Comparing the Philosophy and Presidency of Jackson and Jefferson

For my second critical essay in this course I have elected to tackle the subject of the lives, attitudes, and presidencies of Andrew Jackson and Thomas Jefferson. I will compare the two and state how they are alike and how they are different. Then the last thing I will do is choose and explain who I believe was the more effective leader. Both were very influential and effective presidents in the development of the early United States, but Thomas Jefferson was the more effective leader in my humble opinion.

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

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

Jefferson grew up in more famous and richer family which gave him many opportunities in education. He went to college where he was introduced to the writings of Isaac Newton,John Locke,and Francis Bacon which later influenced his political views. After Jefferson graduated from college he worked as a lawyer and later got into politics. Prior to his presidency he had many government positions such as Member of Virginia House of Burgesses,Member of Continental Congress, Governor of Virginia,Secretary of State,just to list a few. He was well educated in many different fields. Because Jefferson had very good writing skills he was asked to write the main draft of Declaration of Independence,but when he was done it was edited so much. Another writing,which Jefferson

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:

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

He was a firm believer in the abolition of the slave trade, which he thought would eventually lead to the failure of slavery. Ever since writing The Declaration of Independence, until his death, he pushed for the plan of “gradual emancipation”: The plan was to start by ending the transatlantic slave trade. Then over time improve slave conditions mainly their living situations, and lessening physical punishment. Then eventually any slave born after a certain date would be free. Lastly complete abolition. Unfortunately after his death the plan died with him, and all it really accomplished was slave owners treating their slaves better. This plan was not just a plan to end slavery, but to humanize slaves, and make them into free men. He undoubtedly practiced what he preached, and would probably have found it insulting if one made the argument that owning slaves invalidates everything he fought

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

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.

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

Jefferson wanted a separation of powers within the government in order to prevent one person or group having a tyrannical hold over the nation. He believed

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 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.

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

While Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson laid their interests in distinctive areas of the nation and enforced their beliefs with differing actions, many similarities can be found between the two presidents. For example, both presidents portrayed themselves as the “common man”, advocating for the lower classes and believing that the federal government should not be involved in state affairs. Both opposed the ruling of the aristocratic elite and advocated for “equal rights for all, special privileges for none”. However, although both believed that majority should have power, Jefferson and Jackson had contradictory views on education, holding office, and industrialization - all of which influenced their actions as president. Jefferson changed