In American history, political parties have often taken responsibility of preserving the foundation in which America rested upon. During the 1820s and 1830s, Jacksonian Democrats heavily maintained the principles of the United States Constitution, protected individual liberties of Americans, and provided equality of economic opportunity for all people, of different classes. However, Jackson and his followers strayed from their beliefs once in a while.
Andrew Jackson became a well-known war hero during the war of 1812. Jackson defeated the British during the Battle of New Orleans which was fought two weeks after the war had already been successfully ended. During the election of 1824, Jackson had won more popular and electoral votes than any other candidates but had ended up losing the election. Since he had lacked the majority of votes required by the Constitution to win the election, the House of Representatives received the burden of choosing a president. Andrew Jackson had lost the election to John Quincy Adams. Jackson's supporters were greatly angered by this and fought even harder to get "Old Hickory" into office during the election of 1828. Jackson was a president unlike any other, he and his followers stood as a symbol for the common man.
The Jacksonians firmly believed in making the country better for every man, a government derived from the people. Andrew Jackson thought that all common men should be involved in the government, eventually he eliminated the requirements to vote. Jackson also believed that public officers serve the government, not themselves, and that they do not gain any experience from staying in office. Jacksonians therefore set up a policy of rotation in office. It was believed that since all men were created equal, as stated by the Constitution, all men could hold public office. Harriet Martineau, a British Author, was greatly impressed by the vast knowledge and lack of poverty established by the Jacksonian Democrats.