Jazmyn Vonner Kilker 9th Block Oct. 13 2017 Andrew Jackson Andrew Jackson was, and still is, a controversial subject when referring to his presidency and his contributions to America. Nonetheless, he is still one of the most polarizing political and influential beings of his time. The creation of an extremely successful political party, that is still in use today, was one of his greatest achievements. Jackson’s intense drive for discipline and organization helped mold the role of the president for future candidates. Jackson’s impact was so severe that his era was titled “The Age of Jackson” . This title was extremely well deserved because during Jackson's time before and during his presidency he made many heavily criticized and appreciated …show more content…
In 1828, during Adams’ presidency, a tariff was passed on imported goods that protected the northern, more industrialized, industry from British prices. The south, which was mainly agricultural, were enraged at this tariff because they felt that it only benefited the north. The state of South Carolina began, what is known as, the Nullification Crisis. South Carolina nullified the tariff, which means that they found the law unconstitutional and would declare the law void in the state. They also prohibited the collection of federal tariff duties and threatened to secede from the Union if force was used against them. Jackson urges Congress to lower the high tariffs while trying to obtain the authority to use force against South Carolina to enforce the law. Eventually the Force Bill and the Compromise Tariff of 1833 arose. The Force Bill, which gave Jackson that authority and the Compromise Tariff of 1833, which gradually reduced the tariff over the next eight years. South Carolina responded to these by supporting the lowering of the tariff and nullifying the force bill. By doing this Jackson proved his determination in preserving the
As the author of Andrew Jackson and the Search for Vindication, James C. Curtis seems to greatly admire Andrew Jackson. Curtis pointed out that Jackson was a great American general who was well liked by the people. As history shows, Andrew Jackson had his flaws; for example, he thought the National Bank of the United States was going to kill him but he was determined to kill it first. He resented the Bank because he thought it was the reason for the Panic of 1819. Andrew Jackson was elected to the presidency in 1824 after first being nominated in 1822. He was sixty-one when he was elected the seventh president of the United States.
South Carolina’s decision to invalidate the federal law and deem the tariff unconstitutional was the first blatant disregard for the centralized government. The United States, under Jackson’s presidency, did not unite and support one another in the face of the economic tariff and hardships. Instead, the states nullified (South Carolina in particular) and the individualistic ideals and motivations of the states were exposed. State opinions, such as that of South Carolina were focused solely on their own personal benefit and how they would survive the hardships of the tariff. During the Age of Jackson, there was no unification between the states. The ideals of Jacksonian America were flawed by the growing sectionalism and individualistic ideals. The total equality and unification that Jacksonian America attempted to create was no longer an option. Jacksonian America failed, and in result, did not promote the unified democracy in the United
Andrew Jackson, revered as the first common man to become President, symbolized the average citizen having the opportunity to climb the ranks within America 's democratic system. However, the profits of Jackson 's administration succeed in concealing his immoral procedures and behavior. Jackson 's methods worked accordingly to the reasoning of the father of political science, Machiavelli, who said, “The end justifies the means”. He achiev...
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
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.
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.
Political unrest within the advocating for Nullification virtually declares the United States Constitution nonexistent. To propel, and support secession is radical and creates separate entities trying to coexist amongst each other while avoiding the issue. In the matters of the government, constitutional propriety should be enforced and upheld with the upmost respect. However, when the driving force behind promoting constitutional propriety has a hidden agenda that is repugnant in nature then there is bound to be disputes. The Nullification Crisis was a result of the Tariff of 1828 and the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions were the result of the Alien and Sedition Acts. The similarities between the Alien and Sedition Acts and the Tariff of 1828, is that both on the surface, seemingly were actions implemented by Congress because of war. These parallel actions also were induced by political parties seizing an opportunity to publically discredit, embarrass, and fluster the opposing party. Much like today, of one political party attempting to dominate Congress, the passing of the Alien and Sedition Acts by the Federalist controlled congress was an attempt to weaken the Jeffersonian Republicans. The passing of the Tariff of 1828 was to economically protect industries in the north, which weaken the southern states. This further aggravated the intensely growing animosity between the Northern and Southern States. Unilaterally, the Tariff of 1828 favored the northern industries and caused the southern states especially South Carolina to pay higher prices on goods that they were unable to produce.
