Jacksonian Era Essay, Research Paper
To hungry insects, the Ladybug looks to be a beautiful meal, but once
they bite inside they are sure to find a strong poison which is displeasing to
the mouth. At first glance, the newly established America was a stronghold
of wealth and prosperity. If one was to look past the shiny exterior, it would
show a country full of strong political differences that were not pleasing to
the eye. In front of it all, was the Jacksonian party-later called the
Democrats- whose potent political views shown bright in the midst of the
fight of America’s political power battle. The Jacksonians strived for equally
to all men; therefore, they dedicated their lives the achieving equality and
political justice.
To begin with, the Jacksonians believed that they should not be
submissive to the richer classes. They stated that all men were created
equal and that all men should be treated with the equivalent respect. ” We
hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal.” It was
conceived that the wealthy landowners should not be allowed to dominate
the Government power. It was not always that the wealthy men were the
wise men. Many small farmers and business men were more highly
educated than the wealthy. The Jacksonians believed that the Government
should be run in a fashion that was upheld by intelligence, not material
wealth. The Jacksonians views were equally based on the fact that everyone
is entitled to individual liberty. No one man could be treated any higher or
lower because of common wealth. They believed that the common people
were better off with learned people in office, not wealthy people with no
political background. These beliefs were showcased in the issued of
renewing the Bank of the United States.
Seemingly, Jackson and his Jacksonians believed that the Bank of
the United States was beginning to become a monopoly. There were more
foreign stocks held in the Bank then were American stocks. This led to the
ideal that the Bank was being controlled by people outside of the country
who, in reality, had no driving force to uphold the Government’s financial
situation. Also, the Bank was beginning to have say in the way the laws were
being made, and the Jacksonians saw this as a way of the Bank slowly
taking control of the Government. This would be a reinstatement of their
belief that the wealthy were in control of America.
Next, Jackson’s interest in the western settlement and his feelings as
a former Indian fighter led to his policy of removing all eastern Indian tribes
to lands beyond the Mississippi River, under the Indian Removal Act of 1830.
Although the Supreme Court tried to prevent the state of Georgia from
expelling the Cherokees in 1832, Jackson would not enforce the court’s
decision. The removal policy was popular with white settlers who acquired
the valuable land, but it proved tragic for thousands of Indians. This Trail of
Tears was backed by the Jacksonians who looked upon the expansion as a
way to not only acquire land, but to show others that Jackson’s laws should
not be tampered with. They believed their political views did not stand to be
corrected.
Meanwhile, other spectators saw America as a clean-cut place where
there were a few political problems. People seemed to see America as a
place ran by people who were educated and doing actions which showed
their devotion to the country. The Jacksonians on the other hand, saw to
Government as fake and not being able to back up their promises.
Corporations and business owners were taking away from the peace of the
people. In Charles River Bridge v. Warren Bridge, the large business owners
were trying to upscale their company, while the rest of the community
suffered. The Jacksonian, believing that everyone is equal, fought that the
bridge should kept public for the people, so that they would not have to pay
a toll charge. Again the Jacksonians were looking out for the good of the
people.
Furthermore, the Jacksonian party strived for equality to all
mankind. Their to preserve this equality did not go unnoticed. With the
President on their side, there was no stopping them. Their party grew to be
a strong, active alliance rooting in the benefit of not only improving their
living conditions, but others as well. Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of
Happiness was implanted into the minds of the Jacksonians. This party is
now the Democrat party.