The Legacy Of Andrew Jackson's Legacy

As one of the most controversial figures in American history, Andrew Jackson, in the modern era, is regarded as a detestably violent and morally devoid individual. There is a certain moral complexity when one examines the accomplishments and political decisions accompanying Andrew Jackson's legacy. While Jackson is certainly deserving of credit in certain, primarily political, respects, the disastrous, violent outcomes underlying his starkly held personal beliefs supplant the aforementioned positive aspects Jackson's legacy includes. When examined in this manner, time has crafted an entirely disparate and stained narrative for Andrew Jackson. Taking this information into account poses a question to modern Americans: Should Andrew Jackson

In the year of 1806, approximately twenty-four years before Jackson’s presidency, an attorney by the name of Charles Henry Dickinson accused Jackson of cheating on a horse-race bet. Furthermore, Dickinson assaulted both Jackson’s character, in addition to the character of his wife, Rachel Jackson. As a result of the aforementioned statements and accusations, Jackson challenged Dickinson to a duel. In a letter to his accuser, Jackson writes:
Your conduct and expressions relative to me of late have been of such a nature and so insulting that requires, and shall have, my notice…I hope sir your courage will be an ample security to me, that I will obtain speedily that satisfaction due to me for the insults offered—and in the way my friend, who hands you this, will point out—He waits upon you, for that purpose, and with your friend, will enter into immediate arrangements for this purpose The subsequent duel resulted in the death of Dickinson, and created an event and accompanying reputation, both of which Jackson would carry to his

A number of the decisions and actions undertaken not only during the course of Jackson’s presidency, but also as a pre-political individual alone, depict a man certainly capable of a villainous description. While one could attempt to describe Andrew Jackson as a hero, one would be required to ignore repeatedly documented events and personal accounts to the contrary. However, a successful counterargument resides in the fact that, in trivial terms, history is not black-and-white. Oftentimes, history is perceived through two viewpoints. The first observes history where morals and beliefs are not entered into the equation. To use American history as a template, many historical figures, such as Thomas Jefferson or Abraham Lincoln, are represented as unblemished and faultless; the focus is primarily placed on intelligent, influential quotes and political achievements. The second viewpoint represents the same individuals as flawed and human, straying far from the untarnished and blameless leaders of the first example; through the second point-of-view, personal dealings and character reside at the core. Neither of these methods of studying history is necessarily false, as neither promotes false information. However, within itself, history is unbiased, and the legacy of America’s seventh president lies in between these two often-employed viewpoints. As