Andrew Jackson is one of the most controversial presidents. Many regard him as a war hero, the father of the Democratic Party, an inspiring leader, and a spokesman for the common man. While there is plenty to praise about the seventh president, his legacy is tarnished by his racism, disregard for the law of the land, cruelty towards the Native Americans, and ruthless temper. Jackson was an intriguing man who was multi-faceted. One must not look at a singular dimension, and cast judgment on him as a whole. To accurately evaluate one of the most complex presidents, it is crucial to observe Jackson from all possible angles. Prior lifestyle, hardships in life, political ideology, lifestyle of the time, political developments, and his character …show more content…
Andrew Jackson, Southerner, by Mark Cheathem, is an in-depth book on President Jackson’s life and ideologies. Cheatham is a professor at Cumberland University, which is located thirty minutes away from the Hermitage, Jackson’s mansion. His knowledge of the period, lifestyle, and specifically Andrew Jackson’s life while at the Hermitage is astounding. The bulk of his works and article dove into the Jacksonian period and America’s early republic. From the rise of the Democrats to the life of Andrew Jackson’s nephew, Cheathem is a historian who studies ninteenth century history. However, bias was present in the book, since he depicted the South in a positive light. Perhaps, it is because he is from the South. At any rate, slight bias is present within the book, and should be noted when taking into account Jackson’s background, and its effect on Jackson’s …show more content…
Inskeep said books who characterize Jackson’s side, depict the reasons why Jackson removed the Indians. While other books list the Indian population as major characters within their book, they claimed Jackson was stubborn, disregarded the law, was a murderer, and was nothing short of a racist. Inskeep took a neutral and unique approach when discussing the topic. The narrative is that of an observer, looking overhead as if in a display. This is the point of view Inskeep tried to capture in his book. Andrew Jackson and John Ross are the two key characters he showcased on a Democratic stage, in an attempt to understand both men’s motives and
As the author of Andrew Jackson and the Search for Vindication, James C. Curtis seems to greatly admire Andrew Jackson. Curtis pointed out that Jackson was a great American general who was well liked by the people. As history shows, Andrew Jackson had his flaws; for example, he thought the National Bank of the United States was going to kill him but he was determined to kill it first. He resented the Bank because he thought it was the reason for the Panic of 1819. Andrew Jackson was elected to the presidency in 1824 after first being nominated in 1822. He was sixty-one when he was elected the seventh president of the United States.
Jackson was very loyal to his friends especially those who helped him get into office. To reward his friends, he removed experienced officeholders and replaced them with his political friends or followers. This system is known as the spoils system. By Jackson using this system, he is guilty for undermining the economy and politically motivated action. By Jackson putting his friends in the office, meant that he had chance of winning the next election. Using this system also put the economy in danger because of the corruption and inefficiency in the office. Jackson is guilty of this charge because he replaced good working men for his party friends who do nothing to benefit the
Andrew Jackson, revered as the first common man to become President, symbolized the average citizen having the opportunity to climb the ranks within America 's democratic system. However, the profits of Jackson 's administration succeed in concealing his immoral procedures and behavior. Jackson 's methods worked accordingly to the reasoning of the father of political science, Machiavelli, who said, “The end justifies the means”. He achiev...
Before Andrew Jackson became president, he had a rough life. His parents died when he was young so he grew up without guidance. Jackson was in all the fights he could pick and to many, a wild child. By age 17, he calmed down and began planning his life. It wasn’t until after he had enrolled in the war of 1813 and showed great leadership and strength, that he was in the spot for presidency. (BG Essay) Many people believe in a Democratic nation. Not everyone follows one though. In a democratic nation, the voices of the people are heard. The leader(s) listen and make changes the people want done. Throughout Andrew Jackson’s time in office, he showed his country many undemocratic actions. He made some great changes and some not so great friendships. How democratic was Andrew Jackson? In the eyes of some, Jackson was not democratic. In many of his actions, he is shown to take one side of two things and do anything to make sure that side
Andrew Jackson was the seventh president of America who had a very unique time in office. Jackson advertised as being for the people of the United States but then his actions proved otherwise at later times. While Jackson did things for the people, he was as much of an autocrat as he was a democrat based upon the documents that were formed during his time in office.
