The shift in voter turnout as demonstrated in the graph was a result of suffrage being opend up to more white men. The graphs show that voter participation increased signficantly between 1836 and 1840. Suffrage originally was limited to wealthy, land-owning, and Protestant white men. However, during Jackson’s time these limitations became more relaxed until all white men were eligible for voting (including immigrants). In most states property requirements were lifted and religion was not a requirement to vote. However, eventually universal white male suffage was achieved in the United States of America. With larger voter pools, the amount of people voting increased. Jacksonian Democracy impacted voter participation because for the first time there were more people voting in elections. This benefitted Jackson because the people voting tended to be more of his audience. Jackson tried to appeal to the common man by claiming he was a common man. Jackson himself was a former war hero with little experience in politics. He had made a name for himself during the War of 1812 and the election prior to his presidency he was considered robbed of the title due to alleged shady deal made by former President John Quincy Adams. The common men Jackson generally appealed to included more middle class white men. As a result, with his targeted demographic of people voting increased, Jackson benefitted and was elected. Furthermore, during Jacksonian democracy politics were expanded to include more white men as said earlier. This correlation was beneficial to Jackson and probably a driving factor. IN all, the increasing voter participation was a result of greater suffrage, however it did not include people of color, Native Americans, or women. Only in the passing of the 15th Amendment was voting opened to African Americans and only after the passing of the 19th Amendment were women allowed to vote.
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This response shows a comprehensive understanding of the question. It is insightful and completely integrates knowledge to thoroughly answer the question. Both bullets are answered with details, and the response demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of U.S. history. The first bullet is clearly answered with the first few sentences (The shift in voter turnout as demonstrated in the graph was a result of suffrage being opend up to more white men. The graphs show that voter participation increased signficantly between 1836 and 1840. Suffrage originally was limited to wealthy, land-owning, and Protestant white men. However, during Jackson’s time these limitations became more relaxed until all white men were eligible for voting . . . including immigrants). The second bullet is explained with details as well (Jacksonian Democracy impacted voter participation because for the first time there were more people voting in elections. This benefitted Jackson because the people voting tended to be more of his audience). Insightful statements are present as well (IN all, the increasing voter participation was a result of greater suffrage, however it did not include people of color, Native Americans, or women. Only in the passing of the 15th Amendment was voting opened to African Americans and only after the passing of the 19th Amendment were women allowed to vote).
