The first paragraph contains the essay instructions.

During the Jacksonian Period, American politics were altered. What were the
most significant changes from previous policies? What were the long-term
implications of the new political methodology? Were the long-term results
beneficial or detrimental to the quality of government? Why? What was the
role of Andrew Jackson in this process? As a milestone in the continuing
democratization of the political process, how significant was this period?

And here is my answer.

As the Industrial revolution progressed in the Antebellum period, great

changes were sweeping the nation. The Enlightenment had stressed human
perfectibility and now the Second Great Awakening encouraged people to
improve themselves and society. Many reform movements sprang up and met
with varying degrees of success but one of the most significant and lasting
changes occurred in politics and became known as the Jacksonian Period.
Andrew Jacksons presidency was a significant milestone in the continuing
democratization of the political process. Jackson had a personal hand in some
of the changes though it may be more accurate to say his policies were a
product of the times. He set politics on a new course, propelled by the winds
of change.

One of the most revolutionary and lasting changes was in the way
presidential candidates ran their election campaign. As the states removed
property requirements for voting, more power was passed to the poor who
were previously excluded. At the same time the electorate was moving from
the legislatures to the people. Andrew Jackson and the Nashville Junto took
advantage of this in the election of 1824. Traditionally, candidates for the
presidency used the support of a political base in Congress for their
campaign. But Jackson, lacking political allies in Congress for his candidacy,
went straight to the people. This strategy was successful in wining the
popular vote over Adams by more than 30%. He also won the most electoral
votes but fell short of the required majority of 131 and the House of
Representatives put Adams in the Oval Office.

Over the next four years Jackson supporters redoubled their efforts to win

votes as the peoples candidate. Voters were rallied with barbeques and
parades while the political issues took a back seat to vicious attacks on the
character of opposing candidates. The lively campaigns played on peoples
hopes, fears, and prejudices and brought in unprecedented voter
participation. Jackson won the election of 1828 with an astonishing 56% of
the popular vote, ushering in a new political era called Jacksonian Democracy.

Much of the new style political campaigning was done by Jacksons

supporters while Jackson himself stayed home as was custom. But once in
office he took a larger role in changing the political process. Jackson used the
veto for his own political agenda, issuing a total of twelve during his two
terms. All of the previous presidents had a combined total of only nine
because they thought the veto should be used strictly for blocking legislation
believed to be unconstitutional. Jackson justified his actions by claiming that
he represented the people better than Congress because only the president is
elected by all the people. Many presidents since have made the same claim.

Most of the long term implications of the new political methodology were
beneficial to the quality of government. Some were not. From the Jackson era
politicians learned the value of smearing the image of political opponents
while remaining vague on important issues. But the formation of a two party
system that catered to the average man made the Union more democratic.
Before Andrew Jackson became president, the political arena was dominated
by the social elite who depended on the people to defer to the better sort.
Andrew Jackson was loved by the people for his iron will and charisma. He
was the first Westerner to become president, breaking the monopoly of the
wealthy Virginia planter and New England aristocracy. He was born poor and
rose to the highest office by his own strength of character. Andrew Jackson
reflected the image of the common man that the myth making imagination of
the country projected, developing strong bonds with the people that modern
politicians still strive for.

The people would no longer take a back seat to aristocracy. Anybody could
become president. Political parties were refined and organized toward
common people who were now turning up at the polls in large numbers. The
average man became important because of his political power and, rather
than be ignored by politicians, they were catered to, praised, and flattered by
those seeking office.