Comparing the Philosophy and Presidency of Jackson and Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson recognized the necessity for education as a form of national improvement. Like roads and canals, schools would unite and improve the nation, but this improvement is greater than roads. Jefferson writes in 1786,

Thomas Jefferson once said, “When the people fear the government there is tyranny, when the government fears the people there is liberty.” Thomas Jefferson believed the best government was the one that governs the least . Jefferson stressed how a small government with limited powers is most likely to leave the people alone and have them enjoy the Blessings of Liberty. Furthermore, Thomas Jefferson was a man who had numerous accomplishments in his life. He was the author of the Declaration of Independence, author of the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom, founder of the University of Virginia, and the third President of the United States. His strict interpretation of the Constitution was due to his belief that the charter was designed to provide the people with a say in governmental affairs. Mr. Jefferson won the approval from the working class because he fought for them and not the powerful interests of the wealthy. Although Jefferson was a vocal and active leader in the rights of states, his recommendation of the Embargo Act and his support of the Non-Intercourse act resulted in his failure as the Commander In Chief.

Jefferson and Jackson are two very similar men. They both had very similar views and beliefs, but they did have some differences. Some of their differences being their backgrounds and personalities, the voting rights in the time of their elections, and their different takes on democracy. Although people constantly compare the two, their differences are what made their presidencies unique.

In the lives before Jackson and Jeffersons were in office, both men held many professions growing up. Both Jackson and Jefferson worked as a planter and as a lawyer. Jackson was a general for the army which set him apart from Jefferson. However, Jefferson held many other occupations that outweighed Jackson. Jefferson was a teacher, philosopher, inventor, author, and many other that he learned by trade. As and author, Jefferson published four writings dealing with the rights of Americans, a book titled The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth, and the main draft of the Declaration of Independence. Jackson never

In the documentation of his early life, his views on slavery are not directly expressed. I think this is in part because he was too young to know any different. While his early life did not offer much opinion on his part, it did start the foundation for his opposition to slavery. All that he was ever exposed to. Slavery was his reality at this time and because it was

Jackson was similar to Jefferson because he opposed increasing federal spending and the national bank. He vetoed 12 bills, which was more than the total of all 6 presidents before him. One of the things he vetoed was the use of federal money to make the Maysville Road, because it was entirely in one state. It

James Madison and Andrew Jackson are some of America’s greatest presidents. They both did great things including being one of the Founding Fathers and being the most famous and well-known war hero of their time. James Madison and Andrew Jackson have many similarities and differences. For example, both of them served time in the military and they also both agreed with the removal of Native Americans. One of their major differences is that James Madison was born into a rich plantation owning family while Andrew Jackson was born into poverty. Through the information in this essay, you will see they also had alike and different ideas and personalities.

Though nearly thirty years separate the time when Presidents Andrew Jackson and Thomas Jefferson were elected into office, the ideas that they brought with them into the White House are very similar. The importance of common man resonated largely with both of these leaders, and they worked extremely hard to make life for them as fair as possible. However, there are many other similarities between the presidencies of these two men, so I believe saying that they had ‘virtually the same political views’ is a very plausible statement.

Thomas Jefferson's ideals and beliefs were derived from a deep regard for life, liberty, and freedom. His concept of individual freedoms strongly disagreed with the notion of a "guided republic" which he believed concentrated a great deal unchecked power among a few people. This could have the potential of tyrannical government that might suppress personal freedoms of any kind especially those of religion, which Jefferson feels very strongly felt should be protected. After fighting hard to rid America of British domination, Jefferson was determined to create a government that was responsible to, and derived its powers from, a free people. As the writer of the Declaration of Independence and the Virginia Statute for

A president of the United States used to own many slaves on his own plantation in his entire life. After the declaration of independence from Great Britain Jefferson had a clear vision in this mind to support the institution of slavery. The political methods Jefferson used to oppose the slavery were:

Thomas Jefferson’s domestic policy was based principally on the organization of a new, limited federal government that concerned itself solely with current affairs, leaving state governments in control of responsibilities at home. His first order of business as President was the establishment of a “wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another” but should otherwise leave them alone to handle their own matters of business (567). Jefferson “favored

Probably the most glaring difference between Jackson and Jefferson was their opinions on Native Americans. As a young man, Jackson spent a lot a time fighting Indians. The Indians were the natural enemy of the white settlers, as surprise attacks were often conducted, where houses were burned and whole families were murdered. Having experienced this, it is safe to say that Jackson did not think highly of the Indians. On the other end of the spectrum, Jefferson grew up as a student of Indian life of the frontier. In the book, Jefferson refutes the ignorant opinions of Buffon, a Frenchmen who declared that Indians, compared to Europeans, are “less strong in body; he is also less sensitive, and yet more timid and cowardly; he has no vivacity, no activity of mind.” Jefferson, having personally known Indians, refuted

Jefferson was the founder of the Democratic-Republic Party and believed in an agrarian society with strong local governments (i.e. a weak central government). He thought that the states should yield most of the power so that the citizens could control what happens to them

Jeffersonian and Jacksonian Democracy both have roots dating back to the Era of Good Feelings, when James Monroe created a golden climate of liberalism and national unity. As a result of the War of 1812, Monroe spoke of his policies and beliefs and in 1817, peace, liberty, prosperity, and progress flourished throughout the nation (Garraty 200). The Era of Good Feelings came to an end because of the “corrupt bargain” in 1824. The transition from Jeffersonian to Jacksonian Democracy involved scandalous events that undermine the authority of the president and the government itself. Each Democracy had different views: politically, socially, economically and religiously. Jackson’s idea of democracy, furthermore, is an accurate representation

A period of nearly 30 years are associated with the Presidency of Jefferson, his successors and his ‘democracy’ from 1801 until Andrew Jackson’s election in 1828. A vision of a united, equal America, limited government and natural aristocracy ruled the Jeffersonian style of democracy. However, with the election of Andrew Jackson in 1828, a new form of democracy, differentiating in multiply ways to the Jeffersonian America, engulfed the American political and social scene. Jacksonian Democracy, a dream of the common man, the use of the Presidential veto, and Anglo-Saxonism as well other elements dominated this form of democracy and era. Despite this, many