Andrew Jackson: The Best or the Worst

836 Words2 Pages

On December 23, 1814, Andrew Jackson rode his way into history. His victory over the British on that day made him into a national hero. Jackson used this popularity to ensure his victory over John Quincy Adams in the election of 1828. But who was the real "Old Hickory?" Was Andrew Jackson the courageous, honor bound "man of the people", or, as his opponents liked to think, was he a hot tempered, poorly educated farm boy? This essay will present both sides of the case and try to reach a conclusion.
Jackson used his power as President to further his belief in a limited federal government. He accomplished this by vetoing any bill which he deemed to be either hindering the common man's rights, or expanding the federal government's power. Ironically though, in trying to limit governmental control, Jackson increased the President's power by vetoing more bills than the previous six presidents combined. These vetoes helped earn him the nickname "King Andrew I."
Vice President, John C. Calhoun, led a fierce southern opposition to the Tariff of 1828. Passed by John Adams, this tariff placed a heavy tax on imports. This greatly benefited the North, but forced Southerners to pay higher prices for manufactured goods. Finally, South Carolina declared that the law was unconstitutional, and argued that a state could nullify a federal law which they judged to be unconstitutional. Though Jackson believed in states rights, he thought that a nullification act would lead to disunion. He believed it was unconstitutional and considered it treason. Jackson favored a strict reading of the Constitution, and believed it was to be followed to the...

... middle of paper ...

...ral governments deposits from the bank and placed them is a series of "pet banks". This doomed the already failing bank. Jackson still won reelection in 1832, defeating Clay by a huge margin.
President Andrew Jackson was a very controversial man. At times, he fights for the common man with a clear head and a sharp mouth, but at others, his rage blinds him from what is truly happening around him. Nevertheless, he fought valiantly for keeping the Union together and for the ordinary citizen's rights as an American. The "black mark" of his presidency was the forced relocation of Native American peoples, from lands which they had live for many generations. Andrew Jackson was a living oxymoron. As James Patron wrote in Jackson's biography, Jackson was "the most law-defying, law-obeying citizen. A stickler for discipline, he never hesitated to disobey his superior."

Show More
Related

  • Andrew Jackson and the Indian Removal 1980 DBQ

    1271 Words  | 3 Pages

    Born March 15, 1767 on the Carolina frontier, Andrew Jackson would eventually rise from poverty to politics after the War of 1812 where he earned national fame as a military hero. Jackson won the popular vote in the 1829 election and became the seventh United States President. As President, Jackson sought out to be a representative of the common man. Jackson remarks in his veto message of July 10, 1832 that, “It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their selfish purposes.” Andrew Jackson put in place the Indian Removal Act of 1830. This act forced Natives off their homelands and onto the lands west of the Mississippi River. They encountered a journey, called the Trail of Tears, where they traveled by foot to what would be their new homes, which transformed the lives of thousands of Native Americans. The President’s intentions were to move all Natives west of the Mississippi River to open up the land to American settlers.

    Read More

  • Jackson Should Be Removed From the Twenty Dollar Bill

    953 Words  | 2 Pages

    Recognizing the injustices president Andrew Jackson performed, Americans have considered the dispute over the removal of Jackson 's face from the twenty dollar bill. The real question remains why place America 's figures in iconic positions based on fame? Benedict Arnold is famous, yet he was a traitor to America . Why not place figures that contributed to the well-being of the country and upheld humane morals? Jackson 's administration only improved the system, initiating the progress toward a modern democratic government. Under President Jackson, the elimination of voter property qualifications allowed a variety of citizens from different social classes to elect government officials 1. Jackson also ended the national banks that resembled the greedy monopolies of the late 1800's 1.

