Andrew Jackson’s legacy is intricate, and as experts have debated it for many years, there are various ways to interpret his deeds. On the one side, he is well-known for his involvement in strengthening the president’s authority and for using the veto to accomplish policy decisions. His acts toward South Carolina and the Cherokee Indians, on the other hand, are usually considered to be proof of his power-hungry and bullying character.
Americans should commemorate Andrew Jackson for his merits in American politics and his contentious ideas. He was a key figure in the extension of government authority, and his application of the veto displayed executive supremacy that set a paradigm for subsequent presidents. In addition, his acts against South Carolina and the Cherokee Indians were disastrous and are generally considered a dark chapter in American history.
Students should be educated about Andrew Jackson objectively and fairly in public schools, keeping in mind his accomplishments in American politics and his contentious policies. For instance, Jackson’s exercise of federal power was viewed as a danger to nations’ rights and established a paradigm for its growth that would be contentious for the remainder of the 19th century, according to Feller (2021). Scholars can accomplish this by teaching primary and secondary sources that comprehensively understand his presidency and deeds.
To reconcile the memory of a man who appears to have done both good and horrible things during his presidency, it is necessary first to grasp the historical environment in which Jackson existed and worked. This can assist people in comprehending why he took the choices he did and how people interpreted his conduct at the time (Lawton, 2019). It is entirely up to every person to decide how they wish to honor Andrew Jackson, but it is critical to have a thorough awareness of his legacy.
References
Feller, D. (2021). The historical presidency: Andrew Jackson in the age of trump. Presidential Studies Quarterly, 51(3), 667–681. Web.
Lawton, S. K. (2019). The rise of Andrew Jackson: Myth, manipulation, and the making of modern politics. American Nineteenth Century History, 20(3), 316–318. Web.