Andrew Jackson was the first president in the history of the United States to have been of humble origins. His election showed that lineage did not ensure a place in office. Jackson wanted to appeal to citizens by being a "common man."
Americans during this time period largely identified as "middle class," and now they all had the right to vote. Jackson was an ideal middle class man. He had been born in a log cabin, orphaned at 14, suffered bankruptcy and fought in the Revolutionary War. Despite his shortcomings, made a fortune for himself and became a president. The story was very popular among his followers.
I think one way the British attempted to take control of the India subcontinent was that they removed India from a British company and placed it in the hands of Queen Victoria, who took it over.
