Assessing Optimism in the Jacksonian Era: Society and Humankind

This essay examines the hypothesis that general Americans held an optimistic view of humankind and American society during the Jacksonian Era (1829-1837). While President Andrew Jackson's tenure saw advancements in science, technology, politics, and the economy, fostering nationalism and patriotism, it also had significant drawbacks. Jackson's focus on materialism contrasted with the transcendentalist movement. His expansionist policies and efforts to unify the country were notable, as was the agricultural development that created employment opportunities and modernized infrastructure. However, the exclusion of blacks and women from full democratic participation and the displacement of indigenous populations contradict the idea of widespread optimism. The essay concludes that while optimism existed, it was limited to a select segment of the population, making the hypothesis only partially true. Desklib offers access to similar essays and study resources.

Running head: JACKSONIAN ERA
JACKSONIAN ERA
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Providing an exact estimation as a yes or no is not possible with regard to answering the
hypothesis that during the Jacksonian Era the general Americans had an optimistic view of
humankind and American society. This particular statement shall be analyzed in light of two
chosen readings, and the credibility of the statement shall also be demonstrated, in this essay.
As it has been hinted in the outset, that the statement is not absolutely true, however there
have been positive aspects observed during the reign of President Andre Jackson which makes
one feel that the state of democracy during that period was much more vibrant than it could have
been ever. During his eight year tenure from 1829 to 1837, President Jackson had brought about
drastic development in the field of science, technology, politics and economy. It was the era
marked by an unprecedented rise of a sense of nationalism, patriotism and optimism, owing to
the fact that President Jackson had imbibed the feeling of belongingness to the country in the
minds of the common citizens of the country by promoting materialism and materialistic welfare
to the masses. This particular feature of his presidency was a counter reaction to the
transcendentalist movement which had originated in Massachusetts. The movement preached
that the human beings must cherish the simplistic aspects of life instead of being obsessed with
the materialistic benefits of life. President Jackson had made the masses give up on that culture
of being irrational. That had aided in the growth and the development of the country, and had
imbibed the quality of being ambitious amongst the masses (Holt, 2004). Politically, President
Jackson had embarked upon expansion on a massive scale. He had curbed the powers of the
Republic of Mexico by means of annexing the territories of Texas and California, which had
increased the national glory of the United States of America. Not just internationally, he had also
subdued the divisive forces in the country and had had tried to bring about a unity in the country
by reconciling the various factions. Agriculture flourished during his reign as he had reclaimed

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the unproductive but highly fertile lands for the cultivation of both food and cash crops. Through
that he had expanded the employment opportunities in the country, and had with the revenues
earned developed the communication facilities and modernized the country. On an overall basis,
the most profound contribution of his had been living up to the principle that America was a
democracy and his reign rested upon the people (Boyer, 2012).
However, there were some serious lacunas in his reign, which belies the chosen
hypothesis partly. He considered the blacks and the women to be second class citizens and that
they could be excluded from the fold of democracy. A democracy which is exclusionary cannot
be called as democracy in its truest sense (Boyer, 2012). Moreover the modernization and
development project which he had embarked upon had been at the cost of displacing the native
indigenous population of the country. Thus it can be said that President Jackson had definitely
brought forth glory for the country but that was to be cherished only a chosen section of the
population depriving a particular section of the society of the benefits to be realized (Holt, 2004).
However, it would be wrong to consider his reign as totally undemocratic. Thus the exact answer
to the thesis statement would be that the Americans had optimistic view about politics and
humankind during the Jacksonian Era, but it was limited given the fact that the achievements of
the society was enjoyed and partaken by a selected section of the society.

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References
Boyer, P. S. (2012). American History: A Very Short Introduction (Vol. 334). Oxford University
Press.
Holt, M. F. (2004). The fate of their country: Politicians, slavery extension, and the coming of
the Civil War. Macmillan.