. Expansion of suffrage: Jackson's presidency expanded voting rights to a larger segment of the white male population, including farmers and poor working-class citizens. This was a departure from the previous land-owning requirement for voting.
b. Opposition to the national bank: Jackson was strongly against the Second Bank of the United States, viewing it as an elitist institution that consolidated economic power. He vetoed the rechartering of the bank, leading to its eventual dissolution. This action reflected a shift toward decentralized economic policy and states' rights.
c. Populism and anti-elite sentiment: Jacksonian Democracy emphasized the power of the common man against political and economic elites. It tapped into popular sentiment and found support among rural and frontier communities.
d. Manifest Destiny and westward expansion: Jackson also supported the idea of Manifest Destiny, the belief that it was the nation's destiny to expand its territory from coast to coast. This policy led to the forced removal of Native Americans from their ancestral lands, most notably the Indian Removal Act of 1830.
In summary, the election of Andrew Jackson indicated a shift in U.S. policy towards Jacksonian Democracy, characterized by expanded suffrage, opposition to the national bank, populism, and westward expansion. It represented a departure from previous political eras and an emphasis on the power of the common man.