During the 1820s and 1830s, Jacksonian Democrats claimed to be the defenders of the Constitution and the common people, the upholders of political democracy, individual liberty, and economic equal opportunity. These claims are not truthful, as evidenced by the mishandling of Native American removal, President Jackson’s combativeness with Congress, ignorance of the Constitution, and his neglect of the liberties of women and African Americans. These decisions of Jacksonian Democrats, throughout the 1820s and 1830s, do not reflect any of the claimed.
Jacksonian Democrats were supporters of Andrew Jackson’s political views. The party placed an emphasis on obtaining greater political representation and advantage for what was expressed as the common man. As Andrew Jackson believed that the United States had a right to expand into existing Native territories, this was also one of …show more content…
Jackson secured voting rights for most statesmen, yet his policies withheld the same rights women and free African Americans. After Jackson’s election in 1828 some who’d previously been allowed to vote were disallowed further participation. Jackson’s exclusion of these groups contradicted his party’s usage of the term “democracy” as it did not represent a whole of the people. Jacksonian Democrats also practiced the spoils system, which would secure government jobs for members, or even friends of a political party, if their candidate won the presidency. No consideration was given to employ those with previous experience if they did not share the candidates’ views. As this practice creates a cabinet consisting of a single party sharing the same ideals, without effective opposition or diversity, a democracy would also suffer from one-sided or tumultuous representation under it. Jackson’s arguments with members of Congress, and the later formation of the Whig party reflect
Jacksonian Democrats were supporters of Andrew Jackson’s political views. The party placed an emphasis on obtaining greater political representation and advantage for what was expressed as the common man. As Andrew Jackson believed that the United States had a right to expand into existing Native territories, this was also one of …show more content…
Jackson secured voting rights for most statesmen, yet his policies withheld the same rights women and free African Americans. After Jackson’s election in 1828 some who’d previously been allowed to vote were disallowed further participation. Jackson’s exclusion of these groups contradicted his party’s usage of the term “democracy” as it did not represent a whole of the people. Jacksonian Democrats also practiced the spoils system, which would secure government jobs for members, or even friends of a political party, if their candidate won the presidency. No consideration was given to employ those with previous experience if they did not share the candidates’ views. As this practice creates a cabinet consisting of a single party sharing the same ideals, without effective opposition or diversity, a democracy would also suffer from one-sided or tumultuous representation under it. Jackson’s arguments with members of Congress, and the later formation of the Whig party reflect