Andrew Jackson was inaugurated on March 4, 1829 as the seventh president of the United States of America. His inauguration was so joyous for the citizens that he was given the nickname "King Mob," due to the mad rush of people who stormed the White House to get a chance to shake his hand. Although Jackson's presidency lived up to its title, the "era of the common man," he also participated and led many unconstitutional acts during his reign. Due to these reasons, Jackson does not deserve to be on the twenty-dollar bill.
One of many atrocities that Jackson committed was the forceful removal of thousands of Indians and the subsequent death of many of them. Although his reasoning, as is stated in his Message to Congress "On Indian Removal," was
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In Jackson's Bank Veto Message, he states that his principal reason for his veto was that he wanted to prevent the existence of monopolies. This is a fine reasoning that also goes along with is political views. The objection to this is that he was warned on how it would be detrimental to the United States economy but still went through with it. It cannot be overlooked that he had to fire two different secretaries until he finally appointed a close friend to agree with him. This is an obvious abuse of power, seeing as he fired two people simply for telling him that his idea would not work. This misuse of power is the reason why cartoons like "King Andrew The First," were created. By showing him as a likeness to a playing card king, this cartoon exemplifies Jacksons occasional disregard for the constitution and his tyrannical abuse of power.
It is arguable that Jackson did have some good points. Jackson's response to the nullification proclamation was a just and constitutionally sound one. His commitment to the Union, in this case, is admirable. But, it is also plausible to say that Jackson's only motivation for not allowing this to pass was simply to keep a certain amount of power in the national government, in him. It could have all been a selfish ploy in order to keep his power, not an argument for
he tried to preserve the working classes rights in the “the working mens declaration independence ” (document a ) the working mens declaration of independence stated that all men were equal and among them they were granted “life , liberty and the pursuit of happiness” in order to secure them against the “undue influence of other classes of society , prudence as well as claims of self defense ….” the working class was satisfied by this because it would not allow the higher class to take an advantage of them because of their financial status. regardless they were all equal. he further supported the working class by vetoing the bank of the united states. in jackson’s veto message (document c)he says “it appears that more than a fourth part of the stock is help by foreigner and the residue is held by a few hundred of our own citizens, chiefly the richest class..
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.
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.
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.
The Nullification act was passed to help the states decide if the laws made by the government were constitutional and if they needed to follow them. If the law was found unconstitutional by the state or if it “hurt” the state in an way, the state could nullify it. This shows that he feared the states having equal power to the government and country as a whole, because if he passed a law that was truly unconstitutional, then the states would not have to follow it. In result to this, the compromise of 1833 was created. “Jackson’s Economic Issues” was the document used for the information of this
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.
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.
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
In keeping with the principle, Jackson tried to abolish the College Electors (those who choose the president) by Constitutional amendment.” This quote shows President Jackson’s heroism in fighting for the people to have the power to elect their president directly. Many people would disagree and say Andrew Jackson is a villain, he did do things that were frowned upon. Probably the most negative thing is the Indian Removal Act.
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 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.
In conclusion, there is much evidence to support the idea that Andrew Jackson was a tyrant and vastly abused his power in presidency. Jackson was a cruel ruler for his actions, some including the Indian Removal Act, his overuse of vetoing, and his temper and personality. Overall he was just not right for the position of a political
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.
Jackson ignored the Supreme Court. He continued forcing indians out the west. This journey is known as the Trail of Tears. One-fourth of indians died from this journey. Just because Jackson was put on the $20 bill doesn’t mean he did not do bad things.