    Read More

  • Essay On The Northwest Ordinance Of 1787

    1857 Words  | 4 Pages

    This helped manufacturers from New England, and led to a crisis known as the nullification crisis. Vice President John C. Calhoun of South Carolina argued that states had a right to nullify this law. Many southerners were against tariff because they feared that if the federal government could do that, they could end slavery as well. They hoped to stop this by nullifying the tariff law because it would weaken the federal government. President Andrew Jackson defended the tariffs, and Congress listened to Jackson, and passed another tariff law. After that, South Carolina became fed up and threatened to secede. Eventually, the two sides came to peace and ended the

    Read More

  • Andrew Jackson Cruel

    341 Words  | 1 Pages

    The southerners (south carolina) nullified the act and threatened to secede from the union. The Tariff of Abominations was the tax on raw goods which was meant to help the north. This angers the south and south carolina threatens to leave the USA. VP Calcoun says to nullify the tariff and Jackson says NO!!! We will use military force.

    Read More

  • Andrew Jackson A Good Or Bad President Essay

    768 Words  | 2 Pages

    Andrew Jackson was elected by popular vote and became the seventh president of the United States in March 4, 1829.[1] In his presidency, I have known and perceived that he has done few of great actions. But in my opinion, I would not claim that he was either a good or bad president because I learned about his attainments in life, being a president, a fighter in wars, etc.; however, I have also learned some of his unimpressive performance that led to some people who did not find it convenient.

    Read More

  • Andrew Jackson Dbq

    1002 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the year of 1824, tempers were flaring and insults were being exchanged as politicians argued over who would be the sixth president of the United States. John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson were the two major candidates in the election. However, this would be an election that would be remembered in history for its unique result. Despite being the more popular candidate, Andrew Jackson would not become the president. The presidential election of 1824 is remembered as one of the most controversial elections to have ever occurred in the history of the United States.

    Read More

  • Jacksonian Era Bound By Morality

    1978 Words  | 4 Pages

    Old Hickory himself, President Andrew Jackson, knew the importance of having the common man behind him in a democracy; even if in reality he was not behind the common man. Jackson, who sought divine intervention, used the loyalties of believers to push through his agenda against the banks. The banks became “the evil giant” (the Goliath) that sought to destroy this new country along with its citizens. Jackson used his knowledge of religion to gain support and public opinion as he convinced them that his motives were righteous. In Harry L. Watson’s book, Liberty and Power, he wrote;

    Read More

  • Andrew Jackson: A Man of Contradition

    2209 Words  | 5 Pages

    Andrew Jackson has been described as a great hero of his time and a man who was atrocious and would destroy the Union. Andrew Jackson accomplished a great number of things during his life but some of his actions were quite questionable. Looking from the present to the past gives insight into areas where the events can be examined more objectively. However, it is vital when examining past events to keep in mind the mindsets of the past. People had a different point of view and a different perspective than the current one. This must be kept in the forward part of the mind to understand the actions of those in the past. This paper will serve as a guide into the life of Andrew Jackson, his trials and tribulations, decisions and contradictions. From the beginning of his life, he was headstrong and that would lead him straight into the history books.

    Read More

  • The Reasons Why Andrew Jackson Was Democratic?

    1497 Words  | 3 Pages

    He made the Native Americans feel unwelcomed in their own country by taking their land and shipping them off were they would not bother a white man. Jackson also changed the voting system to benefit his own needs while in office. He was also overwhelmed by the amount of power he possessed and eventually succumbed to the temptations of selfishness. Although President Andrew Jackson was certainly not democratic, he allowed future presidents to learn from his mistakes so that history does not repeat itself. His time as president offered guidance to the true democracy America uses today in its

    Read More

  • Andrew Jackson: Maverick

    1649 Words  | 4 Pages

    Remini, Robert V. Andrew Jackson and the Course of American Freedom 1822-1832. Vol. 2. NY: Harper & Row, 1981. Print.

