Jeffersonian vs Jacksonian Democracy (1)
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Jeffersonian vs. Jacksonian Democracy
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Jeffersonian vs. Jacksonian Democracy
Part 1
Equality has been a fundamental issue in the United States, particularly because of its
controversial nature, given that it has not always been availed to all people. The Jacksonian
democracy experienced several substantial changes that altered the society’s perception of
various social issues such as equality and liberty of all people. The most outstanding change that
occurred during the transition from Jeffersonian to Jacksonian democracy was the expansion of
voting rights to many white men aged 21 years and above (
Locke & Wright, 2019)
. Therefore,
the Jacksonian democracy aimed to increase the public’s participation in government while also
boosting the country’s legitimacy globally. Moreover, the US enjoyed a new sense of equality
during this transition. Notably, given that women were undermined in the ancient American
society, they redeemed themselves by addressing their aspirations, such as equal voting rights,
through the women’s suffrage movement (
Locke & Wright, 2019)
. Such endeavors enabled them
to rise and claim equal recognition like their men.
Part 2
Equality has always been highly controversial in the United States because some people
are undermined based on race, gender, sexual orientation, and religion. In contrast, others are
overly favored and regarded as majorities. Therefore, it is explicit that not all Americans are
treated equally (
Locke & Wright, 2019)
. Racial minorities and women have experienced
inequalities in the United States, denying them the same quality of life as other Americans. For
instance, white majorities have remained dominant throughout history, while people of color,
such as African Americans, have often been racially segregated and discriminated against (
Locke
3
& Wright, 2019)
. Similarly, women have had to fight for their recognition through Feminist
organizations to claim their place in the male-dominated society.
Notably, even though diversity remains a crucial factor influencing equality in the United
States, it is explicit that equality has advanced significantly over the current years. It has
advanced tremendously from the Jeffersonian democracy through the Jacksonian one into the
modern world (
Locks et al., 2013)
. Available literature shows that liberty and justice were not
always availed to all Americans, as minority groups were denied these provisions. For instance,
racial minorities have experienced enormous bias in enjoying freedom and justice. White
majorities often benefited from undermining racial minorities such as African Americans through
slavery (
Locks et al., 2013)
. For instance, states like Virginia kept slaves for cheap labor in their
cotton plantations (
Locks et al., 2013)
.
Consequently, justice was barely afforded to racial minorities since the law was
structured to undermine them further by denying them the enjoyment of freedoms and various
rights such as voting. Therefore, many people of color have often been racially profiled because
the criminal justice system was initially structured to discriminate against them. Drawing from
this exclusion, their white counterparts would enjoy better healthcare, education, living, and
working conditions while racial minorities are relegated to degrading circumstances (
Locks et
al., 2013)
. Therefore, liberty and justice were denied to some racial groups to deny them equality
with their white counterparts. Besides, equal enjoyment of liberty and access to justice would
render all people living in the US equal (
Locks et al., 2013)
. Therefore, the law was used to
further discriminate against minority groups while denying them the means of legally addressing
their issues. Racial inequalities were primarily addressed through the civil rights movement that
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emerged and existed during the 1950s and 60s, aiming to afford African Americans equal rights
under the US Constitution (
Locks et al., 2013)
.
Conclusion
As discussed above, the United States has advanced substantially in upholding the well-
being of all its citizens regardless of their disparity aspects. Fostering equality in the enjoyment
of liberty and justice is essential to improving people’s quality of life. However, inequality is still
perceived amongst racial minorities such as African Americans, as they are primary subjects of
police brutality and racial profiling resulting in the Black Lives Matter Movement.
5
References
Locke, J. L., & Wright, B. (Eds.). (2019).
The American Yawp: A Massively Collaborative Open
US History Textbook, Vol. 1: To 1877
. Stanford University Press.
Locks, C., Mergel, S., Roseman, P., & Spike, T. (2013).
History in the Making: A History of the
People of the United States of America to 1877
. The University Press of North Georgia.