The Age of Jackson

The years roughly between 1824 and 1850 are called "The Age of Jackson." Andrew Jackson was the dominant political figure of the period, having served as President from 1829-1837, but his influence on American politics could be felt both before and after he left the executive mansion. At the same time, various "reform movements" affected American politics, and "democracy" became a rallying cry for disaffected Americans clamoring for a seat at the table. Jackson himself represented a changing of the guard, as he was the first President from a State outside of Virginia or Massachusetts. The West dominated American discourse, as men like Henry Clay changed the way Americans thought about federal power and politics.

This class examines these political, cultural, and economic currents through primary documents, from Henry Clay's "American System" and an appeal to "Vote Yourself a Farm" to John Randolph's attack on "King Numbers" and James Fenimore Cooper's definition of "American Equality" and James K. Polk's war message to Congress.

You will gain a better understanding for the period and perhaps draw some parallels between the "Age of Jackson" and our own political mess in the 21st century.