Final answer:
The spoils system under Andrew Jackson showcased his beliefs that government positions should be filled by those loyal to the party, ensuring that government mirrored the will of the majority rather than the elite minority. Despite being conducive to corruption, it was in line with the democratic ethos of the "Age of the Common Man," a period when Jackson sought to make the government more accountable to the general populace.
Step-by-step explanation:
The spoils system implemented during Andrew Jackson's presidency is a demonstration of his beliefs in the "Age of the Common Man." This system involved the appointment of party loyalists to government jobs. Jackson believed this would lead to a government that reflected the will of the majority and promoted the interests of the common citizen, rather than being run by an elitist minority. Controversially, this led to corruption and inefficiency as positions were often filled regardless of merit. However, the system reinforced Jackson's vision of a democratic government, more accountable to the majority, rather than benefiting the elite classes.
Jackson's rise to power, as a war hero and not from an elite background, was symbolic of the era's ethos. He championed the idea that government should serve the majority and that power should not monopolize by the privileged few. His policies of Indian removal, nullification, and dismantling the Second Bank of the United States were framed as measures to protect and empower the ordinary people against the entrenched interests of the powerful.