Andrew Jackson As A Common Man

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Recommended: Pros and cons of Andrew Jackson

Caroline King
Dr. Hogge
US History H II
March 31st, 2014
Andrew Jackson: Common Man
Andrew Jackson was often seen throughout his time as president as a common man, with his best interests lying with the people of the United States. From 1829 to 1837, Jackson allowed for changes in the government that he believed would help the common man’s daily agenda and financial stability. With a strong federal government, the Indian Removal Acts, and the Spoils System built during his presidency, the Jacksonian era was proven to be the era of the “common man.”
Jackson continually kept the people in mind during his choice decisions, not wanting the aristocracy to rule over America and its growing financial empires across the country. He believed everyone deserved a fair chance at life and at making money. For this reason, Jackson also wanted the federal government to have more overall power than each individual state. In 1832, the state of South Carolina argued that the state could defy Congress, and within its boundaries not abide by laws presented through the federal government, if the state did not like them. Jackson was outraged by the state’s lack of respect and refusal to come to terms with the federal government. As stated in Document E, Jackson finds the power to annul a law of the US “incompatible with the existence of the Union…”. His reasoning for not allowing South Carolina to go through with nullification is he feels a lack of unity will develop among the states if they think they can simply change or ignore a law if they feel it not fit for their specific state. With this, the federal government is left to shambles as well. Jackson continues his beliefs as shown through Document C and the Bank War of 1832. Once again his thou...

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...ckson felt this was not right, considering only those in Kentucky and the surrounding areas would be using it. He stated that if there was to be a road, the state could pay for it itself. In this specific instance, Jackson kept his promise to be a common man, and to stick with the common man through times of disagreement.
Although many may say that Andrew Jackson was more a King than a President, the facts do not add up. Continually Jackson proved to be a man of the people, making the Jacksonian era one focused on the well being of the common man of the country. Farmers and small business workers and owners were specifically catered to, while the wealthy were forced to retreat from their exclusiveness in the economy of the country, in instances like the second Bank of the United States. Jackson proved more times than not to be a constant supporter of the common man.

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