Rennie Combs US History H Mr. Hertel-Therrien 2/16/23 Was Andrew Jackson Democratic Andrew Jackson was known for many things. He was a general, war hero, politician, and man of the people. But was he truly democratic? This essay will prove that Andrew Jackson was not democratic. Being democratic is defined as “a way of governing which depends on the will of the people” (The Council of Europe). He appointed unqualified people to jobs because they had supported his campaign, went against the constitution during the Nullification Crisis, and also critiqued the national bank, which raised a cry of alarm for liberty, and also turned people against each other based on wealth. During his term as president, Andrew Jackson was required to hire a collector …show more content…
Document 15 shows how when Andrew Jackson was advised by his Secretary of State on who to pick, he chose a supporter of his, who was a known thief and not at all qualified, Samuel Swartwout. But Jackson refused to listen, instead of choosing someone qualified and capable, he chose what was best for his political future. He gave a supporter of his, and a funder of his campaign the job. The port of New York did not only have lots of money that came through it, but it also was a major trading spot. When Swartwout stole over one million dollars from that port, it caused Jackson to be extremely embarrassed and upset. Internationally the scandal was spread. Countries laughed at America for hiring a man known to have criminal tendencies to such an important position. And Jackson lost support in his campaigns from this. People felt that he had not put aside his personal …show more content…
In 1828 and 1832, Andrew Jackson passed tariffs raising the cost to import goods to America. This was mainly to protect the fast-growing Northern economy. Many Southern states did not like that British goods were now more expensive because many relied on foreign trade in their livelihoods of farmers. In 1832 South Carolina published “South Carolina Exposition and Protest”. This was a document written by the Vice President. John C. Calhoun was Vice President under Andrew Jackson, and wrote this paper, although his name did not appear on it. He used Thomas Jefferson and James Madison Kentucky Resolves as a source. The Kentucky Resolves stated that states had the authority to determine whether the federal government had passed a bill into law that exceeded their power. If that were the case, individual states could declare said law null and void in their jurisdiction. John C. Calhoun used this document to explain South Carolina’s grievances with the tariffs. South Carolina eventually declared that the tariffs of 1828 and 1832, were null within their jurisdiction. Furthermore, they threatened that if federal officers tried to forcibly collect the tariffs, they would secede from the Union. This shows that Jackson was not democratic because he obviously was not following the will of all Americans, just the ones who made the most money. The Northern aristocrats were taken care of, but
Colby Magoon Mr. Mullen US History_CP1 02 May 2023 How Democratic was Andrew Jackson? Did you know that Andrew Jackson was not a democratic ruler? Andrew Jackson has done many non-democratic actions including removing the Native Americans from their homes, having slaves himself, and allowing Starwort to steal millions of dollars from the government funds. It has been discussed by many people that Andrew Jackson was not democratic, and it should not be up for debate because of his actions.
Throughout the 1820's and 1830's, America was enduring some massive changes. Andrew Jackson originated a whole new era in American history. Amongst his greatest accomplishments were inducing the "common man" to be involved in government and modifying democracy to satisfy the same "common man's" needs. Jacksonian Democrat, were Jackson’s supporters and they were great in number during the 1820's and 1830's. They held themselves very greatly because they acknowledged their responsibilities as American citizens.
While it is indisputable that Andrew Jackson enhanced the power of the American presidency while preserving the union and directing the country toward democracy, it is evident that his presidency has far more liabilities than benefits. By abusing his power and using cruel and unconstitutional methods, it is apparent that Jackson's administration should be seen adversely. An individual
Andrew Jackson: Autocrat or Democrat In my opinion President Jackson was an autocrat because he forced Native Americans out of their homes,created the spoils system, and wanted less power for the bank. He wanted all of this for his greater good. He made it like he was their king and he had overall power. President Andrew Jackson created the Indian Removal process to get rid of all Native Americans so he could have his society his way.
