The Political Struggles of the Jacksonian Era Essays -

Throughout the period of 1820-1830, Jacksonian Democrats created a vastly popular political party. They were, of course, led by Andrew Jackson, a war hero and a man of the people. Jackson's followers who created the party were also "for the people." Such ideals were shown throughout various times within the period. The democrats were essentially guardians of the United States Constitution and, similarly, were protectors of individual liberties. In addition to this, the Jacksonian Democrats promoted political democracy, and also the equality of economic opportunity. Thus, the Jacksonian Democrats clearly served as protectors of the people, their individual liberties, their Constitution, their economic opportunities and their political democracy. Throughout the 1820's to 1830's, Jacksonian Democrats took large strides in political democracy and individual liberty. The major parties were the Democratic Party, led by Andrew Jackson. The Whig Party, a coalition of National Republicans, an d other opponents of Jackson, led by Henry Clay, along with Daniel Webster Minor parties that operated included the Anti-Masonic Party and the Liberty Party were the other parties fighting for the vote of the American people. The Second Party System reflected and shaped the political, social, economic and cultural atmosphere of the Jacksonian Era. Meanwhile economic modernizers, bankers, businessmen, commercial farmers, many of whom were already National Republicans, and Southern planters angry at Jackson's handling of the Nullification crisis were mobilized into a new anti-Jackson force; they called themselves Whigs. In the northeast, a moral crusade against the highly secretive Masonic order developed into a regular political party, the Anti-Masons, which soon combined with the Whigs. Jackson fought back by aggressive use of federal patronage, by timely alliances with local leaders, and with propaganda that identified the Bank and its agents as the greatest threat to the republica n spirit. Eventually his partisans called themselves "Democrats." The Democrats used speeches and print that alleged the Whig programs that would fatten the rich; the tariff would be for revenue only and did not to grow the manufacturing. Whigs argued that banks and paper money were needed. Public works programs to build roads, canals and railroads would give the country the infrastructure it needed for fast development the Whig Party stated. The Democrats didn?t want a complex change; they wanted more farms for regular people and planters to raise the families in the good old traditional style. More land was needed for that to happen, so they pushed for expansion south and west. Jackson conquered Florida for the US. At this time, the members of the party basically had one overwhelmingly large task on their minds: equal protection and equal benefits to all white male citizens and also, to prevent favoritism towards a specific region or class. Clearly, these ideals reflect what a dem ocrat really is, someone looking for equal rights for all. Of course, in this case, that only applied to white men. This ideal that the democrats always tried to follow was reflected in a variety of different situations throughout the decade. The Jacksonian Democrats were at first strongly against the concept of a spoils system, which gave political positions to people, not solely based on whether they were qualified, but rather, because of their privileged place in society. They believed that a man should always earn their job rightfully. Thus, through this ideal, the democrats provided a more equal political opportunity for all qualified men. The Jacksonian Democrats immediately took action by replacing the aristocrats in the government who enjoyed such a status for no good reason. They set out to form a system which would rotate different people in and out of these jobs. However, the Jacksonians wound up using the spoils system to elect members of their party. By doing this, they had a larger influence in government and could more easily pass laws to help the people. Jackson and his followers were always interested in the rights of the people of the United States. Therefore, when the United States found itself within the Nullification Crisis, Jackson responded immediately and with a just cause. While a threat of rebellion rose in South Carolina, Jackson threatened to send down an army to quash it, before further harm was done. This proves how dangerous nullification could be

Free Essays on The Devolution Of Human Civility At Corcyra

The Devolution of Human Civility at Corcyra â€Å"In 427, the tension in Corcyra erupted in open civil war between democrats and oligarchs.† (89, Thucydides) Thus begins Thucydides description of the civil war at Corcyra, an island off the coast of western Greece. Thucydides focuses on the different attitudes that were prevalent in Corcya during the course of the war. The civil war at Corcyra caused democrats and oligarchs to change from being relatively civil with each other to become savage, cruel, and anarchistic. As the Corcyrean oligarchs called upon the Spartans for aid and the democrats called in the Athenians, both sides gained confidence in their respective efforts, the latter gaining more confidence with their stronger ally. The war that ensued was all but chaos. Thucydides’ chapter on Corcyra is littered with phrases like â€Å"The Corcyreans went on killing as many of their own people as they took to be their enemies.† (90, Thucydides) New mentalities were adopted that could only be described as savage. People’s perceptions of each other devolved from cultured to almost barbaric. â€Å"Ill-considered boldness was counted as loyal manliness; prudent hesitation was held to be cowardice in disguise, and moderation merely the cloak of an unmanly nature.† (90-1, Thucydides) Actions or attitudes that did not display immediate and obvious support for one’s party was ridiculed, while rashness and anger were seen as masculine and admirable. â€Å"Sudden fury was accepted as part of manly valor, while plotting for one’s own security was thought a reasonable excuse for delaying action. A man who started a quarrel was always to be trusted, while one who opposed him was under suspicion.† (91, Thucydides) Every refined human emotion seemed to have the opposite effect in Corcyra during the civil war. Lines were drawn within the groups of oligarchs and democrats. All were expected to work for their alliance thinking in terms o... Free Essays on The Devolution Of Human Civility At Corcyra Free Essays on The Devolution Of Human Civility At Corcyra The Devolution of Human Civility at Corcyra â€Å"In 427, the tension in Corcyra erupted in open civil war between democrats and oligarchs.† (89, Thucydides) Thus begins Thucydides description of the civil war at Corcyra, an island off the coast of western Greece. Thucydides focuses on the different attitudes that were prevalent in Corcya during the course of the war. The civil war at Corcyra caused democrats and oligarchs to change from being relatively civil with each other to become savage, cruel, and anarchistic. As the Corcyrean oligarchs called upon the Spartans for aid and the democrats called in the Athenians, both sides gained confidence in their respective efforts, the latter gaining more confidence with their stronger ally. The war that ensued was all but chaos. Thucydides’ chapter on Corcyra is littered with phrases like â€Å"The Corcyreans went on killing as many of their own people as they took to be their enemies.† (90, Thucydides) New mentalities were adopted that could only be described as savage. People’s perceptions of each other devolved from cultured to almost barbaric. â€Å"Ill-considered boldness was counted as loyal manliness; prudent hesitation was held to be cowardice in disguise, and moderation merely the cloak of an unmanly nature.† (90-1, Thucydides) Actions or attitudes that did not display immediate and obvious support for one’s party was ridiculed, while rashness and anger were seen as masculine and admirable. â€Å"Sudden fury was accepted as part of manly valor, while plotting for one’s own security was thought a reasonable excuse for delaying action. A man who started a quarrel was always to be trusted, while one who opposed him was under suspicion.† (91, Thucydides) Every refined human emotion seemed to have the opposite effect in Corcyra during the civil war. Lines were drawn within the groups of oligarchs and democrats. All were expected to work for their alliance thinking in terms o...