Jacksonian democracy facts for kids

Jacksonian democracy was a special time in American history, lasting about 25 years. It began when Andrew Jackson became president in 1828. During this period, some big changes happened in how the country was run and who got to participate.

These changes aimed to give more power to the "common man" and less to the wealthy elite. It was a time when many people felt that the government should serve ordinary citizens, not just a few powerful groups.

What Was Jacksonian Democracy?

Jacksonian democracy is the name for the political ideas and changes that happened in the United States from the late 1820s to the 1850s. It's named after President Andrew Jackson, who was a very popular leader. This era focused on making government more open to everyday people.

It was a time when the country was growing fast, and many new states were joining the United States. People were moving west, and there was a strong belief in individual freedom and opportunity.

New Voting Rules

One of the biggest changes during this time was about who could vote. Before Jackson, only white men who owned land were usually allowed to vote. This meant that many people couldn't have a say in their government.

During the Jacksonian era, this rule changed. Most states started allowing all white men over the age of 21 to vote, even if they didn't own land. This was a huge step towards more people participating in elections. It made politics feel more connected to the average person.

Less Government Control

Another important idea of Jacksonian democracy was to reduce the power of the national government. Many people believed that a smaller government would be better for individual freedom. They thought that too much power in Washington D.C. could lead to unfair rules.

President Jackson and his supporters wanted states and individual citizens to have more control over their own lives. They believed that local governments understood people's needs better than a distant national government.

Hands-Off Economy

Jacksonian democracy also supported an idea called laissez-faire (pronounced "less-ay fair"). This French phrase means "let do" or "let it be." In economics, it means that the government should interfere very little with businesses and the economy.

The idea was that if the government stayed out of the way, the economy would naturally work itself out. People believed that businesses would thrive and create jobs if they were free from too many rules and regulations. This approach aimed to give more freedom to individuals and businesses to make their own choices.

Images for kids

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  A Democratic cartoon from 1833 shows Jackson destroying the Bank with his "Order for the Removal", to the annoyance of Bank President Nicholas Biddle, shown as the Devil himself. Numerous politicians and editors who were given favorable loans from the Bank run for cover as the financial temple crashes down. A famous fictional character, Major Jack Downing (right), cheers: "Hurrah! Gineral!"

See also

In Spanish: Democracia jacksoniana para niños