(Khan Academy, 2016) This was a very unrealistic and terrible idea, as this would mean any state could nullify any law they wanted and blame it on being “unconstitutional”. Because of the pamphlet, South Carolina began to claim that The Tariff of Abominations was unconstitutional and planned to refuse to follow it. Jackson heard about this, and despite being a fan of the South, knew this would set the stage for the entire South to secede from the U.S, as he thought of “Nullification as a prelude into secession” (Khan Academy, 2016). So, Jackson began lowering The Tariff of Abominations to appease South Carolina and other
Andrew Jackson: Autocrat or Democrat? Andrew Jackson was an autocrat. He was very selfish in his presidency and wanted what was best for himself with little thinking about the country and the people. Jackson wanted state banks so that he could have more control and make more money by supporting the state banks that supported him. In National Bank Controversy Document 1, Andrew Jackson is depicted as a wealthy monarch with captions saying things about how he was “King Andrew the First”. Another example of how Jackson is an autocrat is in National Bank Controversy Document 3, where a Congress member is replying to Jackson’s veto message.
Andrew Jackson, an American lawyer, general, and statesman who served as the seventh president of the United States from 1829 to 1837 was viewed as a war hero and was praised for it, people thought of him as a democratic figure in society. But I think otherwise. Andrew Jackson had claimed various times that he would listen to and benefit his citizens so they can be “free” and be treated “fair”, yet, he did not take his word. And instead of helping his citizens, he mostly only benefited himself. So, here is my perspective on Andrew Jackson and how he wasn’t that Democratic as people come to believe.
The President of the United States at this time was Andrew Jackson. During Jackson’s terms, he had to deal with a majority of significant issues. One of the topics was the Nullification Act in 1832. According to this document, it was Jackson’s view and voice about this matter. As he mentions “That the people of South Carolina will maintain the said ordinance at every hazard, and that they will consider the passage of any act by Congress…”
South Carolina was furious about the new acts that Henry Clay had put into order. South Carolina felt that the high tariffs were unconstitutional and were pushing their citizens into poverty. Later South Carolina published an Ordinance of Nullification saying that they did not have to abide by the law of the higher tariffs, and that their officials did not have to enforce their citizens to follow it either. South Carolina also threatened to leave the Union if anyone tried to stop them from following this new Ordinance of Nullification. Of course President Andrew Jackson saw this as a huge issue.
Andrew Jackson, The People's President, a man of firm conviction and bravado to boot, a man that both exemplify the Southern gentry yet constantly drew criticism as an untamed ruffian, unfit for the higher office of the Presidency. Self motivated, headstrong, and far too stubborn for his own worth, it surely came as no surprise to those against him that the early days of his Presidency arrived with controversy and contention, even among Jackson’s chosen. Indeed, history will always remember the Petticoat Affair that so consumed the attention of Washington officials within the early 1830s. But the question remains, why was a President, with so many vocal dissidents nipping at his coat tail, so ready, and willing to defend a supposed adulterer
Andrew Jackson is a democrat which means he treats the people equally. He was able to make the people vote for presidential electors, he also wanted all social classes to be equal and also saying that the government can’t misuse power and
Andrew Jackson was seen as a common man the voice of the people by some. By others he was King Andrew, trampling the constitution and instigating tyranny. Jackson’s presidency impacted democracy, through his use of the veto power, and his claim of Clay creating a “corrupt bargain”, which is not a turning point for a rise in democracy despite him giving white male suffrage. During Jackson’s use of executive power weakened voice of the people.
Brittany Randall-Neppl APUSH Period 6 Mr. Kloster 12/19/2014 Andrew Jackson: Champion of the Common Man or Tyrant Andrew Jackson was born into a common life but overcame his mediocre beginnings to become a powerful politician; in 1828 he was elected president of the United States. However, he abused this position of power and made several choices that were detrimental to the welfare and rights of the American people. Jackson implemented the spoils system on a national scale and had unofficial members of his cabinet who did not have to answer to Congress. After South Carolinians were upset by the Tariff of 1832 he was angry toward those who did not agree with it. He also destroyed the National Bank and authorized the Specie Circular.
President Andrew Jackson was a very popular president and did a lot of things during his presidency. But in my opinion, I think he was not democratic because he wanted everything done his way or no way, like during the Indian Removal act in Document 10. He wanted the Indians land so he had his soldiers move them \west into the Indian territory. One way that President Andrew Jackson was democratic was his Bank Veto Message to Congress in Document 4.
One of the biggest thing that Jackson had done as a president was in 1832. Jackson vetoed a bill that would renew the second bank charter early. Jackson stated “I will kill it!”. He said this because he didn’t like the bank at all and he believed that it made the rich richer and the poor poorer. He said in his veto message “It is easy to conceive that great evils to our country and its institutions might flow from such a concentration of power in the hands of a few men irresponsible to the people.”