Jackson Vs. Jefferson
Compare and contrast the political philosophies and policies of Jefferson and Jackson. Both Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson brought an amazing era that made a great impact in America. However, although these two men had many similarities, they also had many differences in their political philosophies and policies. In terms of political philosophies, Jefferson and Jackson both favored a strict interpretation of the Constitution. For instance, Jefferson was against Hamilton’s financial plan with the Bank of the United States because he felt that the Constitution did not specifically authorize Congress to pass such bills. For the very same reason, Jackson did not like the Bank of the United States during his time because he too felt that it was unconstitutional. However, during Jefferson’s time, his views on a strict interpretation of the Constitution changed. Jefferson knew that the government couldn’t add new territory or grant American citizenship to the 50,000 residents in the Louisiana Territory in 1803 under the Constitution, but under these circumstances he used a loose interpretation of the Constitution and had the senate ratify the treaty of the Louisiana Purchase. With the national debt, both men had
great desires to abolish it. Jefferson lowered the national debt from $83 million to $57 million and Jackson in 1836 had the whole nation totally debt free. During their campaigns, both men stated that they were for the common man, but their views and actions for the common man varied. Jefferson felt that an ordinary citizen could be educated to determine that which was right while Jackson felt that an ordinary citizen knew that which was right from his own instincts. Jefferson and Jackson both supported the fact that the majority should rule. However, Jackson did more to get the common people involved in the national government. He set up more secondary schools to help in the improvement of knowledge and judgment in every citizen. Since there was an increase in newspapers, ordinary citizens had the ability to understand what was happening in politics and get an equal opportunity with the wealthier white men to get more involved. Although Jefferson claimed he was for the common man, he really felt that the government was evil and favored it to remain a society of small independent farmers. Although these two men varied a little on their views of the common man, they felt strongly about majority rule and this was their form of new government, it was the beginning of democracy. When it came to internal improvements, Jefferson was a man who felt that the construction of roads, canals, and other projects should be left to the states and private individuals, but he did allow the government to help out in minor projects. Jackson on the other hand did feel the same way as Jefferson did with in that internal improvements and local projects should be left to the states. Because of that, he vetoed the bill which would have provided aid in the construction of the Maysville road mainly in Kentucky. Jefferson was also a man of less pomp and circumstance and it was during his time that he adopted the principal of “pell-mell.” For instance, after Jefferson’s inauguration, he went back to his boardinghouse on foot, not by horse, and ate dinner as his usual seat at the common table. Jackson was in a sense very similar to Jefferson, he was a casual man who blended well with the common people and definitely brought about informality to the White House when everybod
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Approximate Word count = 1538
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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