The rise of Andrew Jackson to the presidency in 1829 signaled a change in American politics. Born in Tennessee, Jackson became the first President from the West. He was also the first President elected on a wave of popular support, rather than through political parties. Although "The Age of Jackson" didn't bring perfect political, economic, and social equality to all Americans and many may agree to his presidency as promoting monarchism; Jackson's presidency did mark a growth of democracy in the United States. There were several political, economic, and social factors affected by Jackson's presidency. .
Jackson was very popular with the common man and exemplified the self-made Westerner image: a person with few ideas but strong convictions. An important political factor that stimulated democracy was the removal of the Caucus method with the National Convention. Under the caucus system, elite members chose the candidates for president. But, under the National Convention, the public chose the delegates to best represent them, and these delegates in turn chose the candidates for president. This portrayed more of an effective and direct form of democracy, because the public chose the delegates who would choose the candidates, instead of a few elite members doing so. Jackson promoted democracy by including a national nominating committee. In his presidency, Jackson ignored his appointed Cabinet officers and relied instead on the counsel of his "Kitchen Cabinet", a group of prominent journalists and editors of influential newspapers across the United States. Jackson abandoned official cabinet meetings, and instead met with members of the Kitchen Cabinet to discuss important issues and propose laws. By doing this, Jackson heard the voice and opinions of the majority of the population across the United States because the editors and journalists reflected those of the population. Another political perspective under Jackson's presidency that led to the growth of democracy was the Spoils System.
