HIS-144-RS-Evolution of Democracy Worksheet

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May 7, 2024

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Name: Amber Sweatt HIS-144-ONL: Evolution of Democracy 1. Compare and contrast the nation’s government from Jefferson’s era with Jackson’s era. Who was eligible to participate in the democratic processes when each was elected (who could vote)? How did that impact who was represented in the federal government? (200-300 words) Thomas Jefferson was the third president and served from March 4, 1801 – March 4, 1809. He was against an overly strong centralized government and felt the people should have more control over themselves. He believed farmers (yeomen) were the backbone of the nation and should take precedence over political decision making. This was made apparent by the ability for only landowners to vote. During Jefferson’s presidency there were two important developments made. The first being judicial review or the ability for the courts to declare acts of Congress unconstitutional and therefore null and void. The second being the determination that partisanship is not illegal. Jefferson wanted to expand westward to allow farmers more territory to grow their crops to be more self-sufficient instead of working in mills and factories. During his presidency, there were three key events that helped with westward expansion: the Louisiana purchase, the expedition of Lewis and Clark, and new land policies (Schults, 2018). Andrew Jackson was the seventh president and served from March 4, 1829 – March 4, 1837. In his first year of presidency, white men that did not own property were allowed to vote therefore allowing more people to participate in politics. He participated in patronage in exchange for government jobs. Many times, people were given government jobs not because of their support for Andrew Jackson and his political standpoints. In his presidency, Jackson dealt with the nullification crisis. The high tariffs affected the south leading South Carolina to practice the nullification of federal law that they deemed to be unconstitutional. Jackson also disliked the federal banking system. Like Jefferson, Jackson believed that westward expansion was the best for the (white) Americans. He developed the Westward Expansion and Indian Removal Acts moved the Native Americans to the west of the Mississippi to allow for white settlement to the east of the Mississippi. During his presidency, the two-party system, the Whigs and Jacksons Democrats, were formed (Schultz, 2018). 2. Explain three ways the federal government changed or expanded from the time of Jefferson to Jackson. (200-300 words) During Thomas Jefferson’s terms in office, there was an emphasis on the farmer and their ability to own land and be self-sufficient. In this time, only white males that owned land were allowed to vote. This mainly included those that were wealthy, business owners, and farmers. This put the men who owned land in complete political control (Brown, 1999). In 1829, following the revolution and during Andrew Jackson’s first term in office, there was an expansion of the franchise. This expansion allowed all white men no matter if they owned property or not to vote; thus, giving political power to a larger group of men (Waldstreicher, 2010) . Both Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson believed it would be beneficial to expand westward for new territory (Brown, 1999). Jefferson was a huge advocate for the yeomen, farmers, and believed they were the backbone of the American nation. Expansion to the west would allow more land for Americans to cultivate; thus, allowing them to be more self-sufficient than those working in mills and factories. This was executed through the Louisiana Purchase, the expedition of Lewis and Clark, and new land policies that made it cheaper to buy land and in payments. Jackson also wanted to expand westward and accomplished this with the

Westward expansion and Indian Removal Acts. Which essentially moved the Native Americans to less desirable land west of the Mississippi River allowing for white settlement to the east of the Mississippi (Schultz, 2018). In the Jeffersonian Era there was an emphasis placed on the farmers and what policies needed to be put in place for their betterment. Jefferson believed farmers were the moral basis for good citizenship. Andew Jackson, on the other hand, was for the working man. Policies were determined on how they would impact the working/ common man. Examples include the 10-hour workday and the ability to vote even if one did not own land. Typically, only the wealthy or farmers owned land. Also, the workingman had to work physically demanding and sometimes dangerous jobs for long periods. These policies gave these men the ability to have some political say so (Schultz, 2018). 3. Identify one way that democracy changed after Jackson. How was this done? How does this impact America’s government today? (100-150 words) During Andrew Jackson’s presidency the two-party system was introduced. While there had been a divide between those who agrees with and opposed the policies presented by the current president beginning with George Washington and John Adams, there were no specific parties that represented specific government styles. The two-party system gave classification on how the individual believed the government should be run and how much power the government should have over the states/ the individual. In Jackson’s presidency the Jackson’s democrats and the Whig party were born. The Jackson’s democrats believed the federal government should be small and posses less control. They also believed that that America was divided into two groups: the common people and the wealthy/ business owners. The Whig party had opposing views; however, believing in a larger government that should possess more control, but should also use their funds and power to help the people of the nation by making improvements such as fixing railroads. The Whig party was for market capitalism, and they denied any conflict between the common people and the wealthy/ business owners. The two-party system is one that we still practice in America. The parties are now referred to as Republicans and Democrats (Waldstreicher, 2010).

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