Chapter V: The Great Experiment Summary and Analysis

The age of Andrew Jackson was also known as the Age of the Great Experiment because many Europeans looked at America as the "great experiment." By the end of the 1850s, America had established the modern political party system and the concept of government of the people was permanently in place.

1. Let the People Rule

Every man (at least white man) had a stake in society regardless of wealth and position. The right to vote was based solely on having citizenship. There was no longer a requirement to be a property owner. Governors were elected by the citizens of the state, not appointed by the central government. Judges were also elected by the people and states wrote their own constitutions. The Age of Andrew Jackson was characterized by a deeply held belief in...