The Democratic Value of Whitman's Leaves of Grass Essay

Jacksonian Democrats viewed themselves as the guardians of the United States Constitution, political democracy, individual liberty, and equality of economic opportunity. However, the Jacksonian Democrats were in a catch 22. In order for them to protect the interests of the common man, they at times had to violate the very things for which they stood. By doing this, the Jacksonian Democrats stressed the importance of the power of the common man, at times by violating their own principles.

When it came to political matters the Jacksonians “Democrats” favored states' rights and frowned upon the Federal Government’s involvement in social and economic affairs. The Democrats portrayed and thought of themselves as the common man, a lower-class person who made his living off the land. They also promoted the idea that anyone could hold a government position. This would glorify the individual and its mind.

Jacksonian Democrats viewed themselves as the guardians of the United States Constitution, political democracy, individual liberty, and equality of economic opportunity. In light of the following documents and your knowledge of the 1820's and the 1830's, to what extent do you agree with the Jacksonian's view of themselves.

Jacksonian democracy was created during the antebellum America. The Jackson democrats made an attempt to grant power to the lower classes while decreasing the influence of the rich and potent. The Jacksonian democrats viewed themselves as saviors of the common people and ruled by the means of a powerful executive branch who attempted to destroy aristocracy in America. In reality, they were typically very wealthy, they disregarded the capability of the federal government, and they desired equality only for the white man. The Jacksonian’s view of themselves was pompous because of their political views, their animosity towards minorities, and their economic policies.

Jacksonian democrats viewed themselves as the guardians of the Constitution, political democracy, individual liberty, and equality of economic opportunity." In light of the documents and your knowledge of the 1820s and 1830s, to what extent do you agree with the Jacksonians' view of themselves?

The “Jacksonian” Democracy’s meaning originates from the political philosophy of the 7th President of the United States, Andrew Jackson. The philosophy stated intentions was to strengthen the power of the poor lower class while weakening the influence of the rich upper class. As stated in “Jacksonian” democracy was intended to elevate the political process of the “common man”. Their efforts failed. Even though the term was intended to strengthen lower class people, Jacksonian democrats only advanced the interests of middle class white men. The Jacksonian democracy also was against centralized banks and believed that the economic stability of the nation did not rest upon the wealthy. The Jacksonian democracy divided the United States and favored sectionalism, which means favoritism based on region and not country as a whole. The Jacksonian democracy ultimately damaged the stability and union of the nation.

In Andrew Jackson’s letter to congress, dated December 8, 1829 he says, “...offices are created solely for the benefit of the people,...”(doc 6). Later, Jackson appointed a man that his Secretary of State, Van Buren, had advised against. But ADD INTRO HERE “...Jackson refused to listen. He liked Swartwout because he had been an early supporter…”(doc 7). Jackson is saying he wants the government officials to be for the people. However, when his time comes, Jackson appoints a criminal because he was one of Jackson’s supporters. Actions speak louder than words. Jackson tells us that he is for the “Common Man” and wants the government to exist for the people but when push comes to shove, he appoints the people that will help

Andrew Jackson expanded the political rights and democratic power the common man had. As time went on during and after Andrew Jackson’s presidency more and more people voted in presidential elections. Andrew Jackson created white male suffrage which allowed the common man to participate in government. Until Andrew Jackson’s presidency the common man’s vote wasn't represented in government, so the government was not democratic.“Jacksons victory accelerated the transfer of national power from the country house to the

In the mid-1800s, democracy, an idea where the branches of government follow the wishes of the People, was being spread in America. The 7th president of the United States, Andrew Jackson, did not positively contribute to the spread of democracy. He was a strong, self-made man, but struggled to turn America in the democracy he was determined to make. Andrew Jackson’s presidency, from 1828-1836, titled Jackson as not primarily democratic because of his veto of the National Bank and his abuse of the Spoils System; however implementation of the Indian Removal Act of 1830 proposed that Jackson was not completely undemocratic.

Relating to, appealing to, or available to the broad masses of people. Being Democratic is a trait that helps a president go far and be liked by many people. Andrew Jackson was the 7th president of the United States, elected in 1828, and a very good example of being democratic. He loved the people, and ruled for all of them, not just those of similar status. Andrew Jackson ran his government in a very people oriented way.

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

Political democracy was one of the resurfacing interests during the Jacksonian Era. Jacksonian Democrats saw it as their duty to protect the government run

Whitman wrote broad stanzas and focused on the whole of America as his inspiration. His lines covered a wide range of topics and generated multiple points of view for the reader. He called his life’s work “Leaves of Grass”; stressing the

In discussing the Madisonian Dilemma, one must first ask, “How do you give government enough authority to preserve social order and communal values, but not so much that it places unfair and inappropriate limits on individual freedom of choice?” (Bond & Smith 2013, p. 111) This delicate balance between governmental rights and individual freedoms has been a source of much contention and debate. James Madison, a primary framer of the Constitution and author of 30 of the Federalist Papers, believed that the only way this balance of power could be achieved was through controlling the effects of factions through a representative government, fragmenting the power of that government and creating a system of checks and balances within, and

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