Westward expansion and Jackson's economic policies influenced the development of democracy by maintaining a republic where economic and political power were widely spread, social classes were restricted and yeomen farmers ruled themselves through local governments. By upholding this Jeffersonian type democracy, America was able to prevent drastic social and fiscal changes which would have changed national government between 1820 and 1850.
             Westward expansion was key in preventing economic concentration and the rise of densely populated cities. Jefferson, who largely influenced American migration to the west, aimed to reduce the national government, lessen the influence of the northeastern merchants and creditors in the national government and promote the yeomen farmer ideal. Jefferson believed that a democratic country was one where people rule through small yeomen farmer governments with little interference by federal institutions. Because Jefferson made federal land extremely cheap and easily accessible through the rise of canals and railroads the poorer populations of the urban east were able to spread out and seek economic opportunities. This ideal was viewed as highly democratic for the times
             Jackson's primary economic policies were to eliminate the tariff and the national bank which lessened the power of federal government and empower the executive branch as the democratic representative of the people. By doing so his appointed chief justice was able to persuade the Court to reduce the power of corporations, weaken monopolies, favor market competition, and enhance the legislative authority of the state. Jackson's policies limited the rise of the Commonwealth and industry which threatened Jefferson's view of a yeomen farmer democracy.
             The combination of westward expansion and Jackson's economic policies influenced the development of democracy by allowing the independent farmers to rule through nearby governments without th...