Sample Essays
The Jacksonian Democrats viewed themselves as the guardians of the United States Constitution, political democracy, individual liberty, and the equality of economic opportunity.
In light of the following documents and your knowledge of the 1820's and 1830's, to what extent do you agree with the Jacksonians' view of themselves?
A
The Jacksonian Democrats believed that they protected the Constitution, democracy, individual liberty, and economic opportunity. Generally, these views are valid. But the individualism of Jacksonians at times got carried away and was taken advantage of, and other individuals did not benefit from Jackson's opportunities.
Andrew Jackson was a strong supporter of individual rights. He greatly expanded the electorate during his presidency, allowing manhood suffrage without property restrictions. This created a more universal electorate, and gave the common man a say in government. This is evident in Harriet Martineau's report, when she writes of prosperity, and absence of poverty, and of "every man a landowner." This shows the widespread prosperity of the time. Jackson also shows his desire for individual opportunity in his veto message, when he says that the Bank of the U.S. is a monopoly and has too much privilege. He then dissolved the bank and put federal funds in smaller banks, allowing for more equal and widespread economic opportunity.
Even though Jacksonian democracy created productive individualism, some individuals took advantage of this and used it for unconstitutional means. In Philip Howe's description of riots in major cities, he shows how individualists felt better than those around them, creating prejudices. This is the reason for the many riots that occurred in major cities in that time. Also, in South Carolina's Acts and Resolutions, they take Jackson's theory of individual liberty, and attempt to overrule government legislation. South Carolina tried to approbate the Post Office and edit mail in the state, a violation of the first amendment. Also, they tried to outlaw abolitionist movements, crushing free speech. South Carolina also refused to collect taxes on imports by nullifying them, and Jackson threatened to send troops to collect the duties. This is an example of individual freedom taken too far and causing harmful effects.
Under Jacksonian democracy, the individual is supposed to be represented, but not everyone was given fair treatment. The painting in document G shows American Indians being moved from their native homelands to a reservation. Under Jackson, the Cherokee Indians were forced along the "trail of tears" from Georgia to reservation in the west by Jackson's troops. This is hypocritical of Jacksonian theory of freedom and opportunity for every individual. Also, in Philip Howe's description, he writes of persecution of darker skinned individuals in cities. This shows how racial prejudices gave blacks a hard time securing individual rights.
Jacksonian democracy succeeded in giving individual liberties and opportunities to people, and Jacksonians are correct in their belief about themselves. But Jacksonian democracy was not perfect, and the individuals right was sometimes taken too far, and some individuals were given no opportunities at all. Generally Jacksonians were correct, but they had some major flaws.
B
The Jacksonian Democrats were only one of the groups responsible for the great changes made in our new country. The new changes tested the "all-encompassing" powers of our constitution and their adaptability to change. As the leaders of our country at that time, the Jacksonian Democrats were correct in viewing themselves as guardians of the Constitution, but only as they saw it, and therefore were supporters of political democracy, individual liberty, and equality of economic opportunity.
As George Henry Evans states in his "paraphrased" version of the Declaration of Independence, "all men are created equal." The underlines which mark this passage and others stress the importance of establishing a true democracy; concurrent with the thoughts of Jackson, but to a lesser extent. While Jackson and his supporters encouraged democratic principles, they by no means extended the vote to all people, let alone all men. Further evidence of Jackson's "own" view of political democracy was evident in his removal of the Indians to more western lands on the so-called "trail of tears". Yes, this was political democracy in that it encouraged the settlement of more lands but it did so at the expense of a nation. This democratic action clearly had its supporters: most of the citizens of the United States. While the U.S. did make unprecedented advances into a democratic society and while we cannot judge Jackson by the actions of the soon-to-succeed South Carolina, it is important to note, as document of states, that the government of S. Carolina made an effort to suppress freedom of speech and this action was not limited solely to South Carolina. In defense of Jackson's political democracy, however, British author Martineau praised the United States for its advances in creating a democratic society, while she fails to mention some of the side-effects of those such as the factory girls she mentioned, like inhuman work days and dangerous work, she evidence to Jackson's success.
As for Jackson's support of individual liberties the issue of the trail of tears, as depicted in document G, must be brought up. If the scene in document G was compared with the statements in document A, the individuals whose liberties were guarded by Jackson would become evident. The manifest-destiny-driven U.S. citizens were favored over the "barbaric savages" of the Indians. Jackson had a great respect for individual liberties as long as they didn't conflict with his plans of the supporting citizens of his country.
Perhaps Jackson's greatest triumph was his support of economic equality for all people. This is evident in Taney's opinion in the Charles River Bridge Case and his hatred of monopolies. His greatest hatred of monopolies was evident. However, in "Bank Battle", Doc. B and C, Biddle's national bank was set to be re-chartered in 1836. Jackson who thought the bank to be monopolistic was planning on letting the charter run out. But, before the election of 1832, the opposing candidates conspired to "trick" Jackson into re-chartering the bank by bringing up that issue four years early thinking he would never veto it in an election year. He did. Further, to weaken the bank the deposited the governments money in his "pet" state banks.
As has been shown, Jackson was clearly a supporter of the constitution, if in his own special interpretations, and his efforts to support/establish political democracy, individual liberties, and economic equality were well documented.
C
In the 1820's and 1830's Jacksonian Democrats viewed themselves as guardians of the U.S. Constitution, political democracy, individual liberty, and equality of economic opportunity. One may agree with these statements of Jacksonian Democrats because there are many situations which exemplify it.
As guardians of the Constitution, they took the meaning of the Constitution literally. They would use it to help determine how a certain decision would be made. They used the constitution to reform the government to help the United States to be a better system of government. As guardians of political democracy, Jacksonian Democrats felt that it was necessary to have democracy and that it was our backbone to our country. They felt that election of the president by the people was very important also.
As guardians of individual liberty, Jacksonian Democrats felt that individual liberty was also very important. In the constitution it states that all men are created equal. As followers of the constitution, one would say that would also agree with this statement of individual rights also. In the constitution it also states we have rights such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. One might conclude that Jacksonian democrats would also agree with this statement.
As guardians of equality of economic opportunity, they thought it was wrong to have monopolies or extreme privileges of banking because it was not fair to all who had to pay for it. It was just not equally split among everyone.
I think that the Jacksonian Democrats lived up to their reputation as guardians of the Constitution, political democracy, individual liberty, and equal economic opportunity in the 1820's and 1830's.