Andrew Jackson Presidency

The Presidency of Andrew Jackson Andrew Jackson became the seventh President of the United States in 1828 after a very heated and slanderous electoral race. Both Jackson, the man, and his presidency have critics and admirers. His policies and actions are still the subject of great controversy and differing opinions among historians and scholars. Regardless of positive or negative opinion, he ushered in a new era of American politics; by championing the “common man” and expanding political interest beyond the existing elite, he spearheaded a movement that still affects the American political system and government today. Andrew Jackson championed the “common man” and expanded political interest beyond the existing elite. A self-made businessman,
The Democrats of the Jacksonian era are seen by proponents as leaders “of their own generation’s battles against economic privilege and political corruption.” By waging political war against the existing elites of his time, Jackson believed himself and his policies to promote opportunity for all white males, instead of continuing a system which favored those who happened to be born into social and/or economic esteem. He and his fellow Democrats worked to create policies benefiting especially farmers and planters of the West (e.g. expanded voter’s rights), and to keep the United States together. When South Carolina threatened to secede and then to nullify two tariffs in response to the “tariff of abominations” via John C. Calhoun, Jackson made clear he would not tolerate this or further seditious acts against the United States. He also believed that a powerful national bank hindered the potential for economic growth and increased prosperity for the average citizen, and instead limited power and wealth to the government and aristocrats. He vetoed a bill to renew the Bank’s charter and successfully weakened the institution by its existing charter’s expiration in 1836, a move deemed disastrous by naysayers of Jacksonian
The Democrats and Whigs displayed partisanship that is exemplified by today’s two main political parties, the (present-day) Democrats and Republicans. Jacksonian-era Democrats supported his ideals and policies, including the expansion of opportunity for all white males, a limited and decentralized government and its operating institutions (which they believed led to elitist rule), and a strong Union. The Whigs held views opposing the Democrats’ on economic policy and development, how much power should be held by the federal government over the people, centralization of that power, and westward expansion. These two parties conflicted regularly and maintained staunch loyalty from their respective members and supporters, much like today’s Democratic and Republican