Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson

“I cannot be intimidated from doing that which my judgment and conscience tell me is right by any earthly power.”

This quote by Jackson underlies the fact the he was a selfish, tyrannical ruler. He did not make decisions based on the interests of the whole nation but on his own personal benefit, in search of self- achievement. Although he was portrayed or possibly manipulated the citizens to believe that he was a president for the common man, that was simply not the way he acted. As president, he purposely ignored the power of the Judicial branch to judge laws, and strengthened the power of the Executive branch above the limits in the Constitution. He was also said to be rude and uneducated, which might have led to the reasons why he was such a power hungry tyrant; but before one makes this harsh judgment they must first realize the type of life that Andrew Jackson lived. It almost certainly was the main reason why his thought process was so different from the regular wealthy, educated earlier presidents.

The third child of Irish immigrants, he joined the Army when he was only thirteen years old. Although he was young he had already developed hatred towards the British, because his oldest brother was killed fighting in the Revolution. Even though Jackson was an exceptional soldier, both him and his middle brother were captured by British troops.

After their mother pleaded for their release, the boys were set free, but due to the poor living conditions of the army camp, Jackson’s family was overcome by the smallpox disease. Leaving him all alone in life. This traumatic time in his life could have been the start of all his psychological problems.

It seems that trouble almost always found Jackson. After being a lawyer for only a few years, an argument with another lawyer in the town led to an insult. Eventually Jackson challenged the man to a duel. Things did not look good for Jackson's opponent because Jackson was a notoriously good shot, but at the last minute Jackson offered his enemy some bacon and a joke, and they laughed together. This shows Jackson had the power to manipulate people. In just a few years of law Jackson, now eighteen met his soon to be wife, Rachel Robards. There was a small problem though…Rachel was married. But Jackson being the terrifying man that he was, played with a huge knife during the divorce trial; this p...

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...er as president by exceeding his limits and allowing his personal happiness and emotions influence his decisions that may have affected him positively but affected the rest of the United States in a negative way; which was unbelievably selfish. He left the nation with confusion and failures instead of contributing to it, achievements. Jackson once said, “I know what I am fit for. I can command a body of men in a rough way; but I am not fit to be President.”

I do not think he realized how right he was.

Bibliography

1. Cayton, Andrew, Perry, Elisabeth I. and Allan M. Winkler. American Pathways to the Present. Needham: Prentice Hall, 1995

2. Kunhardt, Phillip B, Phillip III and Paul. “Andrew Jackson the 7th president.” The American President. (April 9, 2000): Online. Internet. May 2, 2001

3. Jackson, Andrew. “First Inaugural Address.” Inaugural addresses of the Presidents of the United States. (1989): p.3

4. Jackson, Andrew. “Second Inaugural Address.” Inaugural addresses of the Presidents of the United States. (1989): p.2

5. Zinn, Howard. ”As Long as the Grass Grows or Water Runs ” A Peoples History of the United States: 1492 to Present. New York City: Harper Collins, 1999