Evolution of Democracy
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HIS-144 – Evolution of Democracy Worksheet
1.
Compare and contrast Jefferson’s democracy with Jackson’s democracy. What are Jefferson and Jackson’s
respective backgrounds? How did each figure regard issue such as states’ rights and nullification? How
important was western expansion to each figure’s goals for the United States? How did education factor into
each figure’s view of democratic participation? (350-500 words)
Jefferson and Jackson were both American political leaders in the early 1800’s. Jefferson had more of an
extensive educational background which naturally influenced his beliefs about how education should be very
important within politics and society. Jackson was different in this way as he didn’t come from such an extensive
educational background so naturally, he didn’t believe education was as important as Jefferson did. Jefferson
believed that an ideal American was a Yeoman farmer and could provide for his family. This was more limited than
the Jacksonian view because the ideal American was one specific profession. Jackson believed in empowering the
common man. (Neem, 2013)
During Jackson’s presidency, issues arose regarding the tariffs that were in place making it harder for the south
economically. But Jackson said that the states were not independent and couldn’t change the laws. Only the
Supreme Court could. Whereas Jefferson believed that the states deserved the power to nullify laws that violated
the Constitution. (Schultz, 2018)
Jefferson had a more reasonable approach when it came to western expansion and relations with the American
Indians. Both Jefferson and Jackson believed in westward expansion, but they went about it in much different
ways. Jefferson believed that the Indians were a noble race and were equal to the white man. In this regard, he had
a vision of incorporating American Indians in American democracy. He also went about acquiring land through
treaties and agreements. Whereas Jackson had quite the opposing view which can be seen through his actions of
removing the American Indians from their land and killing tens of thousands in the process. (Schultz, 2018)
(SAAM, 2015)
Education was very important for Thomas Jefferson as he came from an education heavy background. All
Jeffersons life was involved in education or politics. He went to William and Mary college where he studied law.
From then on, he was involved in a variety of political work like governing to vice president and all the way up to
president. Jackson did not come from this kind of education. He was a saddle maker then he studied law and was
even involved with the military eventually. Education regarding politics and holding office was very important in
Jefferson’s eyes. He believed that in order for the country to be successful citizens needed to be highly educated.
Jackson believed that successful people and politicians didn’t necessarily have to be highly educated.
2.
Explain three (3) ways democracy changed or expanded from the time of Jefferson to Jackson? (350-500
words)
[To answer the questions below, consult your lecture notes in conjunction with the class PowerPoint, consult
Schultz (2018) 11.1a and 11.b; scan Kauffman (2019), Reynolds (2020), and Smith (2020).
Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson were very different presidents and there were several factors that
went into the change from Jefferson’s presidency to Jackson’s. According to Schultz there were four main factors
that attributed to the new government. These four things are economic booms and busts, the expansion of the
franchise, a contentious presidential election, and finally the rise of mass parties and the second two-party systems.
(Schultz, 2018)
Jackson came from the Carolina’s and considered himself to come from South Carolina. He received
support from the south as they believed he would implement certain laws and regulations that would help them as
slave owners. He owned many slaves himself and so the south was fond of him for several reasons like this.
Compared to Jefferson who was an opponent to slavery but ironically owned slaves himself, it can be seen that
Jackson’s support was quite different than Jeffersons.
Before 1832, all presidential candidates were from the same party. Jackson’s election paved the way for the
two-party system which has been in use ever since then. The anti-masonic party’s action led to conventions that
then helped the two-party system be implemented in choosing a president. (Anti-Masonic party, 2021)
The electoral votes are what helped Jackson win the election of 1828. Jackson still won the popular vote
but he had a far higher percentage of votes from the electoral votes. Pretty much all of the south supported Jackson
in this election because of how they thought Jackson would help them with their ideals. This election changed the
way elections happen and to this day the United States still uses the two-party system that came from this
monumental election.
3.
Identify one way democracy can be improved or continue to grow today.
How can it be done? (250 words)
Democracy today is quite different and with the amount of people who are able to vote compared to back in
the 1800’s is drastically different. I side more with Jeffersonian ideals regarding education because I think
political issues today are very complicated and complex and individuals who have a very high level of
education and intelligence would be more suited to make decisions for the better of society. The two-party
system was a fantastic solution to a problem America had in its beginning, but it has changed a lot since then.
Many people subscribe to one party and don’t think as much about what the leader of that party is actually
trying to do. It is almost like they don’t even know what the leader is saying or pushing to change, they just
support the party they’ve subscribed to. Education may be a solution to this problem because politicians make
it so hard to understand what they are actually fighting for, and the voters just end up choosing a party that they
have always chosen which makes it harder to put the best leaders suited for the job in power. Not all voters are
like this though. Many have chosen to just not vote at all. This was seen in the most recent election between
Joe Biden and Donald Trump. In my opinion, neither of these men were suited to lead the world’s most
powerful nation. I mean out of the entire population how were these two old men the ones we chose for the
job? Anyways, I think the two-party system has its strengths, but I also think it has its weaknesses. I agree with
some of Jefferson’s ideals regarding education because I think it better suites leaders to be educated in order to
make decisions for the better of society.
References
Anti-Masonic party. (2021).
Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia
. https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?
url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lfh&AN=134489427&site=eds-
live&scope=site&custid=s8333196&groupid=main&profile=eds1
Brown, D. (1999). Jeffersonian ideology and the second party system.
The Historian, 62
(1), 17-30.
Daily, A. (2014). Breaking the bonds of ignorance: Democracy and education in Illinois during the Age of Jackson.
Historia
, 1-37.
Kauffman, B. (2019). Andrew Jackson unconquered.
Modern Age, 61
(1), 7-13.
Lane, C. (2007). The elimination of national debt in 1835 and the meaning of Jacksonian Democracy.
Essays in
Economic & Business History, 25
, 67-78.
Neem, J. (2013). Is Thomas Jefferson a founding father of democratic education?
Democracy & Education, 21
(2),
1-4.
Reynolds, D.S. (2020). Andrew Jackson reinvents American democracy: Jackson had deep flaws, but he left a
lasting legacy, strengthening the executive office and striving to represent as many Americans as possible.
American Heritage, 65
(1).
Schultz, K. (2018).
Hist5
. Cengage (Read 11.1a, 11.1b, 11.2a, 11.2b, 11.2c, 11.2d)
Smith, L.E. (2020). Anti-Jackson democratization: The first national political party conventions. American
Nineteenth Century History, 21
(2), 149-169.
Smithsonian American Art Museum. (2015). Manifest destiny and Indian removal.
https://americanexperience.si.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Manifest-Destiny-and-Indian-Removal.pdf
Sternberg, R.J. (2014). Three traditions of democracy in relation to American higher education.
Liberal Education,
100
(2), 42-50.
Thompson, J.A. (2022). From Federalists to Jacksonians: The transition of democracy in the United States [Class
document]. Halo. Halo.gcu.edu
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