Americans Equal Economic Opportunity example essay topic

Were the Jacksonian democrats accurate in callin themselves "guardians of the Constitution"? In American history, political parties have often taken responsibility of preserving the foundation in which America rested upon. Jacksonian Democrats, during their existence from 1829 to 1841, led a "crusade" where they heavily maintained the principles of the United States Constitution, protected individual liberties of Americans, and provided equality of economic opportunity for all people, of different classes. Although Jacksonian Democrats did many to preserve the Constitution, by advocating the principle of an equal society, protecting individual liberties by favoring laws for the common man, and giving all Americans equal economic opportunity, their beliefs did not apply to everyone; Native Americans were completely ignored. Jacksonian Democrats were protectors of the Constitution because they interpreted it strictly; eliminating any threat that might harm the principles of the Constitution, bringing about change. The Bank of the United States had operated under Nicholas Biddle since 1823.

Many of its enemies opposed it because it was too powerful and some even questioned its constitutionality. In July of 1832, a bill to recharter the Bank of the United States, which was promoted by Henry Clay and Daniel Webster, was submitted to President Jackson for signature which he flatly vetoed on the grounds that it was not "compatible with justice... or with the Constitution of our country". (Doc. B) He believed that it was unconstitutional for a single financial institution to profit from a monopoly on foreign and domestic exchange.

Furthermore, Jackson wanted to protect the common man from a powerful institution which was only led by few wealthy businessmen. In addition, George Henry Evans, a follower of Jacksonian Democracy, wrote The Working Man's Declaration of Independence in December of 1829, which shadowed the Constitution, where he stated that. ".. when a long train of abuses and usurpations take place... ". it is the right and duty of people to "use every constitutional means to reform the abuses of such a government". (Doc. A) The Bank of the United States was seen as an "evil" which tried to usurp the freedom of the common man; it needed to be destroyed. Even though the Jacksonians were successful in protecting the principle of the Constitution, which was equality, they were somewhat successful in protecting individual liberties of white Americans; however, the rights of Native Americans were ignored. Individual liberties prospered during Jacksonian democracy because Americans were given the right to be independent, different from European counterparts.

In 1834, British author Harriet Martineau visited the United States and wrote Society in America in 1837. Her visit amazed her "I had seen every man in the towns an independent citizen; every man in the country a landowner" (Doc. D) she described. In Britain, the lack of land and space forced men to work for others; many people could not easily become a landowner. On the contrary, individual liberties of Native Americans were completely ignored by President Jackson. Chief Justice Marshall decided that the Cherokee nation, along with Chickasaws, Creeks, and Seminole Indians that lived in the south, predominantly Georgia, had a right to their land.

His decision in Worcester vs. Georgia also included recognition of the Indian lands as a sovereign Indian state. Upon hearing Marshall's decision, Jackson said "Mr. Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it". He proceeded to illegally replace the Indians further west, forcing the Native Americans to march in the "Trail of Tears". (Doc. G) Many lives were lost, and rights of Indians were abandoned to accommodate the rights of white men. Likewise, the rights of Americans were restricted in the Acts and Resolutions of South Carolina (1835) since it made it illegal to distribute newspapers, pamphlets, or anything pertaining to the abolition movement that might motive a slave uprising.

The Jacksonians were trying to prevent future rebellions; however, they overlooked the rights of Americans. (Doc. F) Although Jacksonians failed to give Americans their full liberties, they were triumphant in providing equal economic opportunity for all Americans because they were fair in reaching agreements in Supreme Court cases. Equal economic opportunity flourished in the United States because every citizen could start their business and could trade for one good for another; capitalism was high. In addition, America had diverse markets. In 1837, a dispute arose over toll bridges over the Charles River.

The Charles River Bridge had been erected over the river, and another company began to build the Warren Bridge over it. The case reached the Supreme Court. Chief Justice Roger B. Taney found in favor of the Warren Bridge, on the premise that the proprietors of the Charles River Bridge had been granted the right to build a bridge, and to charge a toll, but had no other powers over the land. He found that "there is no exclusive privilege given to them over the waters... no right to erect another bridge... nor to prevent other persons from erecting one". (Doc.

H) Taney's decision was capitalistic which advocated equal economic opportunity. Despite Jackson's negative treatment to Native Americans, Jacksonian Democrats were the protectors of the Constitution, guarded individual rights of Americans, and provided equal economic opportunity for all. Jacksonians helped reform America by protecting the rights of the common man. Thus, Jacksonians were accurate in viewing themselves as guardians.