Jacksonian Democracy

3 Pages 638 Words

During Andrew’s Jackson presidency from 1829-1837 many changes in our government took place. During his reign he reduced national debt, became the first president to ride a train, and he extended the right to vote to all males who didn’t own land. This caused a major debate in our great country because suddenly all white men could help determine our nations future. Arguments both pro and con were brought up in the states. To determine the validity of these arguments one must look at who said the quote and when it was said. These arguments came to center stage in New York where a proposal was written to drop the property requirement for voting. The state constitution revision committee chair, Nathan Sanford, supported this proposal. He asserted his position in a report where he states that “the only qualifications to [to vote] seem to be the virtue and morality of the people.” On the other hand the chief justice of New York’s highest court, states, “The tendency of universal suffrage is to jeopardize the rights of property.” These two quotes show the vast differences of opinion during Jackson’s presidency.


In the early 1830s a french sociologist, Alex de Tocqueville traveled to America observed American society. Eventually he wrote a book Democracy in America. In this work he praises the American people for their talents as abilities while at the same time criticize the people in government saying” The race of American statesmen has evidently dwindled…” (Doc 3) Tocqueville wonders why the best men aren’t always placed at the head of the government and endorses universal suffrage in America. He also states “Democracy is not only deficient In that soundness of judgment which is necessary to select men really deserving of its confidence but has neither the desire nor the inclination to find them…” He is telling the reader about American indifference to who gets elected and he is making a p...