Jacksonian Democrats
The 1820's and 1830's were times where the Jacksonian Democrats dominated politics in the United States. Jacksonian Democrats saw themselves as guardians of the United States Constitution, political democracy, individual liberty, and equality of economic opportunity. With a few exceptions, Jacksonian Democrats did indeed live up to these goals and values. Jacksonian Democrats followed some of the values of Thomas Jefferson in that they were more interested in commoners and farmers. Jacksonian Democrats kept the United States together through the 1820s and 1830s and successfully protected the rights stated in the Constitution except on the issue of Indian removal.
A major dilemma for Jackson was what to do with Native Americans living in the South and on this issue Jackson failed at protecting the rights of Native Americans. As shown in the picture, Native Americans living in the South were driven away from their lands to Oklahoma on a path known as the Trail of Tears. Did the Native Americans not have the same rights as the whites living in the South? Apparently Jackson and his successor Martin Van Buren did not ever consider this question and upon this they failed to protect the Constitution. In relation to the issue of Indian removal came another violation of the Constitution by Andrew Jackson. When John Marshall and the Supreme Court ruled that Georgia's extension of state law over Cherokee land was unconstitutional, Andrew Jackson totally ignored the decision. This action violated Supreme Court decisions and strengthened Jackson's reputation as an enemy of the law.
Politically, Jackson's domestic policy was about the people and a better government as shown through his veto of the National Bank and the institution of the Spoils system. Jackson's veto of the Bank of the United States however showed that he wanted to abide by the regulations laid out by the Constitution. In his Bank Veto message, Jackson said that the Bank was unauthorized by the Constitution
A major dilemma for Jackson was what to do with Native Americans living in the South and on this issue Jackson failed at protecting the rights of Native Americans. As shown in the picture, Native Americans living in the South were driven away from their lands to Oklahoma on a path known as the Trail of Tears. Did the Native Americans not have the same rights as the whites living in the South? Apparently Jackson and his successor Martin Van Buren did not ever consider this question and upon this they failed to protect the Constitution. In relation to the issue of Indian removal came another violation of the Constitution by Andrew Jackson. When John Marshall and the Supreme Court ruled that Georgia's extension of state law over Cherokee land was unconstitutional, Andrew Jackson totally ignored the decision. This action violated Supreme Court decisions and strengthened Jackson's reputation as an enemy of the law.
Politically, Jackson's domestic policy was about the people and a better government as shown through his veto of the National Bank and the institution of the Spoils system. Jackson's veto of the Bank of the United States however showed that he wanted to abide by the regulations laid out by the Constitution. In his Bank Veto message, Jackson said that the Bank was unauthorized by the Constitution