...convince us Indians that our removal was necessary and beneficial. In my eyes, the agreement only benefited Andrew Jackson. It is apparent that Jackson neglected to realize how the Indian Removal act would affect us Indians. When is the government justified in forcibly removing people from the land they occupy? If you were a Native American, how would you have respond to Jackson? These questions need to be taken into consideration when determining whether or not Jackson was justified. After carefully examining these questions and considering both the pros and cons of this act, I’m sure you would agree that the removal of Native Americans was not justified under the administration of Andrew Jackson. Jackson was not able to see the damaging consequences of the Indian removal act because of his restricted perspective.
To some people Andrew Jackson is remembered as the, metaphorically speaking, “People’s King” and is accused of dictator-like political moves. However, Andrew Jackson was quite the contrary, he was exalted amongst the people for being the new era of democracy: instilling a political revolution, the protection of the American people, and social equality among the masses. Therefore, Andrew Jackson was a precedent of democratic rule in the United States.
As soon as Andrew Jackson came into office, he fired 10% of the government’s employees, mainly from the post office, and placed his own supporters into the vacated posts. This may not have been a problem if he replaced these workers with people who were qualified, but the vast majority of Andrew Jackson’s appointments were incompetent. Thus, the government became bloated and less efficient. Andrew Jackson development of a special system to reward his cronies with government jobs without formal training, demonstrates that Andrew Jackson should be remembered as
The Age of Jackson, written by Arthur M. Schlesinger, focuses on the long lasting effects of Andrew Jackson on democracy and American politics. The novel starts off with Jackson’s life story, a lowerclass boy from the west, raised by a single mother. After finding financial success on his own, he became well known for his military exploits, being a crucial factor in the Battle of New Orleans, and the acquisition of Florida from the Spanish. After the brief account of Jackson’s life, the author moves on to his administration, and stays with that topic for most of the book.
Prucha, Francis. "Andrew Jackson’s Indian Policy: A Reassessment The Journal of American History ". 3. 40 (1969), 527, http://www.jstor.org/stable/1904204. (accessed July 26, 2011).
Because of the “Kitchen Cabinet” and the National Bank Controversy, it is evident that Jackson was more autocratic rather than democratic. Instances like this change the thought of some, causing them to wonder if Jackson really did listen to the people or if he controlled the government for himself. While some say that the actions of Jackson were just because the people said so, there are many cases such as these that prove that statement
Andrew Jackson was a very interesting man. He had a very terrible childhood and was a successful man. He became a president fought in wars and was very smart. Though many people despised him. They hated him for actions he did during the time he served as a president and he also had a pretty interesting love life that made his wife be accused of bigamy. Despite all the wrongs he did he is a key person to making America what it is today.
During the time period of Andrew Jackson’s Presidency the economy was flourishing and there were peaceful party changes. Factories in the north, and farms in the south were both doing great. The U.S. government was running smoothly but throughout his presidency, Jackson shifted power to himself
Curtis lays bare the abandonment of a young Andrew Jackson, and the subsequent fight for reputation. Andrew Jackson at every corner faced confrontation whether it be debt or the more tangible criticism of his peers. The hardships of his youth gave Andrew Jackson a very sensitive skin, and with every insult he bulleted another name for his vindication. Even when Andrew Jackson enjoyed the fruits of victory he always looked for the next intrigue or conspiracy that would damage the name he was building."Confronted by death at an early ag, Andrew Jackson spent his life trying to prove his right to survival"( Curtis IX) Andrew Jackson felt strongly about honor and the requirement of upholding it, which in turn, may be his reason that he obsessed with vindication. James C Curtis Gives a more casual and candid approach to our nation's seventh president, he doesn't muddle the book with complicated psychological jargon and even in some instances approaches it with a sense of humor and this leads to a more enjoyable experience and less hindered experience of the struggles of Old
However, Andrew Jackson had a political personality that represented a new era of presidents, known as the “common man.” The time period of 1820-1840 was a morality of slavery between the South and the North. In addition, states’ rights was a major problem among state and the federal powers who debated their stance. Therefore, re-emerge of the two party system was a competitive perspective among political leaders that effect our history on who should run our