Jeffersonian Ideology

The rise of Democratization in the United States, is also known as the Age of Jackson. Democracy of the United States was not entirely Democratic, because most voters were white male landowners. This ideology was radically unfair, because it excluded women and non-whites. However, between 1820 and 1850, this ideology started to change. State legislators lowered or eliminated, the property qualifications for voting. This change allowed more people to vote, as long as they were both white and male. The idea of owning land as a prerequisite for voting was a Jeffersonian tactic for controlling votes. This ideology made citizens believe one does not need to rely upon markets to acquire a goods or wages. This era made individuals believe that working …show more content…
For example, Van Buren states, “Political parties are inseparable from free governments, which check an elected officials inherent disposition to abuse power.” Van Buren’s ideology of a multiple political system reformulated the meaning of a physical party. As a predominate figure Van Buren, “Defends political parties, presenting a view at odds with those of the founding generation who decried party sprit as a factionalism.” This new idea helped redirect America to understand multiple constitutional visions could likewise exist. Van Buren’s political dexterity earned him the nickname “Little Magician.” Van Buren was a patriarch of this era, creating a new viewpoint for the people who believed, “That sacrificing individual preferences for the general good of the party,” was foundational for the country. However, during the Jackson-era many citizens contested the policies the Jacksonian-era portrayed. For example, Jackson and his disciples took advantage of the, “American System.” The “American System” was a program built on economic nationalism. For instance, the “American System” federally financed internal improvements. Improvements took the form of roads, canals, and other infrastructures. This system also, implemented tariffs to protect new factories and industries, and a national bank that would replace the “First National Bank of the …show more content…
At the beginning of the Jackson’s Presidency, America was dominated by the “Second National Bank,” which had been established as part of the “American System.” Jackson did not approve of the National Banking System and argued that, “Every monopoly and all exclusive privileges are granted at the expense of the public, which ought to receive a fair equivalent.” Jackson ordered that money should be disbursed into local banks. Banks that Jackson preferred were called “Pet banks” because they were friendly to him. “Pet banks,” were another version of rewarding political supporters. Opponents called this tactic the “Spoils System.” The smaller banks continued to print paper money which resulted in inflation. Initially the states enjoyed the new idea of the plethora of money that they could use to finance internal improvements. However, inflation started to affect the wage worker’s then eventually affected everyone. This out of control inflation, mixed with rampant speculation eventually lead to the economic collapse, “The Panic of 1837.” The subsequent depression lasted until 1843. In my opinion, Jackson’s Bank Policy proved to be arguably the most unsuccessful fiscal policy’s in American history. This era within United States history, also had a major effect on American politics because business oriented Democrats became Whigs and the remaining Democrats further aligned with agrarian