Jacksonian Democracy was a period in American history lasting from the start of Andrew Jackson's presidency in 1828 until approximately the 1840s. The impact of this period, however, extends well beyond these dates. The policies enacted during the Jacksonian era expanded voting rights and extended the country's borders, but also put in place the spoils system which would divide the country for many decades and even lead to the assassination of a future president, as well as a decentralized economic system that would lead to cyclical recessions.