How Did Andrew Jackson Encourage Nationalism

When Andrew Jackson became president in 1829 it was most evident that he was going to a great leader of nationalism. Many of Jackson’s policies and actions, while harsh, resulted in a more united nation. By being a president for the common people, it caused unity between what was most of the country’s population. He prevented South Carolina from seceding from the United States which only further illustrates his strive for nationalism, and finally, his victory in the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812 caused America as a whole to grow closer. It is clear that Andrew Jackson’s presidency encouraged nationalism.

Andrew Jackson was born and raised in the south and his family was never too wealthy. When he became president, his main ideal was that anybody, no matter if they are rich or poor, can become successful. He was a president of the people and he took many measures to ensure that they could and would have a role in government. One of these actions was the creation of the spoils system. The spoils system is an arrangement in which the president

has the ability to remove certain people from government, and replace them with other people they see fit for the position. Jackson felt that this rotation in office created more diversity and would rid the government of corrupt and unjust people who got their jobs simply because they were rich. However, this system was not appreciated by everybody.
Many people felt that this was just a way for presidents to get their friends into the government. Multiple people suggested that Jackson would allow people who wrote positive articles about him, or supported him in general to join the government without any real basis of if they would be a positive addition. In the end; however, this system created more unity between the rich and the poor, mainly due to a forced relationship that was formed due to the spoils system, which is one way that Jackson’s presidency supported nationalism.
Furthermore, in 1828 Congress passed a tariff that raised the price of the tariff on imports which southerners were opposed to. The southern states felt that Congress was supporting northern industry at the price of southern agriculture, which meant that the south would have a much harder time with the new tariff then the north. South Carolina in particular felt that this tariff, which they called the tariff of abomination, was unconstitutional so they attempted to nullify it and threatened to secede, or remove itself from the country. Congress attempted to lessen the price of the tariff but it still would not please South Carolina. Finally Congress agreed to create a tariff that would be payed over the course of ten years which South Carolina accepted. Jackson was also able to stop South Carolina from seceding from the country which is the second example of how his presidency encouraged nationalism.
Moreover, prior to when Jackson became president, he was a general in the military.

One victory that stood apart from others was for the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812. The Battle of New Orleans was fought after the War of 1812 technically ended; however, the news of the end of the war was slow to receive so they continued to fight. The British hoped that they would be able to capture New Orleans so that they could separate Louisiana from the rest of the United States but what they did not know was that General Andrew Jackson had already set up more than 4000 troops along the border of the city. The British were not able to even pass through the wall of people and retreated within a half and hour. This victory was incredibly important for Americans because it greatly increased national pride. From then on Jackson was known as a war hero which illuminates Jackson’s support in increasing

nationalism.
The victory of the Battle of New Orleans caused people around the country to burst with national pride. By not allowing South Carolina to secede Jackson maintained national peace as well as pleased nationalists around the country. Finally, by mixing both the poor and the rich in the government it formed a sort of camaraderie that had not ever been present before. Andrew Jackson’s actions, while the remain controversial to this day, did infact promote nationalism through many forms.