Example Of Essay On Andrew Jackson Vs Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson (1743- 1826) and Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) served as the US presidents from 1801 to 1809 and from 1829 to 1837 respectively. The two popular presidents made significant contributions to the development of democracy in the United States. Historians and policy makers have criticized the two for acting in ways that seemed to compromise the very democracy they professed to uphold. Andrew Jackson stands as the president who better upheld the ideals of democracy and interests of the common man as he expanded voting rights, regulated the US National Bank and resolved the nullification crisis among many other acts.
Andrew Jackson grew up as a middle class farmer and he managed to become the first US president outside the original 13 colonies that formed the United States. As such, he is largely and rightly viewed as a hero of the common man because he demonstrated to all Americans that they too had rights and opportunities to serve their country in the highest offices.
Andrew Jackson introduced some controls to prevent the US National Bank from becoming exploitative on the common man. He argued that the bank was operating unconstitutionally as it was monopolizing the public and acting against the interests of the common man who granted it the mandate to operate.
Andrew Jackson showed his commitment to democracy during the Nullification Crisis when he stated that not all factions will have to have their way but the good of the country will have to be maintained at all times. When tariffs were issues in 1830 some states such as South Carolina argued against the imposition of the tariffs. However, Jackson upheld the dictates of the constitution while managing to keep the residents of South Carolina satisfied through the revised tariffs of 1833.
Andrew Jackson expanded the right to vote to all people- whether they owned property or not. Previously only white makes who owned property had the right to vote. Andrew Jackson expanded the right to vote to all white males thereby expanding American democracy because more people had a say in the affairs of the government.
Thomas Jefferson although he championed many democratic causes, had serious flaws. He for instance used extreme measures to enforce the Embargo Act of 1807 which was contrary to the ideals of democracy and the interest of the common man. As such, Andrew Jackson emerges as the hero of the common man and the better president among the two when it came to upholding American democracy.