A Comparative Study of Jeffersonian and Jacksonian Democracy

This essay provides a comparative analysis of Jeffersonian and Jacksonian ideals, highlighting their differences and similarities in the context of American democracy. It explores their perspectives on various aspects such as the role of common citizens, the national bank, slavery, and the extent of federal government intervention. The essay discusses how both leaders shaped the political landscape of their respective eras, contributing to the evolution of American democracy, despite their contrasting views on issues like economic policy, social reform and individual liberties. The document concludes that while their approaches differed, both Jefferson and Jackson laid important foundations for the development of democratic principles in the United States. Desklib offers a wealth of similar resources for students seeking to deepen their understanding of American history and political science.

0Running head : JEFFERSONIAN & JACKSONIAN IDEALS
JEFFERSONIAN & JACKSONIAN IDEALS
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1
JEFFERSONIAN & JACKSONIAN IDEALS
Introduction
In the history of America, Andrew Jackson and Thomas Jefferson were two most
significant political figures both in two different centuries. Both created their personal way and
rules for democracy that changed the thinking of people about the American government. The
main aim of the discussion is to analyze the major difference between there thinking towards the
concept of democracy. Jeffersonian democracy as includes the ideals: It states that the main
objective of politics in America is republicanism—it is the duty of every citizen to assist the state
and withstand corruption and especially aristocracy and monarchism .However, according to
Jacksonian democracy the power of presidency need to be increased, this will increase public
participation with government.
Discussion
In the history, both Jeffersonian and Jacksonian had different point of views regarding to
the democracy. Both the ideals will compare from the aspects of economy and politics. Thomas
Jefferson was influential, follower and presenter for the common person and self-government.
According to the Democracy of Jeffersonian, a citizen was treated as eligible only when they
belong to average family rather than rich. Andrew Jackson was definitely a man of the people
(Leege, David C., and Lyman A. Kellstedt. Rediscovering the religious factor in American
politics, 2016).Similarly, Jackson was also in favor of all ordinary and citizens equally who were
equally qualified to serve. Main objective of both was that the common people are the biggest
influence for government, not the rich people. Jackson eventually started a system named "spoils
system" in which the officers who were holder for a long-term were removed from rotation. In

2
JEFFERSONIAN & JACKSONIAN IDEALS
addition, he changed the way of election and the way candidates were chosen as President.
Whereas, Jefferson’s time the election process was different, the people elected for the post of
president and vice president was based on the votes, the two highest votes were taken into
consideration for president and prime minister of America. On contrast to this, at the time of
Jackson, contender was preferred by a nominating procedure and the President and Vice-
President had their separate office. The people at that time had a particular attitude for the Bank
of United States, and this was comparable (Mead, Walter Russell. Special providence: American
foreign policy and how it changed the world, 2013).Jefferson was completely against national
bank and encouraged State banks. Thus, it leads to a conflict among the people who followed
Jackson and Jeffersonian and as result; the followers of Jackson went in opposition to the Second
Bank of America. Jackson won the war on the bank; the centralized takings were deposited in
state banks, while he wisely continued with national bank for withdrawing money. Moreover, in
aspect of religious and social was made clear. It was visible that, the attitude of each people
toward minorities was similar to each other. At some point of time, Jefferson doubted that Indian
and white civilization "savagery" can coexist, also he said that birth of men is for freedom and
not for slavery. He strongly felt that birth of women was subjected to only one person that is,
marriage and inferior towards their husband. In the voting process, Jefferson did not found any
reason behind allowing them to vote, as women’s were neither asked nor allowed to join the
political meetings. In the same way Jackson was also against slavery and in case of women,
some laws changed this lead to little betterment, although there were several reforms taking
place during the period Jacksonian Democracy (Trollope, Frances. Domestic manners of the
Americans, 2015). Among all the bills purposed by Jefferson , one was the bill for General
Education , according to this bill "everyone was allowed to get free education as much as

3
JEFFERSONIAN & JACKSONIAN IDEALS
possible irrespective of the wealth or birth". Whereas, in the time of Jackson , Jackson and his
fellow followers went against this programs which included free public education and
educational reform. According to him schools were became the restriction incase individual
liberty as it includes involves responsibility of parents and dented liberty of religion by replacing
cathedral schools. Further, Jefferson anticipated the Religious Freedom statue, thus separating
state and church and removing the personal right of spiritual faith from direct by communal law.
However, Jackson was against religious reform, as he believed that well-built federal
government limited individual. (Beard, Charles. An economic interpretation of the Constitution
of the United States , 2017).
More specifically, they are shown in the areas of politics, religion, economics and social
life. Jefferson and Jackson both had a negative thought towards the Native American. The
interpretations where both converge are, in Jefferson’s time, there existed a political party, which
thought that only prosperous men should govern. It was believed that wealthy man , knows best
how to manage the wealth and are capable of making decision which will be beneficial for the
government. Therefore, there would be no chance of having a government with bad structure
and they will think for the whole country not only about themselves. On the other hand,
Jackson's time, he followed the ideals of Jefferson's regarding the voting, so that small
businessperson and small farmers could vote. According to Jackson believes every, white male
was allowed to vote, irrespective and despite of how he managed his living (Croly,
Herbert. Progressive democracy, 2017). Both Jackson and Jefferson felt, there was no need of
women’s to get the right to vote and nor the slaves, they regarded this as useless, and the
majority of Indians were not interested to become the citizens of U.S. As there were many
places where their thought matched, there were also places where their ideals diverged. Jefferson

