| In the course of the history of the United States of America, many great men have made their mark. The list of these men becomes ever shorter as the scope is narrowed to those who served as president. Two men in contention for such recognition are presidents Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson. Whether or not they are considered great is subjective, but there is a convincing amount of evidence that might sway ones opinion. Based on their policies, actions, and outcomes as president, neither Jefferson nor Jackson can be considered great presidents. Leading up to their elections, the political standing and objectives of the two men greatly differed, Jefferson the epitome of a republican, and Jackson a new age of democrat. What holds back both of these early American presidents from being great is their being incapable of standing by the political ideals they were elected upon. Starting with Jefferson, he backtracked on three specific policies. They are: desiring an agrarian republic, supporting small government, and lastly fostering freedom for all. Jefferson, it seems, felt the need to force his economic beliefs upon the people of America, and as president he thought it would work. He imagined an agrarian utopia, where everyone owned land, produced for him or herself, and was completely independent. To enforce this, Jefferson put in place the Embargo Act, prohibiting American ships from docking in foreign ports. This was unsuccessful, as Britain failed to notice, and the |
