"The duties of all public officers are, or at least admit of being made, so plain and simple that men of intelligence may readily qualify themselves for their performance; and I can not but believe that more is lost by the long continuance of men in office than is generally to be gained by their experience."
— President Andrew Jackson, First Annual Message to Congress, 1829
Which of the following political developments during the Jacksonian era was most directly aligned with the ideas expressed in the excerpt?
- The widespread expansion of the spoils system to reward political supporters with government jobsAnswer
- BThe Marshall Court's rulings that consistently limited federal power and promoted state sovereignty
- CThe decline of factory production due to the Market Revolution prioritizing self-sufficient household economies
- DThe establishment of Federalist policies that restricted government administrative roles to wealthy merchants
Answer
The widespread expansion of the spoils system to reward political supporters with government jobs
The correct answer is correct because Andrew Jackson's statement in 1829 reflects his belief in the capacity of the 'common man' to hold government positions and his support for the rotation of officeholders. This policy, widely termed the spoils system, involved rewarding loyal Democratic Party supporters with government jobs, asserting that long tenure in office led to corruption.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Jacksonian Democracy and the spoils system