Andrew Jackson Development of the Penitentiary Movement

Jacksonian America: The development of the penitentiary movement Andrew Jackson is often labeled the first self-made man to become president. His most notable achievement during his presidency was that he radically expanded voting rights to all male citizens (slaves were not considered citizens at the time). The beginnings of the penitentiary movement (1829-1865) coincided with Jacksons tenure as the nations first populist president. His concept of a self-made man suggested that human beings could change, through sheer force of will. This notion of willed change is also reflected in the penitentiary movement, whereby criminals were encouraged to be penitent (hence the name penitentiary). To understand the radical nature of the penitentiary movement, it is first essential to understand the ideology to which the penitentiary system was a reply. In ages past, crime was viewed largely within the paradigm of retribution. For example, the classical theorist of criminology Cesare Beccaria v iewed the decision to commit or not commit a crime as a purely rational calculus. This meant that punishments had to be fairly severe as a deterrent. Criminals were not seen as fundamentally different from you or I, and reform was accomplished solely by a rational calculus of pain versus pleasure. Beccaria believed individuals possess freewill, rational manner and manipulability Ã¥  ith the right punishment or threat the criminal justice system can control the freewilled andShow MoreRelated Calvinism Essays1935 Words   |  8 PagesCalvinism is the theological system of John Calvin who exerted international influence on the development of the doctrine of the Protestant Reformation (Warfield, 2004). Calvin and his followers marked by strong emphasis on the sovereignty of God, the depravity of mankind, and the doctrine of predestination. This system was developed as a biblical Christianity. It has stirred countries such as Switzerland, Germany, France, Spain, England and America. C alvinist theology spread rapidly, and becameRead MoreCauses of Civil War Essay1835 Words   |  8 Pagesspecifically at the cause of the American Civil #War. There are five aspects that could of led to the Civil War and they are Westward Movement, Social Change, Froeign Policy Development, Government/Politics Development, and Economic Development. Out of the five aspects, Economic Development is the best reason for the eventual Civil War. First, Westward Movement could of led to American Civil War because of the Louisiana Purchase, Wilmont Proviso, Kansas-Nebraska Act, Popular Sovereignity, CompromiseRead MoreEnglish All Semester 26504 Words   |  27 Pagesten years fifteen years Question 11 (True/False Worth 5 points) The incident involving the strattlebug is a good example of humor through exaggeration. True False Question 12 (True/False Worth 5 points) Smileys frog is named Andrew Jackson. True False Question 13 (True/False Worth 5 points) The line He ketched a frog one day, and took him home, and said he calklated to edercate him is a good example of Twains efforts to capture the sound and flavor of oral tradition