It is reported that democracy is a process rather than a conclusion. In this context its goals are never fully realized. America made significant progress toward democracy during the years from Jefferson’s election in 1800 until the end of Jackson; when he picked Martin Van Buren and the subsequent elections of 1840. Scholars have shown that the Jacksonsian democracy had many defects. This essay strives to show the how different the American republic was under Jefferson than it was during the reign of Jackson.
On political suffrage, Jefferson believed that a property required was a test of character that a man of imitative should be able to meet (Rhoden, 2015). On the contrary during Jackson’s time the property requirements for voting had been eliminated. In this regard the success on political career was no longer measured using the property that one owned. Jefferson was of the ideology that the educated elite should rule though he promoted education for all to prepare the poorer individuals for public office. Jackson differed from this ideology in the sense that he believed all men were qualified to hold office and that political positions should be rotated (Rhoden, 2015). On nomination of president, during Jefferson time the presidential candidates were chosen by caucuses of political leaders. During the time of Jackson's reign, this aspect changed because there was introduction of nomination conventions.
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Economically Jefferson shows that the yeoman farmer was considered a chosen class. Jackson changed this idea buy expanding the class to fit the planter, farmers, laborers, and mechanics. Jefferson was opposed to industrialization and feared there would be many consequences if it was embraced in America. Jackson approved industrialization in the country and thought it was essential for the progress of American economy (Barber, 2017).
Corporate charters are an important element on every government. In this context, during Jefferson's time corporate charters were granted to favorite of state legislatures and often implied monopoly rights to a business. Jacksons rule changed this element of awarding charters to the favorites of state legislature; through the Supreme Court ruling the decision that corporate charters should be available to all who choose to risk starting a business (Wood, 2017). Both presidents disapproved having the Bank of United States while Jackson had shown an indication of disagreeing with the loose interpretation of the elastic clause, Jackson thought the bank would pro mote monopoly for the rich.
The on the social issue regarding slaves, each president had his own attitude towards it. Jefferson owned slaves but had an attitude that slavery was evil and that it would be eradicated with time. Jackson, equally owned slaves bit he did not show any interest in having it abolished. On the issue of equality for women and American Indians none of them regarded women or American Indians as equals. They both had negative attitudes towards these two groups (Barber, 2017).
Jefferson was an educated man and he believed education to be a necessity for office holding and for preparing citizens in accepting and progressing in matters of democracy. Jackson on the other was less educated and believed education did not mean much. Jefferson was of the idea that education and ambition were the major factors that could be used to achieve the upward social mobility success (Barber, 2017). However he failed to build support on his proposed system of public education. Jackson thought that economic progress was what pushed up the social mobility.
During the time of the two presidents, the separation of church and the state was accomplished. For instance during the reign of Jefferson, most state constitutions had eliminated established churches after the revolution. Similarly during the reign of Jackson, the states that had not eliminated the inclusion of church in state affairs continued to drop the church participation (Barber, 2017). For instance, Massachusetts ended the practice of church inclusion in running the state in 1834.
Some of the causes of the changes that took place in the democracy of the United States form the time of Jefferson to the end of Jacksons reign include the desire for equality, and dream for the common man. Jefferson managed to ring changes to the democracy because he had a vision for the united republic, there was desire to establish equal America. Other factors that Jefferson used to institute changes include having a limited government ad natural aristocracy (O'Brien, 2017). Jefferson was not of the support of elitism but he recognized that there was among men, natural aristocracy ability. He worked to eliminate the different among people and eradicate chances of unequal treatment. Jackson relied on a dream of the common man, the use of presidential veto and anglo-saxonsim to bring changes during his era (O'Brien, 2017).
The two presidents left a permanent imprint in American politics and presidency. Jackson introduced the national two party systems as one of his legacies in matter of democracy. He changed amercing political philosophies by showing that it is possible to use presidential vetoes to promote democracy (O'Brien, 2017). He showed that the future government should be simple, frugal and more accessible. He brought an ideology that a successful should work to minimize national debt. Other indications of a successful government that he introduced during his era are the economic equality and political liberty (O'Brien, 2017).
Jefferson managed to marginalize federalist as an effective national opposition party. He worked towards having a government that strictly follows the rule of law. Through his appointee of the John Marshal as the chief of the Supreme Court, the country progressed in having a strict rule. The government managed to establish self-preservation through the passing of the first law of nature and nations. The two presidents are acclaimed for promoting equal rights among citizens (O'Brien, 2017). Additionally, Jefferson is celebrated for articulating the American nation and aspects of self-governance. This are some of the factors that helped in established of the democratic early republic.
References
Barber, J. D. (2017). The presidential character: Predicting performance in the White House . Routledge.
O'Brien, P. R. (2017). The Historical Presidency: A Theoretical Critique of the Unitary Executive Framework: Rethinking the First ‐ Mover Advantage, Collective ‐ Action Advantage, and Informational Advantage. Presidential Studies Quarterly , 47 (1), 169- 185.
Rhoden, N. L. (2015). Religious Freedom: Jefferson's Legacy, America's Creed. The Journal of Southern History , 81 (1), 176.
Wood, J. S. (2017). Apostle of Taste: Andrew Jackson Downing 1815–1852.
