Final answer:
Andrew Jackson was popular among a broad base including urban workers, small farmers, and planters, contrary to the belief that he was supported by the elite. His popularity represented a shift to mass political parties and was part of the Jacksonian Democracy movement. Jackson became a symbol against elitism and for the common man.
Step-by-step explanation:
Contrary to the statement suggesting Andrew Jackson found his greatest support among the nation's wealthy and elite, historical records indicate that Jackson was actually popular with a much broader base. During his presidential campaigns, especially in the pivotal election of 1828, Jackson's followers cast him as the hero of the common man, successfully rallying support among urban workers, small northern farmers, southern yeomen, and southern planters. This surge of support from diverse social and economic groups helped Jackson achieve a sweeping victory both in the popular vote and the Electoral College.
His opposition, represented by figures like John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay, were viewed as elitist, which alienated many voters. Jackson's rise to prominence marked a significant shift in American politics from the control of a small group of Eastern elites to the inclusiveness of a mass political party system. This transition supported the rise of the Democratic Party and was part of a broader movement known as the Jacksonian Democracy, which was characterized by a greater emphasis on the will of the people.
In addition, Jackson's presidential campaigns and victories highlighted the declining significance of political factions and the increasing reliance on political parties to build voter support and deliver votes. Rather than aligning closely with the wealthy and elite, Andrew Jackson stood as a symbol against anti-elitism and for the ordinary citizen, thereby reshaping the landscape of American politics.