The Evolution of Democracy from the Time of President Jefferson to President Jackson
Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson were presidents of the United States, and they both ruled in different ways. Jefferson was the third president of America from 1801 to 1809 while Jackson took office from 1829 to 1837 (Cheathem, 2018). The evolution of democracy was different from Jefferson to Jackson’s time in terms of how candidates were chosen, how the citizens were treated, and the form of the American republic.
According to the form of the American republic, Jefferson visualized independence through agriculture and strong governance of the nation thus had a good military army. Besides, he believed that by depending on farming, America could be more independent other than relying on manufactured items. Hamilton used his powers from the government to favor the merchants in the North who enriched themselves in the process (Sehat, 2016). Jefferson disagreed with Hamilton and insisted on agriculture in the south strongly believing that relying on centralization and industrialization could cause many problems for the state in the future.
However, during the ruling of President Jackson, he enabled an equal political system where all white men were allowed to vote even if they were not landowners. Besides, Jackson destroyed the First Bank of the United States, even ordering the Secretary of the Treasury to remove the government’s money from the bank (Kahan, 2016). President Jackson promoted democracy by destroying the bank since it fully supported the rich and neglected the poor in America. Jackson also supported industrialization in America and believed it was a better way for the nation. However, during Jefferson’s ruling women, blacks, and some white men were not allowed to vote. Only the rich and landowners had the right to vote in America which is different from President Jackson’s time.
During the times of President Jefferson, he opposed slavery but did not act right. Besides, he owned many slaves from Africa and America, and always talked of his fight against slavery in the United States. Jefferson had revolutionary ideas on slavery but he fatefully depended on the institution of slavery (Pirzedah, 2017). However, he fought for what was right and wanted human rights to be respected despite their race. President Jefferson even offered to train the slaves so they could find a way of living once released.
Unlike Jefferson, President Jackson did nothing about slavery and also owned many slaves. Moreover, during his time, the slaves were harshly treated and even forced some Americans from their land. Jackson also benefited from the slaves and even took some to the White House to work. The issue of slavery made Jackson a bad president than Jefferson who fought for equality of everyone.
Jefferson valued education, thus founding the University of Virginia after leaving the presidency. Also, he knew that through education the citizens of the United States could know of their rights and responsibilities in the nation. Jefferson’s support for education helped in the fight against slavery since the people learned of their rights and could not be violated. President Jackson never received any formal education right from his childhood, therefore did not have much interest in education in America. However, he put pressure on his family and relatives who underwent formal education and excelled.
Regarding the relationship between the state and church, President Jackson highly believed that the church should be separated from the church. Jackson was a religious man and even founded the Hermitage Church in Virginia. Besides, he believed that separating the church from the state would prevent the government from interfering with church matters. President Jefferson also supported the separation of the church from the state since it meant religious freedom to the people of the United States.
Also, President Jefferson believed that once an individual was educated, eligible, and could rule America they would hold any position in the office. He stood for equality of the citizens of the United States which made him a good president. Besides, Jackson also had no rules on office holding and it was free for all.
Jefferson did not trust the banks in the United States and believed they were the rise of corruption and debts. Also, President Jackson disliked the banks which led to him destroying the first bank of the United States. Both presidents were right and showed sincere concern for the people’s rights which were being violated through the banks. Moreover, while Jefferson preferred a small government that would help reduce debts and corruption, Jackson wanted a full government during his time.
The difference in ruling between the two presidents of the United States was caused by different personalities, education, religious background, and beliefs. President Jefferson’s rule influenced the future of the United States in that the nation’s economy was stabilized and the quarter-century ruled was established in Virginia. Also, Jackson established white men’s suffrage and democracy flourished during his rule. Jefferson impacted the current education status by establishing libraries and schools. Besides, both presidents helped the issue of separation between the church and state, hence religious freedom.
From the discussions above, Jefferson and Jackson’s ways of ruling the United States were different but similar in some ways. The changes they made had significant effects on the future development of the United States and the way people live. Finally, the citizens of America were affected both positively and negatively by the presidents’ rulings, thus making them both good and bad in some situations.
References
Cheathem, M. R. (2018). The Coming of Democracy: Presidential Campaigning in the Age of Jackson. JHU Press.
Kahan, P. (2016). THE BANK WAR: Andrew Jackson, Nicholas Biddle, and the Fight for American Finance. Financial History, (116), 28.
Pirzadeh, H. B. (2017). Thomas Jefferson: The Fight Against Slavery. URJ-UCCS: Undergraduate Research Journal at UCCS, 11(1), 8-27.
Sehat, D. (2016). The Jefferson Rule: How the Founding Fathers Became Infallible and Our Politics Inflexible. Simon and Schuster.