4
JEFFERSONIAN & JACKSONIAN IDEALS
was a man of the people, but as a person, he was a wealthy farmer and did every possible thing to
protect the welfare of the wealthy and the rich as a President. He continued with the Bank of the
US and purchased Louisiana from the French. On the other hand, Jackson was really the man of
the people (Chernow, Ron. Alexander Hamilton , 2016). He pressed for the flattening of the
National Bank. In spite of being the President, he used to interact with the common people and
always looked after them for every kind of help. According to Jefferson believes one was
allowed to vote who is wealthy enough, as if being wealthy was a qualification. Jackson did not
consider this as important. Jefferson felt that only educated person should hold the right to vote,
as they will be able to manage other people and the state. Whereas, Jackson believed that every
white men were entitled to hold office. In Jefferson time, he feared that industrialization might
harm the welfare of farmers. However, Jackson felt that development requires industrialization
as its main component (Bercovitch, Sacvan. The rites of assent: Transformations in the symbolic
construction of America, 2014). Jefferson was against the Bank of the United States (BUS) but
still allowed the peoples to continue with it. In time of Jackson, he demolished the use of BUS.
Jackson and Jefferson both owned slaves; Jefferson was against slavery and believed that one
day it will eventually end, whereas Jackson had no thoughts on slavery (Skocpol,
Theda. Diminished democracy: From membership to management in American civic life. ,2013).
Jacksonians believed the people's will had finally prevailed. Through a prolifically financed
alliance of state parties, news editors and political leaders, a popular association had nominated
the president (Remini, Robert V. Andrew Jackson: The Course of American Freedom, 2013).
The first well-organized national party included Democrats. The speeches, platforms, and
editorials were founded upon a broad agreement among Democrats. Wide ranges of thoughts
were shared regarding the fundamental assurance of Democrats in the Jeffersonian perception of

5
JEFFERSONIAN & JACKSONIAN IDEALS
an agrarian civilization (Benson, Lee. The concept of Jacksonian democracy: New York as a test
case, 2015). They viewed central government as an enemy for independence of an individual,
believed that government interference in the economy was beneficial for some special-interest
community, and formed community monopolies that favored the affluent. They wanted to restore
the independence of the ordinary people by banning the central supports of banks and
corporations and further restricting the use of paper currency (Laski, Harold J. The American
Democracy (Works of Harold J. Laski): A Commentary and an Interpretation, 2014).
Conclusion
The economic and political circumstances of the Jacksonian and Jeffersonian
Democracies were interrelated at some aspects and were diverged in some. Thus, it can be
concluded that in spite of having different views regarding the democracy, their ideas, opinions,
and laws helped to establish the base of democratic America.

6
JEFFERSONIAN & JACKSONIAN IDEALS
Reference
Beard, Charles. An economic interpretation of the Constitution of the United States. Routledge,
2017.
Benson, Lee. The concept of Jacksonian democracy: New York as a test case. Princeton
University Press, 2015.
Bercovitch, Sacvan. The rites of assent: Transformations in the symbolic construction of
America. Routledge, 2014.
Chernow, Ron. Alexander Hamilton. Head of Zeus Ltd, 2016.
Croly, Herbert. Progressive democracy. Routledge, 2017.
Laski, Harold J. The American Democracy (Works of Harold J. Laski): A Commentary and an
Interpretation. Routledge, 2014.
Leege, David C., and Lyman A. Kellstedt. Rediscovering the religious factor in American
politics. Routledge, 2016.
Mead, Walter Russell. Special providence: American foreign policy and how it changed the
world. Routledge, 2013.
Remini, Robert V. Andrew Jackson: The Course of American Freedom, 1822-1832. Vol. 2. JHU
Press, 2013.
Skocpol, Theda. Diminished democracy: From membership to management in American civic
life. Vol. 8. University of Oklahoma press, 2013.
Trollope, Frances. Domestic manners of the Americans. Broadview Press, 201