    Read More

  • Andrew Jackson Argumentative Essay

    820 Words  | 2 Pages

    Andrew Jackson was the epitome of the American Dream. He worked his way from being an orphan and a war prisoner before he was 14, to being the greatest military general America had ever seen. He won the battle of New Orleans and took over Florida with his own army. Common citizens marveled at his war tactics and his record of cheating death. He ran for President in 1824 and nearly won, if not for a “corrupt bargain”. He was the champion of the people, and the common men loved him. Despite all this, Andrew Jackson is infamous as one of the worst Presidents in the history of the United States. As President, he caused the economic crisis of 1837, he implemented the spoils system to reward cronies, and he ordered the genocide of Native

    Read More

  • Pros And Cons Of Andrew Jackson

    820 Words  | 2 Pages

    Andrew Jackson was the seventh president of the United States and was one of the most controversial presidents ever. Jackson initially gained national fame through his role in the War of 1812, where he led a victory over the British at the Battle of New Orleans. Three year laters, Jackson invaded the Spanish-Florida territory which directed to the Adams-Onis Treaty. Although Andrew Jackson proved to be a great military strategist, his unneeded hostility, which was brought out in the Spoils System, the Indian Removal Act, and the ongoing feud with the National Bank, ultimately classify him as poor president.

    Read More

  • The Legacy Of Andrew Jackson

    1363 Words  | 3 Pages

    Andrew Jackson, Southerner, by Mark Cheathem, is an in-depth book on President Jackson’s life and ideologies. Cheatham is a professor at Cumberland University, which is located thirty minutes away from the Hermitage, Jackson’s mansion. His knowledge of the period, lifestyle, and specifically Andrew Jackson’s life while at the Hermitage is astounding. The bulk of his works and article dove into the Jacksonian period and America’s early republic. From the rise of the Democrats to the life of Andrew Jackson’s nephew, Cheathem is a historian who studies ninteenth century history. However, bias was present in the book, since he depicted the South in a positive light. Perhaps, it is because he is from the South. At any rate, slight bias is present within the book, and should be noted when taking into account Jackson’s background, and its effect on Jackson’s

    Read More

  • The Controversy of Andrew Jackson

    622 Words  | 2 Pages

    Andrew Jackson was a controversial man. He was greatly admired by many, but despised by others. Andrew Jackson was raised by his father and also lived along with his brother. His mother died shortly after giving birth. He grew up poor and right in the mist of the American Revolution. He fought in the Revolutionary War at thirteen years of age. He went on to become a lawyer and then moved to Tennessee where in met his wife. Later in life he became a delegate or the Tennessee Constitutional Convention, then a United States representative, followed by serving as a Tennessee senator. He later became a judge of Tennessee superior court. He then became a major general for Tennessee militia where he wins over many of the colonist at the victory of the New Orleans war. He becomes a great conqueror in the eyes of Americans people. However, high class people do not appreciate his unruly attitudes. Then it all comes down to the presidency. How he received the honor, what he did with it, and what people thought about his actions.

    Read More

  • Andrew Jackson: The People's King

    835 Words  | 2 Pages

    Andrew Jackson had many significant contributions to the democratic state of the country. One of those contributions, as stated in document B, was Jackson’s victory of the 1928 Presidential election. What this election did was accelerate the transfer of power from the national elite to the common-man; the universal-white-men now had a larger role in the government. As the graph in document A shows, the methods of electing Presidential electors before Jackson’s Presidency was for-the-most-part dominated by state legislature, it was during Jackson’s administration by which the people were electing Presidential electors. As President, Jackson sought to rid the government of all its corrupt officials. This is backed up by the information in document D, which states that Jackson believed that the offices should be rotated every four years and filled by the people. The same document states that Jackson believed the president should serve a single term of no more than four or six years; the senators should have similar constraints with subjection to removal. All of this was fueled by his theory that there was more to be gained with the rotation of office holders that the long continuance of them and that office were not created to give certain men support rather than help the people, as ex...

    Read More

More about Andrew Jackson: The Best or the Worst

Open Document