Omar Bennett
The Jacksonian Democrats, led by President Andrew Jackson, guarded the US Constitution by emphasising democracy and expanding voting rights to more white males, encouraging participation by the common man. Jackson's election in 1828 completed a grand social experiment begun by the American Revolution, and his presidency was characterised by a democratic spirit that celebrated the extension of suffrage to most white male adult citizens. However, Jacksonianism has also been criticised as a political impulse tied to slavery, the subjugation of Native Americans, and the celebration of white supremacy, with Jackson himself enforcing legislation that negatively impacted Native Americans and perpetuated racial prejudice.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Encouraged democratic participation | Extended voting rights to white male adult citizens |
| Strengthened the presidency and the executive branch | Encouraged participation by the "common man" |
| Opposed the Second Bank of the United States | Advocated for majority rule and democratic process |
| Favored geographical expansionism | Rewrote state constitutions to reflect new values |
| Promoted a laissez-faire economic approach |
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What You'll Learn
Jacksonian Democrats emphasised democracy, allowing more white males to vote
Jacksonian Democracy, a term coined by historian James Schouler, refers to the ascendancy of Andrew Jackson and the Democratic Party after 1828. Jackson, the seventh president of the United States, served from 1829 to 1837.
Jacksonian Democrats emphasized democracy and celebrated the extension of suffrage to a majority of white male adult citizens. They sought to increase voter participation and public participation in government, demanding elected, not appointed, judges and rewriting state constitutions to reflect new values. Jackson's central message was one of majority rule through the democratic process, and his supporters framed him as a manly warrior, a successful Tennessee planter, and a "hero of the common man".
However, Jackson's expansion of democracy was limited to white men, and his policies and rhetoric often perpetuated racism and the subjugation of Native Americans. Jackson's equal political policy ended what he termed the "monopoly of government by elites", but his administration also advocated expanding federal and presidential power. Jacksonianism has been criticized as a contradiction due to its ties to slavery, white supremacy, and the removal of Native Americans from their land.
The Jacksonian era was characterized by a diverse national coalition, building upon democratic ideals from the American Revolution and the Jeffersonian Democratic Republicans. It was a period of chaotic politics, with the Federalist Party and the First Party System dissolving, and the emergence of new political factions and alliances. Jackson's victory in 1828 marked a significant shift in national political debate, with his supporters emphasizing the removal of class biases and the top-down engines of the market revolution.
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They rewrote state constitutions to reflect new values
The Jacksonian era, which began with the election of Andrew Jackson in 1828, was characterised by a democratic spirit. Jackson's equal political policy ended what he termed a monopoly of government by elites, and suffrage was extended to a majority of white male adult citizens. Jacksonian democracy promoted the strength of the executive branch and the presidency at the expense of Congress, while also seeking to increase public participation in government.
The Jacksonians rewrote many state constitutions to reflect these new values. They demanded elected, not appointed, judges, and advocated for expanding federal power, particularly presidential power. They also favoured geographical expansionism, justifying it in terms of manifest destiny.
However, it is important to note that Jacksonian democracy was limited to white men and was underpinned by racism and a belief in white supremacy. Jackson himself held conservative social beliefs, and his policies and legislation negatively impacted Native Americans and free blacks. While Jacksonians emphasised democracy and encouraged participation by the "common man", their actions did not always guard the Constitution.
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They advocated for limited federal government powers
The Jacksonian Democrats, led by President Andrew Jackson, advocated for limited federal government powers. Jackson himself believed in guarding against "all encroachments upon the legitimate sphere of state sovereignty". This stance was reflected in his opposition to the Second Bank of the United States, which he viewed as a corrupting influence of "special privilege". Jacksonians favoured a strict constructionist interpretation of the Constitution, which complemented their preference for a laissez-faire approach to the economy. They believed in limiting the federal government's role, particularly in economic matters, and opposed the Whig program's sponsorship of modernisation, railroads, banking, and economic growth.
Jacksonians sought to strengthen the presidency and the executive branch while diminishing the power of Congress. They promoted the idea of majority rule and democratic processes, even though their campaign lacked specific policy details. Jackson's own beliefs were shaped by his participation in the American Revolution, and he aimed to eliminate class biases and the top-down, credit-driven nature of the market revolution.
The Jacksonian movement was diverse, spanning different classes and regions. It drew support from former Federalists and Democratic-Republicans, and its origins can be traced back to the democratic ideals of the American Revolution, the Antifederalists, and the Jeffersonian Democratic Republicans. Jacksonians celebrated the expansion of suffrage to white male adult citizens, promoting their egalitarian ideals. However, it is important to note that their definition of equality was limited to white men, as they held racist views towards Native Americans, Hispanics, and free blacks.
