Jacksonian Democrats helped to create a more democratic America and because of this, believed to be many things, some real and some fictional. In most cases they perceived themselves as defenders of equal economic opportunity, even though they occasionally put their own interests before those of the people. They also thought of themselves as guardians of political democracy, while using class differences to their advantage to bring support. Jacksonian Democrats felt that they were the protectors of the Constitution and of individual liberties but many times they put their rivalry with the Northeastern industry and Whig politics before these ideals. While Jacksonians correctly viewed themselves as guardians of political democracy, equal economic opportunity, and individual liberty, they were often more interested in developing these concepts rather than protecting them. Jackson was a strong opponent of the unequal and aristocrat dominated economic structure in most of America. He was very against the Bank of America because he believed it to have a monopoly on banking and felt that it was owned and run unjustly by wealthy aristocrats who were not always true Americans (B). It must also be noted however, that while the Bank of America was undoubtedly corrupt (Nicholas Biddle was known to have given sums of money to close friends, and was also known to regularly bribe newspapers and similar media.) it also did what it was supposed to do very well. It provided money and credit to many of the working classes that Jackson defended, and also was the source of much economic growth. As a result of this veto, Jackson established pet banks in many Western areas to try to appease his main group of supporters and build up the rivalry between the agrarian South and West and the industrial North (C). Many immigrants found that one of the first things they discovered upon entering America was a sense of economic equality and lack of poverty, which are exactly the things Jackson was working towards (D). The case of Charles River Bridge v. Warren Bridge, decided that a charter given a person or group to do a service, does not allow that group to have complete rights over said service. This decision supports the Jacksonian Democracy ideas that the rights of the community are more important than the rights of business (H). However, it is also important to know that Jackson elected Taney, and this decision, while supporting economic equality, also set a precedent for state’s intervention in commerce. The Jacksonian Democrats were very influential in the revolutions in political democracy that took place during this period. During this period universal white male suffrage took root and was the first step towards the revolution of the common man in politics. Also, Jackson's acceptance and support of the two-party system helped create a more democratic America in which people with similar views could unite in their support for a single candidate. Many "working men" of this time period felt they had been taken advantage of and misrepresented by tyrannical aristocrats who treated them poorly (A). Jackson used this to his advantage with emotionalized speeches exploiting class differences. However, it should be known

that during this time period the amount of voters increased dramatically which means that more Americans were involved in American politics (D). Jackson's use of the "Kitchen Cabinet" kept his knowledge of critics and the wants and needs of the people up to date. While many criticized him for this, the kitchen cabinet did in fact help protect political democracy as it kept Jackson aware of the common man. Finally the spoils system was clearly undemocratic. It advocated the employment of uneducated people unfit for government positions for no reason other than that they had supported Andrew Jackson. This system denies able minded people the right to contribute and instead replaces them with people who have no right being in government at all. In one case a man named Samuel Swartwout was given the position of Collector of Customs in New York fled to Europe with over a million dollars that belonged to the American government. Jacksonians felt that they were the guardians of the Constitution and defenders of individual liberty. As a President Andrew Jackson felt that he was responsible to the common people as he was their elected leader. This influenced him in many decisions. However, when he defied the Supreme Court in the Worcester v. Georgia case, saying, "John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it," he was clearly defying the Constitution and the individual liberties of the Cherokees because of a personal vendetta with John Marshall. After this he moved thousands of Native Americans, killing more than half, saying it was for the good of the common man (G). He also vetoed the bill for an interstate road through Kentucky claiming it was unconstitutional to make internal improvements. Document F influenced Jackson toward anti-abolition, a view he clearly expressed in has 1835 annual message to Congress. He tried to institute a "gag rule" which would stop abolitionist pamphlets and letters from entering Congress, which would be a severely unconstitutional breech on the freedom of speech of many Americans (F). While Jackson used the veto inappropriately he also used it well. He supported his vetoes with valid statements regarding his reasons and thoughts as to why he thought a bill violated the rights of the people (B). He also showed that he could be a defender of the Constitution during the Nullification Crisis. His belief that the states lacked personal sovereignty under the Constitution lead him to threaten South Carolina with military force, a tactic that proves his belief in the Constitution and its power. While Jacksonian Democrats may have been hypocritical calling themselves the guardians of the Constitution, political democracy, individual liberty and equal economic activity, they did do many things that encouraged each of these things. Their actions may have been more influenced by selfish desires and anti-industrial/Northeast attitudes than by the good of the people at some points, but they also followed through on their true democratic beliefs in many others. For these reasons Jacksonian Democrats were more developers and helpers than guardians of these democratic foundations.