Andrew Jackson Dbq Analysis

“Old Hickory” was depicted as both a tyrant and a person of democratic ideals. Andrew Jackson had laid his mark on the history of the United States. Gaining reputation with his outstanding victory in the Battle of New Orleans, Jackson continued the flow of appealing to the people by running for the presidential role in 1824 and 1828. Aiming for the majority vote in the Election of 1828, Jackson’s presidential campaign sought to reform the government against the “corrupt bargain” that had taken place in the previous election. The Election of 1828 showed a drastic change in the legislature electing the majority of presidential electors into the people electing the majority of the electors(Doc.1). Jackson’s inauguration spelled the foundations
for democracy. The era of Jacksonian Democracy implemented many democratic ideals such as white man suffrage and party conventions where not only the politicians voted for the party’s candidates, but the people did as well. Democracy essentially meant a government in which the people are supreme and were represented. Jackson’s goal during his presidency from 1829 to 1837 to be a democratic president by appealing to the masses of the people on the issues of the Bank of United States, the Spoils System, and the Indian Removal to the best of his ability.
Although Jackson used undemocratic actions to pursue his objectives, he was democratic in that he did it for the welfare of the people. Despite abusing his executive power, Jackson was democratic in his policy towards the Bank of United States. Originally founded during the time of Washington’s presidency with Hamilton’s financial plan, the bank was created in order to tie wealthy investors to the government. Jackson found the second Bank of United States harmful because was founded upon the same principles. By opposing the previous judicial ruling of John Marshall in McCulloch v. Maryland, which declared the bank was constitutional, Andrew Jackson had used his presidential power in order to prevent the second Bank of the United States’ charter from being renewed by vetoing it as well as destroying the bank before its expiration in 1836 by removing all federal deposits from it and placing them into “pet banks.” Furthermore, he passed the Species Circular which meant that all mortgages could only be paid in hard currency, which led to the panic of 1837. These events shockingly gave the executive branch the authority over rulings of the Judiciary Branch as well as the legislative
role of Congress which made Jackson stand above the power of the Constitution(Doc. 5). This also led to many people thinking that Jackson was somewhat of a king who was above law and used his veto power abusively(Doc.3). However, Jackson had valid reasons for putting on this role. Under Nicholas Biddle, the bank held an immense amount of power over the nation’s financial affairs. The National Bank had forced farmers to repay their bank loans before they could sell their crops. Due to this, many farmers went bankrupt and owed large amounts of debt. Furthermore, more than a fourth of the stock was being held by foreigners(Doc. 4). By calling the bank a “hydra of corruption,” Jackson showed his democratic ideals in that he hated the national bank because it was monopolistic and only the rich were benefitting from the bank while the common man was not. An overwhelming majority of voters had approved of Jackson’s attack on the bank which allowed him to win his second term as president. This showed that a majority of the people were approved of his democratic principles of fulfilling the common man’s wishes. He was also stressing the importance of equality and a society where all men were equal and had the same opportunities. Jackson wanted to make sure the common man’s needs were just as important as the wealthy people’s needs. This shows that Jackson was not oblivious to the outcries of the people and was able to heed their call. Jackson kicked out experienced politicians out of government positions in order to instill inexperienced followers and supporters, but had done it because he believed that every man had the right to have government jobs and represent the people. In the spoils system, Jackson had put inexperienced farmers and other common people to positions they could not handle correctly and had given people with past criminal records important jobs as well. Despite the advice that Van Buren, who was the Secretary of State, had given Jackson that appointing Samuel Swartwout to the position of collector of the Port of New York was an extremely bad idea, Jackson had refused to listen to him(Doc. 7). Jackson’s main reason in appointing people to government jobs was because they were his supporters and friends who were the “kitchen cabinet” at the time. Any previous person who was not a Democrat would be replaced by a Democrat who was loyal. However, Jackson had democratic thoughts as he implemented and managed the spoils system. Arguing that “Every man is as good as his neighbor,” Jackson asserted the right of every man to be able to be able to have a voice in the government, which affirmed democratic ideals. He had also told Congress to put into consideration a law which limits appointments to four years(Doc.6). Jackson wanted this because he wanted all the different views of people to be able to have power to represent. The spoils system was also an important element to the emerging of the two-party system, which laid the foundations of democracy in the future. Although Jackson’s policies towards Indians were more undemocratic than democratic, he had democratic reasons for removing them from their land.
In Worcester V. Georgia, John Marshall had ruled that the Indians could stay in the land and that Georgia had no power within the Indian lands. However, Jackson said “John Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it.” Then he proceeded to pass the Indian Removal Act and caused the deaths of many Indians who traveled along the path known as the Trail of Tears that led to present-day Oklahoma(Doc.10). Democracy had not extended to Indians as their pleas to remain on the land of their ancestors were rejected even after they explained the hardships of moving to the new land(Doc.9). Despite this, Jackson had democratic reasons for removing the Indians from their lands. Jackson sympathized with land-hungry citizens who wanted to take over the land previously owned by the Natives. The only way to reply to the citizens was to fuel westward expansion by passing the Indian Removal Act. Furthermore, Jackson believed that the Native Americans would eventually get wiped out if they stayed on their lands, so he had told Congress to set apart a district west of the Mississippi for the Indian tribes to occupy(Doc.9). Jackson believed that this was the most humane way to move the Indians and truly believed that he was saving them from
extinction. Jackson had used undemocratic actions in order to further his democratic goals. His policies with the Bank of United States, the Spoils System, and the Indian Removal has shown his contradictions. Jacksonian Democracy had laid the foundations for the future. He allowed many people who usually would not have a say in government to speak for themselves and for everyone else. As a very peculiar, yet successful president, Jackson’s presidency for the first time in history marked the ascension of the people.