Jacksonian Democracy
Jacksonian Democracy For quite some time Americans have been led to believe that during the 1820s and 30s, Jacksonian Democrats were the guardians of the people, and worked to improve the nation for the people. The truth remains, however, that during this period, President Jackson vetoed a bill to recharter the Bank of the United States of America, infringed on the rights of Native Americans, used "brute" force to bring Southerners under submission during the Tariff of 1832. He enacted the Spoils System which did not guarantee the best leadership, and was morally corrupt. Although the nation's economy and political democracy flourished during the reign of President Jackson, constitutional rights, equal opportunity and individual liberties were discouraged. In her 1834 visit to America, british author Harriet Martineau wrote of the nation's economy being strong and properous. The absence of poverty and ignorance and independence of every man are some of the observations she recorded (D). The national economy did in fact boom during the 1820s and early 30s. With Samuel Slater's introduction of the "Factory System" to America, and Eli Whitney's Cotton Gin, the United States' speed in manufacturing textiles increased rapidly. In 1837, however, America experienced a tremendous financial depression. Bad land speculation, and the fall of the Federal Bank (due to Jackson's failure to recharter the Bank in 1832) were the two main factors that caused the financial crisis. Consequently, along with the inflation of the nation's economy, working environments drastically changed. Quaint "master and apprentice shops" were quickly overtaken by uncomfortably crowded factories. While owners of assembly plants enjoyed a luxurious living, workers were subject to poor working conditions, low salaries, and meager meals. Because wages were so low, whole families