Final answer:
The 'Age of the Common Man' is associated with President Andrew Jackson and marked an era of expanded voting rights for white men and the celebration of the 'common man.' However, the period also involved controversial policies like Native American removal and growing complications over slavery, questioning the inclusivity of the democratic expansion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The era known as the 'Age of the Common Man' is often associated with President Andrew Jackson. This period in American history is characterized by an expansion of democracy with almost all adult white men gaining the right to vote by the late 1820s. Positions in government became elective rather than appointive, celebrating the image of the 'common man' and embracing an ideal of equality amongst white males, even as the disparity in wealth grew. However, this period also saw policies like the mass removal of Native Americans from their homelands and increased tensions over slavery, which complicates the legacy of the era.
Jackson, a war hero and a figure seen as representative of the common man, was the first president not born into an elite family. His assertive use of presidential powers like patronage and the veto reflected and reinforced the political shifts of his time, contributing to the changes in American democracy. Despite the esteemed democratic ideals of the era, the changes primarily benefitted white men while minorities faced continued oppression and exclusion, leading some historians to question whether 'Age of the Common Man' is an accurate depiction of this period.