Introduction
The book “American Passages” can be acclaimed as one of the best textbooks on the events of American history along with the country’s pathway to liberation during the current period of time. Within the book, the audience will find a logical and coherent argument written in chronological order and leading the reader through the main events of the history of the United States. In the following paper, the tenth chapter of this book will be summarized. Overall, the main idea of this chapter is in showing considerable changes which occurred in the United States during Andrew Jackson’s years as the President.
Main body
The chapter “The years of Andrew Jackson” begins with the events leading to Jackson’s inauguration as a president. Then, it shifts to describing the situation in the country at the beginning of Jackson’s rule. The country is shown with its numerous problems including slavery, uncertain relations with native people of the land including Indians and the Mexican nation, unstable political system, a number of failures in the democratic field, economical difficulties, religious debates, and contradictions between the representatives of different social layers.
Next, the chapter describes Jackson’s accomplishments in his position. From the very beginning of his presidency, Jackson is shown as an active and decisive leader. His embrace of the spoils system became a very important step for solving political contradictions in the country. In the economical area, Jackson’s politics has shown that a determined president with a strong position in the society is able to defeat the National Bank. Reforming the banking system of the country became one of the most significant acts by the President. In the social sphere, Jonson’s politics was directed toward defending the interests of the white population of the country. For this reason, the Indian and Mexican nations were driven to the other land as a result of Jackson’s actions.
Further, the chapter relates the events of the antislavery campaign. Andrew Jackson’s position concerning slavery was unshakable. As a slave owner himself, he believed that the African population is to continue as slaves. The President stated Washington’s firm position regarding the antislavery campaign and opposed the actions of remonstrates in Virginia and South Carolina. This instigated a powerful abolition campaign. Political activists including David Walker and Lloyd Garrison of Boston began heated debate in the society. The abolition movement was also joined by religious leaders. This conflict soon became much escalated and established a ground for the future full-flagged war against slavery in the United States.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the book “American Passages” features logical, simple for understanding, coherent, and chronologically organized argument which makes it really convenient for understanding its ideas. The tenth chapter of this book describes the events taking place from 1828 to 1836. During these years, or Andrew Jackson’s years as a president, the country faced a number of significant challenges including the strive against slavery, efforts to regulate the relations with the Indian population, improving the economical situation, overcoming religious contradictions, and establishing reforming the political system. In the chapter, Andrew Jackson’s presidency is evaluated as rather aggressive especially with regards to the Indian and Mexican population and his position towards slavery. Andrew Jackson’s years are described as some of the most important years in the history of the country defining the events taking place during the next few generations.
References
Ayers, E. L., Gould, L. L., Oshinsky, D. M., & Soderlund, J. R. (2009). Cengage Advantage Books: American Passages: A History of the United States (4th ed.). Wadsworth Publishing.