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To What Extent Is Andrew Jackson A Hero Or A Tyrant?

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Was Andrew Jackson a hero or a tyrant? 1938, the year the US nations developed one of the most significant currencies, the twenty dollar bill. As we examine the dollar bill, we can focus on one of the US presidents, Andrew Jackson. Andrew Jackson, known as the "Old Hickory," was elected as the seventh president for being a national hero of the War of 1812 by defeating the British. Although, many presidents have their flaws. Does Andrew Jackson deserve to be on the bill? After his success with his democracy, he led the government to some corruption through his usage of presidential power. While we are balancing the subject, Andrew Jackson was a tyrant because he forced the natives to leave their homes, led the people into a corrupted government, …show more content…

For example, Andrew Jackson’s message to Congress states, “This emigration should be voluntary for it would be as cruel as unjust to compel the aborigines to abandon the graves of their fathers and seek a home in a distant land. But they should be distinctly informed that if they remain within the limits of the states they must be subject to their laws.” (2) This shows how he bluntly ignored the tribes and didn’t want to interfere with any rights of the tribes or voices. He only focused on his people to continue moving into their ancestral land. Furthermore, he discusses “humanity” and “national honor.” (2) When Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Policy, many tribes went into a cruel path, Trails of Tears. It affects many natives to a cold-hearted death, including many treaties cut after a long history between the Americans and the natives. This policy meant losing many sorts of trust and benefits. Andrew Jackson's devastating policy paints a bigger picture of being a …show more content…

For example, Andrew Jackson’s veto message states, “It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their selfish purposes. Distinctions in society will exist under every just government. Equality of talents, of education of wealth, cannot be produced by human institutions.” (3) This demonstrates that he was against the rechartering of the Bank of the United States. But this passage is hypocritical because Andrew Jackson introduced the spoiled system. In the spoils system, the practice of rewarding political supporters with government jobs was also widely ranged. He never balanced equality between the democrats and republicans during their lifetime of service. There were also responses to Andrew Jackson’s veto messages. For example, a finished written letter by Daniel Webster's reply to Jackson's veto message says, “Extends the grasp of executive pretension over every power of government. It appeals to every prejudice which may betray men into a mistaken view of their own interests, and to every passion which may lead them to disobey their understanding.” (6) Andrew Jackson ignored pieces of advice or opinions from others about the government’s conflict. He had already chosen consequences and charges while leading an army. Additionally, there was a cartoon drawing about Andrew Jackson as a king. According to source 5, it

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