Andrew Jackson Interview

King Andrew or Man of the People?!
-Interview-!

US History, AP: the reporter

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!Jackson: President Andrew Jackson
!Interview Questions:
!US History, AP: Hello President Jackson. It is my pleasure to speak with you today. I am hoping

to look back through some of the most important aspects of your presidential career and ask for insight from you. Please feel free to give detailed and comprehensive answers. You can feel at ease to speak openly with me about the events and your opinions regarding them. For my first question, relate how important you feel the Battle of New Orleans was in setting up your future political career. In your answer, please include your reaction to the fact the battle occurred after the War of 1812 had officially ended.

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Jackson: Hello! I would have to say that the Battle of New Orleans was a success, because the
British acknowledged that we claimed Louisiana and West Florida.It was a tough battle, but it was successful in the end!This battle, lead to the ratification of the Treaty of Gent.Also, this course of events made America a more stronger nation and proved that I am a good and powerful leader. Because the Battle occurred after the end of War of 1812, I was not very surprised that it happened, and a little disappointed, but life goes on.

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!US History, AP: Please explain the Corrupt Bargain from your point of view.
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Jackson: So, the presidential election was happening.John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay and

myself were running. Something that stopped me from winning was the fact that the rule stated that I must have at least half of the votes, which, in my opinion, was totally irrelevant. I know I was the strongest and most suited person to become president, and felt a bit betrayed by me fellow Americans. Anyways, I felt like I was being left out of the picture. Since clay had very little votes, and Adams was right behind me, I believed that they made an alliance, in order for John to become president , and for Clay to be appointed something in his party.I was a bit discouraged after all this.

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!US History, AP: To what extent was the election of 1828 a victory not only for yourself but also for the common man?
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Jackson: I felt like we still were not the Nation that we actually wanted to achieve. The thing is that a fair election cannot happen since Women, African Americans and Natives could not vote.They are part of the population as well, so the votes would not completely add up. Any ways, it was a huge step because it didn’t matter anymore how rich or if you were part of the

clergy, you could vote. Every man had the right to vote. It was fantastic that it was the first election of this type!

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US History, AP: Your enemies have begun calling you King Andrew. Would you please give any reasons for this epithet? What examples from your life and career would you offer to refute this moniker? !Jackson: Basically, I have done many rightful things, and fought for a major cause.I was the one that stopped the legislative branch from getting too much power. Another reason for me being called king Andrew was because I vetoed the Second Bank of the United States.I was called that because I also fought against the Native American removal from the Worcester area.My brave thoughts and decisions made my low class enemies call me that, however I love this country as it were my own, and I believe things will get better.

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!US History, AP: Explain how giving governmental positions to your loyal followers is more democratic than leaving these positions with the old officeholders.
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!Jackson:I would like our country to reach the peak of the ladder. I felt like my fellow , loyal

followers deserved this, so I offered them governmental positions.Of course, my selection was not blindly made, I selected the most suited people for the job. I wanted change, and change is one part of democracy.I wanted to replace my old officers, because I wanted change, hence taking steps toward democracy.

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!US History, AP: Your own vice president, John C. Calhoun, raised the issue of nullification. Why were you so strongly opposed to this doctrine that you were willing to send in troops to enforce federal laws?

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Jackson: I personally feel like our country needs a string Federal government, and it was

certainly not going to achieve it by having all the states freely nullifying the powers of enforcement. John, was trying to build up on Maddison’s and Jefferson’s ideas. This was all a bad idea.

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!US History, AP: As a follow-up, what future impact do you think Calhoun's doctrine of nullification will have on the United States?
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Jackson: His ideas were brought from the Virginia and Kentucky resolution.These supported the individual state legislature.I feel like this will be a never resting issue, throughout time, because people will never be satisfied with the way government controls the country.

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US History, AP: We will now move on to the Second Bank of the United States. Here is a copy of your Bank Veto Message for the Bank Recharter Act. Can you briefly summarize this for us, and explain why you were so opposed to the bank.

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Jackson: In this message, I really wanted people to know that I wanted Second Bank of the

United States to be gone. Over time he had decided that it could not continue as it was, and that it did not guarantee a reform. It had to be destroyed.I wanted this to end because of my financial problems in the past and my ideas on states' rights. The Second Bank was endangering our economic stability, and peach would have never been achieved; it served as a monopoly on fiscal policy, but it did not answer to anyone within the government.The Second Bank turned out to become a political battle between the people of the United States.

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!US History, AP: What were your main problems with Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun?
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Jackson: First, my main problem with Henry Clay was the fact that he used his voice in the

House of Representatives to make John Adams president.It is not fair.Presidential elections should be fair and they should reflect the true value of the candidate.The fact that i had a bigger number of votes , should have sent a signal to him, and should have helped me be appointed as president.This was corruption! My problem with John C. was the fact that he supported the nullification of laws.How would that help us achieve a more democratic nation? I am disappointed in his choice, because as my vice president I have trusted him and trusted sharing the same views.I cut him off and replaced him and his cabinet.

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US History, AP: How responsible are you for what is being called the Trail of Tears? In what light do you think future generations will view this event?
!Jackson: Ok, I would like to make things clear, since it is the last and very important question of the interview.I acknowledge the fact that I have signed the Indian Removal Act.I know that.However, I was not in office by the time the indians were removed.I am not the one responsible for this, but I know people find me guilty for this. The future president, if he reverses the act, will become the good guy, and I’ll always remain the bad person, in everyone’s eyes.

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