|
The Monroe Doctrine was meant to dissuade the Spanish from attempting to recapture any of their former colonies in South America. It stated: "The American continents are henceforth not to be considered the subjects for future colonization by any European powers." |
|
1829 Age of Jackson Begins
|
|
|
Andrew Jackson's election, in 1828, is described as "the Revolution of 1828." It brought to power the first American President not rooted in the Eastern aristocracy. Jackson was the first President to be elected by a popular vote.
He was elected by the "common" man, and took actions based on that mandate.
Jackson's presidency is considered by many historians to be the beginning of the modern presidency, a presidency in which the power of the President increased immensely. Jackson was the first President to introduce the spoils system to national government, appointing individuals to position based on political support. This made the patronage that existed
on the state level predominate on a national level. While Jackson did appoint many of his supporters to office, no more then 1/4 of the federal officers were replaced by Jackson.
Jackson used the presidential power of the veto extensively. He vetoed more bills in his term of office than all the previous Presidents put together. Jackson was also the first to use the
"pocket veto." The pocket veto goes into effect when the President does not sign a bill within ten days of the end of the Congressional term. As a result, the bill does not become law.
Jackson used his function as the head of the party to enhance both his power and the power of the presidency. |
|
|
|
