The Jacksonian period from 1824 to 1848 has been characterized as the era of the "common man". Jackson's election to the presidency was based on the fact that he himself was not from a wealthy background, so in return, during his presidency, he openly supported the rights of the "common man". While the era did not always stay true to its name, both economics and reform movements meant that the Jacksonian period mostly lived up to its characterization as the "age of the common man." when asked, you need to understand Jacksonian principles and who Andrew Jackson was. Jacksonian democracy is defined as "the political movement toward greater democracy for the common man." From the beginning there is a principle that Jackson will promote as president that lives up to the characterization of the period. Jackson was born in 1767 in Waxhaw, South Carolina, to Scotch-Irish immigrants as a man The Americans were victorious at the Battle of New Orleans and he was later elected president in 1828. With this key victory Jackson was seen not only as a leader but as a hero from his nation. History has seen this happen in the past with the election of the first president of the United States, George Washington who was also a great military leader considered a hero due to the significant victories achieved in the "first" American Revolution. "In a confusing four-candidate presidential race in 1824, Jackson led the popular and electoral votes, but lost in the House of Representatives to John Quincy Adams through the influence of President Henry Clay. Jackson challenged Adams again in 1828... half of the newspaper ...intolerance towards the immorality of slavery. A movement to treat the insane humanely was undertaken by the reformer Dorothea Dix. She believed that the insane deserved better treatment since they were not criminals, they were simply sick , like Horace Mann, sought to equalize social classes by providing better, free education for the poor (a public education system). This cause was instrumental in igniting the flame of education that would spread like wildfire in the United States equality with men, women took advantage of this spirit of reform and proceeded with the Seneca Fall Convention in New York, 1848. Drafting a document similar to the Declaration of Independence, women sought equality in all aspects of life. These and other reforms in the 1840s were the direct result of the Jacksonian ideal that “celebrated the age of the common man”.