Andrew Jackson : True American

Andrew Jackson was the first "peoples president”. His humble frontier heritage and heroic title won support throughout the nation. Jackson was in touch with the common man and had respect for him. This for once, allowed the “people” to have a more dominant role in government, which is something that America prides itself upon today. His Presidency was plagued with controversy, but President Jackson used his power as President to unite a sometimes-divided nation and establish a precedent of power for future American leaders. States' rights, the nullification crisis, the spoils system, Indian removal and banking policies were all controversies which brought forth strong rivalry and resentment throughout his years as president, but Jackson’s strong will and assertiveness got our country through these times. President Andrew Jackson did not overstep the boundaries of the executive branch of government; he only strengthened these boundaries which were already in place.

Andrew Jackson had a heroic military past. In 1810 Jackson was named Major General in the Tennessee Militia. Here Jackson became famous for his victories over the rebel Creek Indians. These victories impressed leaders in Washington and Jackson was put in charge of the defense of New Orleans in the war of 1812. Jackson was able to lead his troops to victory and solidify himself as a dominant figure in the US armed forces. This show of American strength made Americans feel proud after a war filled with many military defeats. This sense of nationalism lead to a time known as “the era of good feelings. Jackson was given the nickname "Old Hickory", and was treated as a national hero.

In 1817 he was ordered against the Seminole Indians. He pushed them back into Spanish Florida and continued to take the rest of the land from the Spanish. Many to this day claim Andrew Jackson was not authorized to do so, but in reality he was. He and President Monroe both realized the acquisition of Spanish lands would strengthen the nation. On December 28, 1817, Monroe wrote Jackson a provocative note explaining his true intention for Florida. “This days mail will convey to you an order to repair to the command of the troops now acting against the Seminoles, a tribe which has long wilted our right and insulted our national character. The movement...

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...son's response to this came on his Nullification Proclamation. He declared that he was determined to enforce the law if South Carolina tried to leave the union, but would compromise in lowering the tariff. In 1833 congress passed a compromise bill, which set a new tariff. South Carolina and the other Southern States were satisfied with the compromise and the union was preserved due to the execution of Andrew Jackson. He used his executive powers for good and left both northerners and southerners happy.

Andrew Jackson and his policies strengthened the new American nationalism. Through his actions during his presidency, he reformed the government and improved the lives of the American people. He changed America into less of an aristocracy and more of a democracy to benefit the common man. Some say he abused his power, but in order to make such a profound change as he did, you must be strong and stand up for what you believe in. That is what Andrew Jackson did. He proved the reality of the American dream.

Works Cited

Remini, Robert. The Life of Andrew Jackson New York: Harper & Row Publishers, 1988

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