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
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.
Throughout the 1830-1840’s the opposing governmental parties, the Jacksonian Democrats and the Whigs, undertook many issues. The Whigs were a party born out of their hatred for President Andrew Jackson, and dubbed his harsh military ways as “executive usurpation,” and generally detested everything he did while he was in office. This party was one that attracted many other groups alienated by President Jackson, and was mainly popular among urban industrial aristocrats in the North. On the other hand, the Jacksonian Democrats were a party born out of President Andrew Jackson’s anti-federalistic ideals that was extremely popular among southern agrarians. A major economic issue that the two parties disagreed on was whether or not the United States should have a National Bank. Along with the National Bank, the two parties also disagreed on the issue of the Protective tariff that was enforced to grow Northern industry. Politically, the two parties disagreed on the issues of Manifest Destiny, or expansion, and ultimately Slavery. While the two parties essentially disagreed on most issues, there are also similarities within these issues that the two parties somewhat agree on.
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
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.
Throughout the period dating from 1801 to 1817, the United States government was primarily controlled by the Jeffersonian Republican party, whereas the Federalist Party began to slowly fade away from public view. The Jeffersonian Republican party, led by Thomas Jefferson, professed to favor a weak central government through the support of more states' rights, "...that the states are independent... to...themselves...and united as to everything respecting foreign nations." (Document A). The Federalists of the United States were known as the loose constructionists, where if there is something which the constitution does not state, then it should be allowed to be done. The Jeffersonian Republicans were known as strict constructionists for their views towards the constitution that if there is anything that is not in the constitution, then it cannot be done. The Jeffersonian Republican party centered many of their political moves on the basis of creating a strong agricultural society with a weakly centralized government where each of the states have more rights to govern themselves, where the Federalist party believed more strongly on industrializing the nation and creating a strong central government. Even though strict constructionism was the idea behind the Jeffersonian Republican party, both Thomas Jefferson and James Madison both have evidence against them which can prove that they were not strict constructionists. This is based on different political moves made by these two presidents which are more towards the Federalist side of things opposed to their own Republican and strict constructionist ideas.
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.
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.
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
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.
Jacksonian Democrats help create a more democratic America and because of this, believed themselves to be many things, real and fictional. In most cases they perceived themselves as defenders of equal economic opportunity, even though they sometimes put their own interests before those of the people. They also thought of themselves as guardians of political democracy, while at the same time using class differences to their advantage and emotionalized speeches, lacking real intellectual merit, to stir support. Jacksonian Democrats felt that they were the protectors of the Constitution and of individual liberties but many times they put their rivalry with the Northeastern industry and Whig politics before these things. While Jacksonians have much correct in their view of themselves as guardians of political democracy, equal economic opportunity and individual liberty, they were often more important in developing these concepts than protecting them.
During The Jacksonian Era many different views and ideas were predominant about the United States. The Jacksonian Democrats were a loose coalition of different peoples and interests pulled together by a common practical idea. That idea was that they all were followers of President Andrew Jackson. Jacksonian Democrats viewed themselves as guardians of the Constitution when in fact they were not. When dealing with politics and ideas within the Democratic Party of the time the Jacksonians proved to be both guardians and violators of the Constitution. Individual liberty is another area in which the Jacksonians were advocates to different sides of the topic at different times. The Jacksonians also proved to be champions for equality of economic opportunity. The Jacksonians demonstrated themselves to be, not the proponents they thought they were, but instead violators of the US Constitution.
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.
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
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.