There were many ways that the style of politics differentiates in the Jacksonian and Jeffersonian era. In the beginning of the Jeffersonian era, the Federalist played a huge role on who they wanted to become president and didn’t give any else a opportunity to vote. When Thomas Jefferson became president of the United States, it was a big turning point in America politics During this period the the Federalist faded as a political force, although their ideology continued to influence the country for years in decision made by the supreme court. The Jacksonian era was the first period where the political system came to age. More people were able to vote and they were exercising their right to do so. A lot of things were introduced like party
convention and platforms. Also political parties became the established fact of the American life.
It is agreeable that the Jacksonian Democrats perceived themselves as strict guardians of the United States Constitution. It is not agreeable with how they went about preserving the political democracy, individual liberty, and equality of economic opportunity they stood for. While trying to create this balance, Jackson used tactics favorable only to his opinion. Jackson’s main idea was to rid of aristocracy, giving the power to the poorer classes, standing against rich white men. The flaw in their scheme was that the people who came up with this idea were all rich white men.
During the 1820’s - 1830’s America went through some would call a political revolution when government issues were diverted from being only for the elite to now they would include the common man as well. This change of power brought a lot of power to the people contributing to the Jacksonian democratic belief of guarding the Constitution. Yet, many of the people under Jackson still saw no change in their liberties, as they did not meet the Jacksonians target audience of white males. Despite expanding the political conversation, Jacksonian Democrats used the Constitution to limit individual liberty and political democracy by only protecting the rights of only a select few of people and seeking to fulfill their goal of obtaining their own gain and maintenance of the then status quo lifestyle therefore not truly guarding the Constitution.
The Jacksonian Democrats and Whigs were predominantly opposing forces in the 1830-1840’s; however, one can see instances where they worked together in certain Political and Economic issues. Economically, the Jacksonian Democrats were against the National Bank and Protective Tariff, while the Whigs supported it, and politically, the Jacksonian Democrats were more liberal, calling for the rapid expansion and growth of the country and slavery while the Whigs were more conservative on the issues of Manifest Destiny and slavery. Jacksonian Democrats were essentially greatly Anti-Federalist, supporting law and actions that reduce the amount of power of the federal government, while the Whigs were mainly federalists who supported the federal government and sought to make it stronger through their various economic and political policies.
Both Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson had similar economic views while being president. However that doesn't mean they agreed on everything. Thomas Jefferson was in favor of state banks. Andrew Jackson was also in favor of state banks. Thomas Jefferson had won the bank war and took money from federal sanpoints and put it into state banks. The bank war was the struggle of developing the second national bank chartered during Andrew Jackson’s
From 1812-1828, the political parties (Democrat and Republican) did not matter, because presidential elections were chosen by congress, without consulting the popular opinion. At this time, rapid expansion caused the banks to loan lots of money, and the banks hurt many people who were unable to pay their debt. People got involved in politics to fight the banks. Due to the banks hurting people, Jackson, too, wanted to fight them in politics. Striving for an end to corruption, in the famous “Jacksonian Democracy”, he became president in
Thomas Jefferson has served many roles during his life in America. He is considered a founding father, an author of Declaration of Independence, and also president of the United States. Through all of his roles in the United States he produced his ideals and ways of handling situations by blending many types of philosophies such as; Christian ethics, liberalism, republicanism, and Scottish morality mostly from David Hume. The two philosophies he based his governance and stances on came from Classical Republicanism and Lockean Liberalism. Jefferson was not crippled to one ideal, he used both Classical Republicanism and Lockean Liberalism in certain aspects in America. Jefferson decided he would use both Classical Republicanism and Lockean Liberalism
As the young colonies of America broke away from their mother country and began to grow and develop into an effective democratic nation, many changes occurred. As the democracy began to grow, two main political parties developed, the Jeffersonian Republicans and the Federalists. Each party had different views on how the government should be run. The Jeffersonian Republicans believed in strong state governments, a weak central government, and a strict construction of the Constitution. The Federalists opted for a powerful central government with weaker state governments, and a loose interpretation of the Constitution. Throughout the years, the political parties have grown, developed, and even dispersed into totally new factions. Many of the inconsistencies and changes can be noted throughout the presidencies of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.
Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson were two very influential figures in American political history. Even though they both were in two different eras, they shaped the American government and the way people think about it. They both have similarities, but they do have differences as well that includes political rights, religious rights and even economic rights.
The presidential election of 1828 introduced new election components and techniques for political campaigning that drastically altered the American political system. Until 1828 presidential campaigns were conflicts over ideology, focused primarily on issues and policy not on individuals. Presidential candidates either leaned towards a larger centralized government to secure liberties or a decentralized government, often referred to as a ‘ true republic’, which allotted states and thus individuals more freedom. While these opposing viewpoints can be defined as Federalist or Republican, partisanship did not play a significant role. The 1828 campaigns of Andrew Jackson and John Quincy Adams changed all that, the focus shifted from policy and issues to character, image and party rhetoric thus altering future elections and politics in America.
Jacksonians protected the individual liberty for the white man. Again, the "Trail of Tears" and the "Indian Removal Act" are examples of times when Jacksonian Democrats were not protectors of individual liberty.
Democracy, a new form of government, a government for the people, was seen in different lights. As time progresses, the government becomes firmer in its regime and doctrine, yet keeps the same focus; for the people. The United States was created for the people, and by the people, and the need for the people to continue to be the main focus was crucial. However, once Jackson was elected president, the idea of people staying the main focus of government began to falter. Those who support Jackson wished for something in return, and Andrew Jackson supported the rights of the spoils system, thus giving his people the seats they thought they deserved. However, as time went on, the focus on the people slowly changed to what those in those special seats wanted. Jacksonian Democrats, who viewed themselves as the guardians of the United States Constitution under the presidency of Andrew Jackson claimed to have held the interest of the common people in high regard, altering not only our Forefathers’ electoral processes but the government as a whole. However, through their actions toward their common people, the uprooting of Native Americans, and the fatality of a national bank, they eventually created a larger mess than just a “kitchen cabinet” could withstand.
Tempers were running high on November 6, 1860 when Republican Party member, Abraham Lincoln won the presidency of the United States of America. One month later on December 20, 1860, the state of South Carolina seceded from the Union. South Carolina stated on her Declaration of Causes of Succeeding that “the frequent violations of the Constitution of the United States, by the Federal Government, and its encroachments upon the reserved rights of the States” justify her succussion. The tariffs of 1828 and 1832 annoyed South Carolina who said that she would not enforce the tariffs. President Jackson, who is now replaced with President Lincoln, created the Nullification Act which sanctioned military force against any state that resisted the tariff.
Jacksonian Democrats stood up for the view they had of themselves in their attempts to preserve the United States Constitution by furthering the progress in political democracy, individual liberty, and equality of economic opportunity. President Jackson and his certain ideals captured the minds of many people which resulted in many votes towards him. Some would even characterize Jackson as a hero, having defeated the British at the Battle of New Orleans and climbing his way up to wealth from poverty; the American Dream.
Throughout the history of this nation, we have rightfully honored the Founding Fathers for their key role in the building of our country. The revolutionary steps they took to craft a new nation representative of freedom, opportunity, democracy, and equality under the law place them in the upper echelon of American historical figures, and over time they've reached mythical status— more demigods than real people. However, it is important to note that the idea of complete political unity or identical ideologies and styles among the Founding Fathers is a mistaken one. The realities of early American politics show that, despite having previously united over the common
Jeffersonian and Jacksonian Democracy Jeffersonian and Jacksonian democracy are the same in just about every regard. Their views and goals as presidents are the same. Both are in favor of the common man and feel that it is the common people who should have the biggest influence on government, not the wealthy aristocrats. They also support states rights and feel that the federal government should not get involved with the state affairs. Both men's actions clearly show that the common man does not include minorities.