An Analysis Of Andrew Jackson's Bank Veto Message

Andrew Jackson was one of the greatest presidents who made very difficult decisions for our country. Although his choices were not always the popular decision, he made choices that were always promoting democracy. The things that make a good democracy are: giving people a say in government, having a good leader that you can trust to make wise decisions, peace and stability between each country and other states, and having equal power in the government (checks and balances). Andrew Jackson came into office with a popular vote and great support. His supporters viewed him as a man of the people.

Andrew Jackson has found his way onto the modern day $20 bill; however, does he deserve his picture on our $20 bill? The answer to that question is no. Andrew Jackson was completely against any kind of bank. Jackson also founded the corrupt “spoils system”. These points are only two of the many things Jackson did that makes us question why he is on our $20 bill.

In addition, everyone was supporting the Bank of the United States back then, but Jackson did not like it, so he vetoed the bill. Again, he did not listen to everyone around him, he went by what he thought was right. In the political cartoon in Document 3, Jackson

It is clear from the documents that Andrew Jackson acted like a king. One reason that Andrew Jackson acted like a king was he forced the Cherokee out of their homelands. In document 4, the political cartoon depicts Andrew Jackson is stepping on two controversial issues, The rechartering of the National Bank and the Supreme Court ruling against the Indian Removal Act because it was unconstitutional. Mr. Jackson clearly ignored the Constitution and the Supreme Court completely because the law was passed anyway. Because of this, many Cherokee families were forced from their homes and moved west to Oklahoma through a march known now as the Trail of Tears.

Andrew Jackson really liked power, some would say he is obsessed with it. Andrew Jackson had an idea called the Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears and what it did was that it kicked out the indians from west of the Mississippi. The indians felt very strongly about protecting their land because if you you think about it, what if you had just 1 day to pack up all of the things in your house and had to leave forever. Plus what if on that journey to find a new home, along the way you lost some people like family that you love and care about. That is what the indians had to go through and that changed their lives forever.

The act for Indian Removal was huge for Jackson because he saw it as taking over their land. In Daniel Feller’s article, he states “There is no doubt that removing the American Indians, was centrally important to Jackson.” (CITING?) This shows Jackson’s motivation to push the Indians out of their own land to increase Americans territory was huge.

Because of that Jackson believed that they could be removed with violence. Andrew Jackson was a good president even though he did not respect the indians. The people also believed that he could defend them, since he was a general in the Battle of New Orleans. He made a courteous society instead of crooked democrats. Jackson was distinguished as a "true American" when he was a candidate for president.

During the election, Jackson accused his opponents John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay of a “corrupt bargain.” He believed that two were not fit for the position, but were more of political replacement. His view on the elections before him was, the candidates being in more of a political “rotation” then just the common man being fit to run for office. This, along with many other things, motivated the people to vote for Jackson.

The Indian Removal Act authorized Jackson to give the Indians land west of the Mississippi in exchange for their land in the states, but could not force them to leave. He violated and broke commitments that he even negotiated with them. He tried to bribe the Indians and even threatened some of them. Alfred Cave organizes his article thematically and is trying to prove

Andrew Jackson positively impacted the United States leaving an enduring imprint upon American democracy. After commanding the American troops and successfully defeating Britain, Jackson became a national hero in 1812 leading him to become elected as the seventh president of the United States in 1828. Even though some of Jackson’s decisions were viewed as selfish and autocratic, he acted for the well being of the people by taking their opinion into consideration and granting them with equal opportunities. In the end, Jackson’s progressive reforms such as supporting the rights of the common people, repealing the central bank, and relocating the Cherokee Indians, resulted in the expansion of democracy in the United States.

After the War of 1812, Jackson went to war against Native Americans. He was widely popular for killing Native Americans. When settlers wanted more place to farm they wanted to the Native Americans. Jackson promised to back white settlers who wanted the Native Americans lands regardless what treaty he signed with them. Congress created the Indian Removal Act of 1830 to honor Jackson’s promise.

He believed Jackson needed a reality check. The Indians were there first, it was their land. He force the Natives to move away from their homeland, with brute force. He believes Jackson could not justify his actions just because it was for America’s benefit. He also stated Jackson refused to listen to many people, and he refused to let Indians live.

Andrew Jackson’s sentiment towards the Native Americans was certainly not a kind one. Manifest destiny was a popular belief among Americans, including Jackson, and he would go to the extent of forcing Native Americans out of their homes to reach their “ordained goal”. He believed in the expansion of southern slavery which is why he pushed for removing the Indians west of the Mississippi, which makes it the more disgraceful. The Indian Removal Act of 1830 said that it will allow American government to offer in-state territories to the Indian’s for their western land. This wasn’t the case when the U.S. went in and drove the Indians out by force.

Vetoing is to allow or reject a decision or proposal made by a law-making body. The overall reason Jackson is known to be a tyrant is his abuse of power. The amount of vetoes he confirmed truly justifies the fact that he took advantage of his power. “The Second Bank of the United States was founded in 1816 and had a 20-year charter approved by congress that gave it the power to act exclusively as the federal government’s financial agent.” (Source 4)

Andrew Jackson has been remembered as a ground breaking president, even being put on the $20. President Jackson was a controversial figure, doing many popular and unpopular things in his time. Although he is remembered as a hero from the war of 1812, he also caused the Trail of Tears and tried to destroy the National Bank. As a result, Jackson should not be put on the $20 bill. His actions have caused many misfortune showing that villains do exist.