Andrew Jackson: Us History

Tony Mead-Smith
Mr. Antonioli
US History
18 November 2009 For the Common Man? With Jackson 's warm welcome to office in 1829, a strong foundation was set for a powerful Democratic rule. With Jackson 's Machiavellian theories he believed that the "ends justified the means"(Remini). Jackson integrated those beliefs into his presidency and used big government means to create a more democratic nation. Andrew Jackson and his policies strengthened the new American nationalism. Through his actions during his presidency, he changed the nation into a more nationalistic country. Jackson was a man of the people, and he strongly felt that the common man was the power behind government and because of this he can be considered to work for the common man. To benefit the common man Jackson is credited with using big power tactics to remove Indians, shut down the national bank, and stop the nullification crises. Jackson was a man of humble background who developed into a very impatient, strong-willed man. He first got his fame in 1815 when he defeated the British Army at New Orleans with his untrained militia. After this he kept on growing in popularity and was moving up in political status eventually running for office. He lost the election for presidency in 1824, and claimed it was done so by a "corrupt bargain" between Adams and Clay. He finally got his presidency in 1828 and most of his votes came from the West and South. When he was in office, he made it clear that he would get his way and “he was labeled King Jackson the First"(Watson). He expanded the power of the President, supported a strong national government and used his power to get what he wanted. He vetoed 12 times in his 2 terms in office and “his presidency was one of violence, and a sort of monarchy rule” (Remini). Jackson 's Democratic thought was in obvious opposition to the Federal Bank of the United States. The monopolistic character of the bank started to take over the banking system and there wasn 't any room for smaller private banks. Andrew Jackson viewed this as an unconstitutional act and would therefore fight the bank charter that would obviously renew their system of organization. Nicholas Biddle, the president of the National Bank, had problems with this and helped bolster the coalition against Jackson. Daniel Webster, a member of the great Triumvirate, and a Whig, took the case on the side of the bank. Webster 's case was that the president shouldn 't have such a power, a power considered to be given to a king. Andrew Jackson was portrayed as intimidating man with the Bank decision veto in one hand and a club in the other. This shows Jackson 's use of big power in the Executive branch to achieve a more democratic rule for the common man. While in office, Jackson strengthened the idea of " nationalism". Jackson firmly believed that the government should be restricted and be the "simple machine which the Constitution created"(Berlin). He ignored many of the decisions made by the Supreme Court when he felt that the common man would not benefit. Jackson had a strong personality and was well liked because he was a man of the people. He didn 't make his view clear many times, but still received support from the people. He also used violence to get his way. “A person was either for him or against him” (Berlin). The Era of the Common Man started four years before Jackson 's inauguration. This was due to the "corrupt bargain" of 1824, when Henry Clay shifted his votes to John Q. Adams in return for the appointment to Secretary Of State. People felt this was wrong considering Jackson 's plurality of votes. Along with this the Western states allowed total white male suffrage forcing Eastern States to allow it thereby doubling the eligible voters. To gain the support of democracy which at that time was considered to be only white males who were occupying the land. A large influx of voters to the west led to a controversy of what to do with the Native Americans. In the Marshall decisions of Cherokee v. Georgia and Worcester v. Georgia, he stated that the Indian and American nations would be separate with their own rules which allowed them to live with and beside one another. Jackson 's view of a more democratic and therefore more white male rule had no room for Native Americans. This led to Andrew Jackson 's use of big government removal of the Indians, sending them to the Oklahoma lands throughout his Administration. This was a big move toward more democracy in the eyes of the times and was currently acceptable. Many of the actions taken by Jackson reinforced the new Jeffersonian Democracy. His actions were those of a strong President and a strong national government. They all were part of the rise of American nationalism. He vetoed bills he did not like and he threatened that he would use national troops in South Carolina to enforce the tariff. His actions were not always consistent though. He seemed to support a strong national government, but also was a states ' rights champion when he didn 't interfere when Georgia violated the Native Americans rights laid down by a federal treaty. One of his biggest actions however was the veto of the Second Bank of the United States. This awarded honest labor, and was a great setback for monopoly and aristocratism. Jackson took actions to try to benefit the common man, and strengthened American nationalism. Jackson 's presidency mirrored American nationalism. American nationalism was growing, and the aristocracy was dying out. He was a common man, and stood up for the common people. His actions were all to push for a government that acted within the limits of the Constitution. That is showing nationalism by only allowing the government to do what the people have given it power to do. He also did what was in his power to better the common man in the economy. He did not like the National Bank because it hurt the common man, and strengthened the aristocrats and corporations. His actions were what became known as Jacksonian Democracy, and raised the American Nationalism. In the nullification crisis, Jackson used some big government policies against Calhoun and South Carolina with the force bill, which “allowed the president to use National Guard force against any uprisings” (Berlin). Jackson saw this as a way to keep the U.S. from crumbling apart due to sectionalism. The powerful politician Henry Clay saw this use of as power wrong and unconstitutional. Jackson saw this as an act to give back to the common man though. Unless the whole Democratic nation could agree to let the U.S. fall to pieces then Jackson wouldn 't let it occur. The idea that the good of the over all community, the nation, is and was more important than the good of the individual state. Jackson 's time in office raised the American nationalism in many different ways. Jackson was a true president of the common people, and he acted accordingly. Jackson believed in a strong, but limited national government, and he used it to benefit the common man. Throughout his presidency, he took many actions that led to the strengthening of American nationalism, the presidential powers and the power of the people. Jackson used big government means to remove Indians, shut down the bank, and stop the nullification crises. He obtained his vision of a stronger democratic America even if it was by using unconstitutional methods.

