Analysis of the Absence of Founding Principles in the Jacksonian Era

This essay examines the Jacksonian Era, highlighting its deviation from the Founding Principles of the United States. It argues that despite the era's association with increased democracy, the principles of equality and limited government were largely disregarded. The essay focuses on the rise of slavery, the suppression of Native Americans, and the exclusion of women and Black individuals from equal rights and representation, demonstrating a clear contradiction with the ideal of "all men are created equal." While acknowledging arguments that the era expanded voting rights for white men, the essay emphasizes the restricted scope of these rights and the failure to uphold the Founding Principles for all citizens. The essay concludes that the Jacksonian Era, despite its democratic facade, significantly undermined the core values upon which the nation was founded.

Running head: ABSENCE OF FOUNDING PRINCIPLES IN THE JACKSONIAN ERA
ABSENCE OF FOUNDING PRINCIPLES IN THE JACKSONIAN ERA
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ABSENCE OF FOUNDING PRINCIPLES IN THE JACKSONIAN ERA
The Founding Principles, also known as the First Principles, had laid the foundation of
the Constitution of the United States. These founding principles included individual liberty,
federalism, limited government, private property, and representative government, “all men are
created equal”, amongst others (Burnham, 2017).
Under the “All Men Are Created Equal” principle, the people are ruled not by someone
with natural class or status but someone from any cast or class. This principle states that each
person possesses the equal unalienable rights including the right to happiness, the right to life
and so on (Burnham, 2017).
The Jacksonian Era, that began after Andrew Jackson rose to ascendancy in the year 1828
could be said to be an era that was devoid of the Founding Principles. Known ironically as
Jacksonian Democracy, the era saw the rise of slavery, suppression of the Natives and
celebration of white dominance (History.com, 2019). The principle of all men are equal was
completely ignored in this era. Although it is considered an era where authentic democracy was
visible, it was for the white men only and not even the women. The blacks were given the tag of
second-class citizens and slavery was on the rise in the Southern part. These facts reveal that the
Jacksonian era highly neglected or restricted all men are equal principle. Black individuals and
women did not have the right to elect their representatives. They were treated as second-class
citizens, which also go against the principle of equality for all (History.com, 2019).
Nonetheless, supporters of the Jacksonian era claim that the period was remarkable for
democracy and greater rights for the common masses because it allowed them to choose their
own representatives. The abolition of property ownership as mandatory for voting speaks in
favor of this argument. With that being said, most of these rights were given to the white men

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ABSENCE OF FOUNDING PRINCIPLES IN THE JACKSONIAN ERA
only. Therefore, the true essence of the Founding Principle of all men are equal was not realized
in this era.

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ABSENCE OF FOUNDING PRINCIPLES IN THE JACKSONIAN ERA
References:
Burnham, J. (2017). Congress and the American tradition. Routledge.
History.com. (2019). Jacksonian Democracy. Retrieved from
https://www.history.com/topics/19th-century/jacksonian-democracy