Andrew Jackson is one of the most controversial presidents. Many regard him as a war hero, the father of the Democratic Party, an inspiring leader, and a spokesman for the common man. While there is plenty to praise about the seventh president, his legacy is tarnished by his racism, disregard for the law of the land, cruelty towards the Native Americans, and ruthless temper. Jackson was an intriguing man who was multi-faceted. One must not look at a singular dimension, and cast judgment on him as a whole. To accurately evaluate one of the most complex presidents, it is crucial to observe Jackson from all possible angles. Prior lifestyle, hardships in life, political ideology, lifestyle of the time, political developments, and his character
A crucial question that was well discussed during the time of Jackson’s presidency was whether or not he was democratic, meaning he supported the people having control over government, or autocratic, meaning he had absolute power over the country. Because of the “Kitchen Cabinet” and the National Bank Controversy, it is evident that Jackson was more autocratic rather than democratic
He allowed for change in voting rights from just men who owned land to white males who were of the age of twenty-one could have the right to vote. This is so more common men were able to vote. While trying to build up America’s economy from the deficit of the war, he raised tariffs on the south. The tariffs of the south seem to double what was imposed on the north creating confrontations between South Carolina and The Federal Government. South Carolina sees the tariff as unfair and decided to nullify the tariff. As a result, it led to South Carolina’s attempt to secede from the Union. In 1828-1832, this caused what is known as the Nullification Crisis during Jackson’s term. In an attempt to defuse the conflict, Congress decided to pass Force Bill. This bill allowed Jackson to threaten South Carolina with military force if necessary if renegotiations or compromise were not met. He also grew rather impatient with the French government’s bureaucracy of non-existent to delinquent reparation payments for assistance in the war with the Great Britain. Although, the French did not agree with Jackson’s politically incorrect undiplomatic actions towards the situation, they eventually repaid their debt to the
Andrew Jackson demonstrated his leadership and running for election with the fame of war hero just like Washington. In Contrast, John Quincy Adams didn't achieve anything memorable during his administration. Instead, he used to be splendid Secretary of State to James Monroe. He’s more suitable to be assistant rather than being a president. Only concerns about Jackson is that he’s a slaveholder and afflicted with a violent temper (The American Pageant, Pg.262). Therefore, he has a possibility of exceeding his duty like what he did during the Florida acquirement. Actually, under Jackson, we weren’t able to relieve because of fear that he may cause
During The Jacksonian Era many different views and ideas were predominant about the United States. The Jacksonian Democrats were a loose coalition of different peoples and interests pulled together by a common practical idea. That idea was that they all were followers of President Andrew Jackson. Jacksonian Democrats viewed themselves as guardians of the Constitution when in fact they were not. When dealing with politics and ideas within the Democratic Party of the time the Jacksonians proved to be both guardians and violators of the Constitution. Individual liberty is another area in which the Jacksonians were advocates to different sides of the topic at different times. The Jacksonians also proved to be champions for equality of economic opportunity. The Jacksonians demonstrated themselves to be, not the proponents they thought they were, but instead violators of the US Constitution.
Of what little education I had received on the life of President Andrew Jackson, three phrases came to mind: a man of the people, a poor diplomate that favored aggression, and a war hero. According to chapter 7 of Howard Zinn’s book, only one of these statements was true- that he favored violence. Zinn describes Jackson as “a land speculator, merchant, slave trader, and the most aggressive enemy of the Indians in early American history. He became a hero of the War of 1812, which was not (as often depicted in American textbooks) just a war against England for survival, but a war for the expansion
Before Andrew Jackson became president, he had a rough life. His parents died when he was young so he grew up without guidance. Jackson was in all the fights he could pick and to many, a wild child. By age 17, he calmed down and began planning his life. It wasn’t until after he had enrolled in the war of 1813 and showed great leadership and strength, that he was in the spot for presidency. (BG Essay) Many people believe in a Democratic nation. Not everyone follows one though. In a democratic nation, the voices of the people are heard. The leader(s) listen and make changes the people want done. Throughout Andrew Jackson’s time in office, he showed his country many undemocratic actions. He made some great changes and some not so great friendships. How democratic was Andrew Jackson? In the eyes of some, Jackson was not democratic. In many of his actions, he is shown to take one side of two things and do anything to make sure that side
To some people Andrew Jackson is remembered as the, metaphorically speaking, “People’s King” and is accused of dictator-like political moves. However, Andrew Jackson was quite the contrary, he was exalted amongst the people for being the new era of democracy: instilling a political revolution, the protection of the American people, and social equality among the masses. Therefore, Andrew Jackson was a precedent of democratic rule in the United States.