The Revolutionary Age Of Andrew Jackson
Subject Matter
The Age of Andrew Jackson was a time of revolution when enormous changes were “shaking and transforming America.” Prominent figures “wrestl[ed] with the nation’s prospects and with each other,” further shaping the people and its democratic government. (Remini, i) Every decision Jackson and his men made in some way or another affected the social, economical, and political aspects of life in the Age of Jackson. Once Andrew Jackson took office, the people immediately embarked on a journey to develop a closer relationship with the government. Though conflicts, many times over particular issues concerning the nation’s practices and patterns, occurred between the President and Congress, Jackson proved to be a “living symbol of the advance of American democracy” and, eventually, Congress seemed to agree. (Remini 27)
The Revolutionary Age of Andrew Jackson is arranged into three parts, or “books”. Each describes events primarily through the accounts of prominent historical figures such as Webster, Clay, and Jackson. The events, spanning from westward expansion to the days of Jackson, are presented chronologically.
Book I of The Revolutionary Age of Jackson, titled “A New Age” talks of how “American society itself had changed.” The nation simply “throbbed and pulsed with energy.” People began to believe in equality of opportunity. They believed that “no one should have special privileges… Government must… prevent any one from gaining an advantage over the others.” (Remini, 15) Many issues had also risen, many concerning preserving the Union, slavery, Indian presence, and etc. And “central to all these issues” was Andrew Jackson.
Jackson’s election “marked a new beginning in the relationship between the government and the people” Never had there been such an inauguration of a President. Never before had the “ordinary citizen—the common man—so spontaneously expressed his...
Please login to view the full essay...