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Jeffersonian vs. Jacksonian Democracy Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson were two influential political figures in two very different eras. Each formed their own democracy that helped shape the way people think about American government. Consequently, they had their differences, yet they also had their similarities. Viewpoints between the two democracies will be analyzed in political, economic, social, and religious aspects.
The Jeffersonian and Jacksonian democracies contrasted and compared to each other in the area of politics and economics. Foremost, the conditions in which a citizen was considered eligible for office holding was similar. In the Jeffersonian Democracy an eligible citizen was one that was average rather than rich and well born. Likewise, Jackson declared all ordinary and intelligent citizens equally qualified to serve. However, he eventually started what was known as the “spoils system” in which long-term officeholders were removed for rotation.
Each man’s attitude toward the Bank of the United States was comparable. Jefferson encouraged State banks and was originally opposed to the national bank. Similarly, Jackson and his followers strongly opposed the Second Bank of America. He won the “Bank War” by having federal income deposited in state banks, which he continued to draw money out of the national bank. In summary, the political and economic conditions of the Jeffersonian Jacksonian Democracies were equally related and different.
Thus, Jackson believed that schools restricted individual liberty by interfering with parental responsibility and undermined freedom of religion by replacing church schools. The extent in which separation of church and state was accomplished was unrelated. Jefferson proposed the Statue for Religious Freedom, separating church and state and removing the private right of religious belief from control by public law. However Jackson believed that a strong federal government restricted individual freedom and he was against religious reform.
In brief, the social and religious viewpoints of Jefferson and Jackson had their likes and differences. To conclude, it is quite clear to see how sharp and distinct the similarities and differences were between the Jeffersonian and Jacksonian Democracies. More specifically, they are shown in the areas of politics, economics, social life, and religion. Indeed, their viewpoints, opinions, and ideas all helped establish the strong democracy today.