While Jacksonians advocated for limited federal government powers, their stance was not absolute. As they consolidated power, they increasingly advocated for expanding federal power, particularly presidential power. Additionally, they were willing to take punitive measures against African Americans, abolitionists, and Native American tribes, demonstrating a contradiction between their democratic ideals and their actions in certain instances.
In summary, the Jacksonian Democrats' advocacy for limited federal government powers was a key aspect of their political philosophy. They sought to uphold the spirit of the Constitution by emphasising democracy and limiting federal influence in certain areas. However, their commitment to limited government evolved over time, and they faced criticism for their actions that contradicted their stated principles.
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They favoured a hands-off approach to the economy
The Jacksonian Democrats, also known as the Democratic Party, were led by Andrew Jackson, who was the seventh president of the United States from 1829 to 1837. Jacksonian Democracy is a concept that refers to the ascendancy of Andrew Jackson and the Democratic Party after 1828. It is characterised by a democratic spirit, promoting the strength of the presidency and the executive branch, and seeking to broaden public participation in government.
Jacksonian Democrats guarded the U.S. Constitution to some extent but not entirely. They emphasised democracy, expanded suffrage to include more white males, and encouraged participation by the "common man". This complemented their hands-off approach to the economy, where they favoured laissez-faire economics and a limited federal government. They opposed the Second Bank of the United States and sought to dismantle the top-down, credit-driven engines of the market revolution.
The Jacksonian Democrats' hands-off approach to the economy was in contrast to the Whig program, which sponsored modernisation, railroads, banking, and economic growth. Jacksonians initially favoured a strict construction of the Constitution and a federal government with limited powers. Jackson himself stated that he would guard against "all encroachments upon the legitimate sphere of State sovereignty". However, he was not an extremist and fought against state encroachments on federal influence during the nullification crisis.
As Jacksonians consolidated power, they increasingly advocated for expanding federal and presidential power. They promoted geographical expansionism, justifying it in terms of manifest destiny. They also sought to restructure federal institutions, demanding elected judges and rewriting state constitutions to reflect new values. In terms of economic policy, Jacksonians were dedicated to dismantling the top-down, credit-driven engines of the market revolution. They opposed the establishment of a new Bank of the United States and supported an independent treasury.
In summary, the Jacksonian Democrats' hands-off approach to the economy was characterised by their support for laissez-faire economics, limited federal government, and opposition to the Second Bank of the United States. They favoured a strict construction of the Constitution and sought to expand suffrage and encourage participation by the "common man". However, as they gained power, they increasingly advocated for stronger federal and presidential authority.
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They supported an independent treasury and aggressive foreign policy
The Jacksonian Democrats, who came to prominence following Andrew Jackson's election in 1828, supported an independent treasury and aggressive foreign policy. Jackson's supporters portrayed him as a "manly warrior", a fighter in contrast to his opponent John Quincy Adams, who was presented as a writer. Jackson's victory was a triumph of democracy, and his supporters celebrated the extension of suffrage to a majority of white male adult citizens.
The Jacksonians' support for an independent treasury was in line with their strict constructionist views, which favoured a limited federal government and a hands-off approach to the economy. They opposed the Second Bank of the United States, seeing it as an encroachment on state sovereignty. Jackson himself warned against "all encroachments upon the legitimate sphere of State sovereignty".
Their support for an aggressive foreign policy reflected their belief in geographical expansionism, which was justified by the idea of manifest destiny. This expansionism, however, came at the expense of Native Americans and racial minorities. Jackson's policies and legislation regarding Native Americans have been described as a "massive flaw" and "haunted America to the present day".
The Jacksonian Democrats' support for an independent treasury and aggressive foreign policy was part of a broader set of democratic reforms that sought to increase voter participation and reduce class biases in government. They promoted the strength of the presidency and executive branch while seeking to broaden public participation in government. They also advocated for elected judges and rewrote state constitutions to reflect these new values.
While the Jacksonian era was characterised by democratic ideals, it was also marked by racial prejudice and the subjugation of Native Americans. The Jacksonians' commitment to democracy was primarily limited to white men, and their policies often came at the expense of racial minorities and free blacks.
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Frequently asked questions
The Jacksonian Democrats emphasized democracy, allowing more white males to vote and encouraging participation by the "common man". However, they did take some specific actions that did not guard the Constitution.
The Jacksonian Democrats were dedicated to democratic ideals—but mainly for white men. Their rationale for territorial expansion assumed that Indians and, in some areas, Hispanics, were lesser peoples. They also took punitive measures against African Americans or abolitionists, and forcefully removed southern Indian tribes, disregarding treaties protecting Native American rights.
The Jacksonian Democrats initially favored a federal government with limited powers. Jackson himself said that he would guard against "all encroachments upon the legitimate sphere of State sovereignty". However, as they consolidated power, they advocated expanding federal power, particularly presidential power.
