The Opposing Philosophies of Andrew Jackson and Henry Clay In the novel, Andrew Jackson vs. Henry Clay Democracy and Development in Antebellum America, Harry L. Watson provides a dual biography about the extremely different political philosophies of Andrew Jackson and Henry Clay. These two political leaders’ different philosophies shaped the argument of democracy and development in the early 1800s, as well as outlined the economic, social, technological, and political dynamics during the Jacksonian era. Jackson, the Democratic-Republican candidate, was the defender of democracy and the military commander during this election. His political philosophy was to have greater democracy for the common man. As the Whig candidate, Clay’s campaign
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Jackson believed that virtue relied on the general people at large rather than the elite. Jackson’s campaign relied on popular rallies and bursts of public approval in random places. On the other hand, Clay took the opposite approach. He conducted extensive correspondence with men from different states that he had met in Congress. He worked hard to to put together policy positions that would appeal to state leaders and conform his own vision of what would be best for the country. Henry Clay embraced government policies in hopes that they would promote economic development. Jackson disagreed, and worried about what these policies would do to the liberties of the country. As the national politics formed around Jackson and his opposition, two parties grew out of the old Republican Party. The Democratic Republicans, or Democrats, adhered to Jackson; and the National Republicans, or Whigs, opposed …show more content…
Slavery was a huge public issue during the Jacksonian era. Jackson was an avid slave owner, and saw nothing wrong with slave trade and ownership. Despite the fact that Clay was a slave owner, he supported gradual emancipation. Because this was such a controversial issue, both men did not act on this topic, and did their best to avoid it. Another major problem of this time was Native Americans. Clay unsuccessfully defended the right of the Five Civilized Tribes of Indians to their lands. On the other hand, Jackson campaigned for Indian removal. The issues of slavery and Indians were very prodiment, but Clay and Jackson argued over tamer issues. The largest of all of their issues was banking policy. The Second Bank of the United States was what most of the banking policy discussions originated from. Jackson disliked banks and paper money in general. He vetoed the renewal of the Bank's charter and withdrew federal deposits from the bank. Clay hoped to divide Jackson's supporters, and earn the favor in Pennsylvania, where the bank’s headquarters were. Clay launched attacks on Jackson and generally failed. Jackson convinced the ordinary population that he was defending them against a privileged elite. This was one of the most significant debates between the two
Jackson believed that virtue relied on the general people at large rather than the elite. Jackson’s campaign relied on popular rallies and bursts of public approval in random places. On the other hand, Clay took the opposite approach. He conducted extensive correspondence with men from different states that he had met in Congress. He worked hard to to put together policy positions that would appeal to state leaders and conform his own vision of what would be best for the country. Henry Clay embraced government policies in hopes that they would promote economic development. Jackson disagreed, and worried about what these policies would do to the liberties of the country. As the national politics formed around Jackson and his opposition, two parties grew out of the old Republican Party. The Democratic Republicans, or Democrats, adhered to Jackson; and the National Republicans, or Whigs, opposed …show more content…
Slavery was a huge public issue during the Jacksonian era. Jackson was an avid slave owner, and saw nothing wrong with slave trade and ownership. Despite the fact that Clay was a slave owner, he supported gradual emancipation. Because this was such a controversial issue, both men did not act on this topic, and did their best to avoid it. Another major problem of this time was Native Americans. Clay unsuccessfully defended the right of the Five Civilized Tribes of Indians to their lands. On the other hand, Jackson campaigned for Indian removal. The issues of slavery and Indians were very prodiment, but Clay and Jackson argued over tamer issues. The largest of all of their issues was banking policy. The Second Bank of the United States was what most of the banking policy discussions originated from. Jackson disliked banks and paper money in general. He vetoed the renewal of the Bank's charter and withdrew federal deposits from the bank. Clay hoped to divide Jackson's supporters, and earn the favor in Pennsylvania, where the bank’s headquarters were. Clay launched attacks on Jackson and generally failed. Jackson convinced the ordinary population that he was defending them against a privileged elite. This was one of the most significant debates between the two