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 …show more content…
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 …show more content…
Inskeep said books who characterize Jackson’s side, depict the reasons why Jackson removed the Indians. While other books list the Indian population as major characters within their book, they claimed Jackson was stubborn, disregarded the law, was a murderer, and was nothing short of a racist. Inskeep took a neutral and unique approach when discussing the topic. The narrative is that of an observer, looking overhead as if in a display. This is the point of view Inskeep tried to capture in his book. Andrew Jackson and John Ross are the two key characters he showcased on a Democratic stage, in an attempt to understand both men’s motives and
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.
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...
...convince us Indians that our removal was necessary and beneficial. In my eyes, the agreement only benefited Andrew Jackson. It is apparent that Jackson neglected to realize how the Indian Removal act would affect us Indians. When is the government justified in forcibly removing people from the land they occupy? If you were a Native American, how would you have respond to Jackson? These questions need to be taken into consideration when determining whether or not Jackson was justified. After carefully examining these questions and considering both the pros and cons of this act, I’m sure you would agree that the removal of Native Americans was not justified under the administration of Andrew Jackson. Jackson was not able to see the damaging consequences of the Indian removal act because of his restricted perspective.
As soon as Andrew Jackson came into office, he fired 10% of the government’s employees, mainly from the post office, and placed his own supporters into the vacated posts. This may not have been a problem if he replaced these workers with people who were qualified, but the vast majority of Andrew Jackson’s appointments were incompetent. Thus, the government became bloated and less efficient. Andrew Jackson development of a special system to reward his cronies with government jobs without formal training, demonstrates that Andrew Jackson should be remembered as
The Age of Jackson, written by Arthur M. Schlesinger, focuses on the long lasting effects of Andrew Jackson on democracy and American politics. The novel starts off with Jackson’s life story, a lowerclass boy from the west, raised by a single mother. After finding financial success on his own, he became well known for his military exploits, being a crucial factor in the Battle of New Orleans, and the acquisition of Florida from the Spanish. After the brief account of Jackson’s life, the author moves on to his administration, and stays with that topic for most of the book.
In conclusion, during Andrew Jackson’s life time, he was an eager politician; he was a great militarist, and a great president. He created many enemies, but he had made much more allies. He was a very popular president that is one of the reasons he won his presidency. During the military he was great at it, he was promoted through the ranks, because of his great mind. That influenced him during the political life, and gave him more popularity. Over all Andrew Jackson influenced many people and helped a lot of people and he was very great.
Prucha, Francis. "Andrew Jackson’s Indian Policy: A Reassessment The Journal of American History ". 3. 40 (1969), 527, http://www.jstor.org/stable/1904204. (accessed July 26, 2011).
Because of the “Kitchen Cabinet” and the National Bank Controversy, it is evident that Jackson was more autocratic rather than democratic. Instances like this change the thought of some, causing them to wonder if Jackson really did listen to the people or if he controlled the government for himself. While some say that the actions of Jackson were just because the people said so, there are many cases such as these that prove that statement
During the time period of Andrew Jackson’s Presidency the economy was flourishing and there were peaceful party changes. Factories in the north, and farms in the south were both doing great. The U.S. government was running smoothly but throughout his presidency, Jackson shifted power to himself
Andrew Jackson was a very interesting man. He had a very terrible childhood and was a successful man. He became a president fought in wars and was very smart. Though many people despised him. They hated him for actions he did during the time he served as a president and he also had a pretty interesting love life that made his wife be accused of bigamy. Despite all the wrongs he did he is a key person to making America what it is today.
Andrew Jackson’s legacy has proved many things about him, his ambition, talent and ability to get the job done has shaped a future for America although not necessarily in a good way. Along with the highlights of his legacy the downfalls may over shadow them, his actions alone with the trail of tears were detrimental to the Native American people, along with his ill temperament and controversial acts of racism. His inability to follow the guidelines that we still use and respect today, a man who is a poster boy for all those things isn’t fit to personify what it means to be an American.
Curtis lays bare the abandonment of a young Andrew Jackson, and the subsequent fight for reputation. Andrew Jackson at every corner faced confrontation whether it be debt or the more tangible criticism of his peers. The hardships of his youth gave Andrew Jackson a very sensitive skin, and with every insult he bulleted another name for his vindication. Even when Andrew Jackson enjoyed the fruits of victory he always looked for the next intrigue or conspiracy that would damage the name he was building."Confronted by death at an early ag, Andrew Jackson spent his life trying to prove his right to survival"( Curtis IX) Andrew Jackson felt strongly about honor and the requirement of upholding it, which in turn, may be his reason that he obsessed with vindication. James C Curtis Gives a more casual and candid approach to our nation's seventh president, he doesn't muddle the book with complicated psychological jargon and even in some instances approaches it with a sense of humor and this leads to a more enjoyable experience and less hindered experience of the struggles of Old
Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States, held power from 1829 to 1837. During this time, Jackson launched a new era in which he claimed to value and represent the common man. A shameless opportunist, Jackson, pandered to the masses for support by claiming to be a man of the people and thus rose above previous president John Quincy Adams in the 1828 election. However, how can a Jackson be considered a man of the people when he is responsible for hurting more people than he helped? Andrew Jackson should be considered a villain who abused his power based upon his inadequate choices as president in regards to the Bank War, spoils system, and the Indian Removal Act.
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.
However, Andrew Jackson had a political personality that represented a new era of presidents, known as the “common man.” The time period of 1820-1840 was a morality of slavery between the South and the North. In addition, states’ rights was a major problem among state and the federal powers who debated their stance. Therefore, re-emerge of the two party system was a competitive perspective among political leaders that effect our history on who should run our