Introduction
Andrew Jackson was the seventh president of the United States, serving his two terms from 1829 to 1837. He was a controversial president, described by his biographer, James Parton, as “a democratic autocrat, an urbane savage, an atrocious saint” (as cited in Wilson & Byker, 2008, 113:46). This paper aims to discuss the most significant moments of Jackson’s presidency, including his “common man” identity, mistreatment of Native Americans, negative legacy, and other issues that have a connection with modern America.
Jackson’s Difference from Other Presidents and his “Common Man” Identity
Andrew Jackson was different from other presidents mainly by his background. He came from an ordinary family and made his way up to the presidency. He was a soldier who managed to become a general and helped the US to win the Battle of New Orleans, and this victory made him a national hero. His personality appealed to common people because they could identify themselves with him. Jackson was seen as “the frontiersman, the poor boy made good, the classic self-made man” (Wilson & Byker, 2008, 06:08). Many other politicians, such as Tomas Jefferson and Henry Clay, considered him unfit for the political career (Wilson & Byker, 2008). However, in the eyes of people, Jackson was not an insider in Congress, which meant he was not as corrupt as other candidates with experience in government service and politics (Wilson & Byker, 2008). Jackson and his supporters ran the first election campaign in US history, during which they let people feel that they had the right to choose their president. By establishing his “common man” identity and engaging people in voting for him, Jackson managed to win two elections.
Jackson’s Treatment of Native Americans
Jackson was unfair toward Native Americans, whom he first cruelly defeated in the Battle of Horseshoe Bend and then banished from their lands on the east of the Mississippi to the west of the Mississippi. These actions were aimed to clear the land so that American immigrants could live there. To remove Native Americans from the east of the Mississippi, Jackson passed the Indian Removal Act in 1830. The Act allowed Georgia to pass laws infringing Indians’ rights to their lands. It was illegal, which was proved by the Supreme Court decision, according to which states did not have jurisdiction over Indian nations (Wilson & Byker, 2008). Yet, Jackson responded that the “decision of the Supreme Court has fallen stillborn” and enforced the Act (Wilson & Byker, 2008, 85:10). As a result of the Indian Removal, thousands of Cherokee families were forced to leave their homes, and more than two thousand Cherokees died from diseases during their journey (Wilson & Byker, 2008). The Indian Removal was a genocide of Native Americans because it discriminated against them solely based on their ethnicity and led to the deaths of many of them.
Jackson’s Legacy
As was mentioned, Jackson subverted the established policy regarding the power to regulate Indian nations. According to the policy that had existed before the adoption of the Indian Removal Act, only the US federal government could deal with issues with Indian nations, but state governments did not possess such authority. The Act of 1830 violated this policy, even though the Supreme Court ruled against it. Jackson’s presidency is also famous for his challenging the banking system. Jackson disliked banks, especially the Second Bank, because bankers, who were not elected, had too much power and could control people’s lives, as well as the country’s economy and politics (Wilson & Byker, 2008). Before Jackson’s second election, Congress passed a bill to issue a new charter for the Second Bank, hoping that Jackson would have to sign it (Wilson & Byker, 2008). However, Jackson vetoed the bill on July 10, 1832, which led to the shutdown of the Second Bank.
Overall, despite Jackson’s large contribution to American democracy, his legacy has several serious negative aspects. The most negative Jackson’s legacy causes contemporary people to view him as “the slaveholder, the Indian oppressor, even the Indian hater” (Wilson & Byker, 2008, 06:20). He owed his wealth to many black slaves who were working at his plantation, the Hermitage. Jackson is also remembered by Indians as “Jack Cena,” or “Jackson the devil” for his efforts to evict Native Americans from their homes (Wilson & Byker, 2008, 88:23). The president advocated for democracy, but his democracy applied only to white people.
Issues of Jacksonian America and Their Connection with Modern America
Jackson’s presidency revealed several racial, class, economic, and regional issues existing in America, and some of them are still relevant. For example, Jackson was a racist president, who was convinced that whites were superior to both African Americans and American Indians. The issue of racial discrimination is still present in modern America, with people of color experiencing some oppression in various areas of life. As for the class and economic issues, Jackson was concerned with preventing rich people from exploiting the working-class citizens, which was why he eliminated the Second Bank (Wilson & Byker, 2008). Today, the class struggle is still evident since there are a few people possessing most of the wealth, which is a key characteristic of capitalism. Finally, in the Jacksonian era, regional issues were related to the country’s expansion, but, today, they are concerned with the division of power between state and federal governments.
Conclusion
To sum up, Andrew Jackson’s presidency was marked with a lot of controversies. He was a democrat for whites but an autocrat for Native Americans and African Americans. His presidency was darkened by the fact that he made his fortune by owning slaves and made thousands of Indians leave their homes. Many problems that existed in the Jacksonian era are still present in contemporary America.
Reference
Wilson, M., & Byker, C. (2008). Andrew Jackson: Good, evil and the presidency [Film]. Red Hill Productions.