Does he really care? “Hope. Action. Change.” President Barack Obama of Illinois, used this slogan as the banner for reform. “His enthusiasm and excellence instilled hope in the hearts of Americans” (Martin). He has been working on ending the war in Iraq, which has been long seen as a long entanglement that the country needs to overcome. He has a history working for the middle and lower classes which demonstrates his desire to shift the power in America from authoritative corporate greed. This displays that Obama is in fact for the common man and he considers the betterment of all before certain classes or segregations of this country. “Since Americans wanted reform in taxes, healthcare, and foreign policies, they elected the forward-thinking Obama” (Martin). As president, Obama is working on reducing America’s debt, which has increased by more than fifty percent since President Bush assumed office in 2001, by repealing the tax cuts for the wealthy and cutting pork barrel spending in Congress. The elimination of tax cuts will save the United States $2.3 trillion by the time they expire in 2009. He believes that strict financial discipline can be reached by enforcing the PAYGO plan in which every proposed federal institution must be budget neutral. His attempt to promote equality to all businesses by eliminating special interest for multinational corporations appears favorable to the millions of self-proprietors and middle-class citizens. Obama has been working on stopping “extraneous government spending” says Martin, particularly the money going to oil and steel giants in the form of subsidies. Finally, he will use improved technology and capable management to increase the efficiency of the government and decrease the price of consumer goods through the purchasing strength the federal government. So Obama has been working and will continue working for the common man as he continues his term of presidency for the next three years.

Bibliography
Justin Berlin, Andrew Jackson, Proclamation Regarding Nullification, 10 December 1992.Web. November 17, 2009. <http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/>.
Robert Remini, The Legacy of Andrew Jackson: Democracy, Indian Removal, and Slavery Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1988 October, 25. Web. November 17, 2009. <http://www.the hermitage.com >.
Harry Watson, Liberty and Power: The Politics of Jacksonian America. New York: Hill and Wang, 1990. 121. Web. November 17, 2009. <http://www.americanpresidents.org>.
Rob Martin, Obama: Election, politics, and power. Washington D.C. 2009. Web. November 17, 2009. <http://www.biocongress.gov>.

Bibliography: Justin Berlin, Andrew Jackson, Proclamation Regarding Nullification, 10 December 1992.Web. November 17, 2009. &lt;http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/&gt;. Robert Remini, The Legacy of Andrew Jackson: Democracy, Indian Removal, and Slavery Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1988 October, 25. Web. November 17, 2009. &lt;http://www.the hermitage.com &gt;. Harry Watson, Liberty and Power: The Politics of Jacksonian America. New York: Hill and Wang, 1990. 121. Web. November 17, 2009. &lt;http://www.americanpresidents.org&gt;. Rob Martin, Obama: Election, politics, and power. Washington D.C. 2009. Web. November 17, 2009. &lt;http://www.biocongress.gov&gt;.