1. The period before Jackson took office was marked by some very dramatic changes in American life. There was a great population movement into the cities from the countryside, and an increase in all kinds of industrial businesses. Transportation, such as trains, canals and roads, were developed at great speed. Perhaps the most important event was the establishment of universal manhood suffrage: al white men became eligible to vote.
2. Giving the vote to all white men was a radical idea to some. In the past only wealthy and educated men were considered fit and able to vote and be active in the government. Many believed that giving the vote to all would lead to misguided legislation because most of the people were "dissolute," "noisy," "disc
ontented," and "designing." For the same reason they feared the control of political "parties" by corrupt people.
5. There have been many studies and books written about this president. James Parton in 1859, wrote a balanced, "mixed" vies of his life and achievement. William Graham Sumner in 1882 wrote a very critical book of his life and times. Another important negative review of his life was done in 1932 by Thomas Abernethy. The most important book is probably Arthur Schlesinger, Jr's book from 1945. He saw Jackson as battling the strong business elite of the time in favor of the working man majority. Other later authors have interpreted Jackson in many different ways. Usually they see him in terms of their own age, and stress things wh
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