How Democratic was Andrew Jackson - 1042 Words

How Democratic was Andrew Jackson? Old Hickory never backed away from a fight. Even at seventy-five Andrew Jackson was still fighting and leaving a trail of card games, busted up taverns, liquor bottles, and bloody noses in his wake which earned him the nickname Old Hickory. Jackson became a lawyer on the North Carolina Frontier at age twenty-one and later moved west to Tennessee where he settled down with his wife. In 1815, Jackson was made an American hero because he and his troops were victorious as they held off a British attack known as the Battle of New Orleans. Jackson was elected president in 1828 and reelected in 1832. Jackson felt strongly that the common man was the power behind the government, which is why he extended the†¦show more content†¦Martin Van Buren specifically advised Jackson not to appoint Swartwout because he had criminal tendencies and would be dealing with large amounts of money. Jackson ignored Van Buren and would be humiliated for his selfish decision. Jackson made many poor d ecisions in his own self-interest that were undemocratic and put a blemish on his presidency. Jackson mistreated and harmed the Native Americans which was oppressive and undemocratic. In Andrew Jackson’s message to Congress, he lied when he stated that, â€Å"This emigration should be voluntary†¦ (but) if they remain within the limits of the states they must be subject to their laws,† (Doc 8). The Native Americans had adapted and begun to resemble a civilized society with town meetings, public education, and an alphabet. Less than six months later, Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act and would soon take military force to push the Native Americans west into a reserved territory for them in what is present day Oklahoma (Doc 10). It was very undemocratic of Jackson to lie to the Native Americans and oppress them by forcefully moving them to the reserved Indian Territory. The Cherokee however, did not give up easily and took their case to the U.S. Supreme Court. Th eir plea to remain on the land of their ancestors without interruption was upheld and clarified that the Cherokee had the right to establish their own nation within the state of Georgia (Doc 9). Jackson ignored the ruling of the Supreme Court and ultimatelyShow MoreRelatedHow Democratic Was Andrew Jackson?1265 Words   |  6 Pages How Democratic Was Andrew Jackson? Looking at the ballots of 1828 and 1832, Andrew Jackson was clearly labeled as a Democratic Republic, a party founded by Thomas Jefferson. These Democrats supposedly believed in the ideas of a limited central government, states’ rights, and protection of the liberty of individuals. However, based on these principles, tyrannous â€Å"King Andrew I† may not be as democratic as one may think. Jackson shifted the Presidency to a more personalRead MoreAndrew Jackson Dbq: the Democratic President Behaves Like a Dictator1342 Words   |  6 PagesAccording to his enemies, Andrew Jackson behaved more like a dictator/king than a democratic president. Jackson and his followers became the basis of the Democratic-Republican party, later known as the Democratic party. He believed in the spoils system, supported the common man, and equality for all people regardless of their social class. Although he had such positive features, he had some negatives as well. Jackson removed Native Americans from their homeland by signing the Indian Removal Act ofRead MoreWas Andrew Jackson Democratic Essay1200 Words   |  5 PagesHow democratic was Andrew Jackson? Andrew Jackson was more democratic than not, due to his full support of the lower classes, his desire for new voting laws, and his veto of the banks. Although he was democratic in those ways, he also showed non-democratic qualities in his time in office, including events like the Native American Removal. Since he showed both qualities of a democrat, and a non-democrat, it is not easy to argue a certain side. Andrew Jackson himself, was once a man of the lowerRead MoreAndrew Jacksons Views Of Jacksonian Democracy1157 Words   |  5 PagesJacksonian Democracy describes the time from when Andrew Jackson became the seventh president of the United States in 1829 till the end of his second term in 1837 (Shi and Tindall, 319). He was the first president that didn’t come from a prominent colonial family. His â €Å"common man† background lead him to being a popular political figure among the common people. This lead to him and his supporters forming America’s democratic party. A democracy is a system of government where the people or citizensRead MorePolitical Parties And Its Impact On Society1191 Words   |  5 Pageselection, we see how greatly elected officials impact our everyday lives. Civilization has truly evolved since the beginning of the political parties in the 1600’s started by the Ancient Greeks. During that time, two groups who are known as the Patricians and the Plebeians made many of the decisions for the Greek society. The Patricians were made up of the Nobel families and families that were born into royalty, and the Plebeians represented the middle class. Even in that time we see how much of an impactRead MoreWhat Did Webster Tell Jackson After He Abolished The Bank?1556 Words   |  7 Pagestell Jackson after he abolished the bank? â€Å"You nee d to take a chill BILL.†At the age of 13, Andrew Jackson participated in the Revolutionary War and then returned home to the death of his mother, and experienced life as an orphan. As the years went on, Jackson became less violent and at the age of 17 he started to study law. This level of education, lead him to becoming Tennessee s first representative at the age of 29. After one year, Jackson was the elected and before he knew it, he was the URead More To What Extent Was Jacksonian Democracy Democratic? Essay1209 Words   |  5 PagesWhat Extent Was Jacksonian Democracy Democratic?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  During the administration of Andrew Jackson, the United States was a nation of change both politically and socially. American society was a society of opportunity. Americans felt that, given a chance, they could make a better life for themselves. This was the era of the common people, the era of democracy. Andrew Jackson appealed to the American people because he stood for values many regarded with favor. However democratic Jackson may seemRead MoreThe Election Of Andrew Jackson1576 Words   |  7 Pages With the election of Andrew Jackson, for the first time in American history, a common man built his way up to earn the title of President of the United States. Jackson being of â€Å"low birth† had particular significance because he went from rags to riches. During his presidency his affinity for the common people did not change, thus Jackson tended to favor the rights of the common people over what was constitutionally correct. Andrew Jackson from such ac tions can be called the â€Å"father† of AmericanRead MoreEssay Andrew Jackson: A National Hero Never to be Forgotten969 Words   |  4 PagesOld Hickory was not a man to mess with. Nick-named for his toughness, our nation’s seventh president was a favorite general among his soldiers. Andrew Jackson stood for the common man, being one of the only presidents born into poverty. This victorious man shaped the modern Democratic Party we know today, and is a national hero that will never be forgotten. Andrew Jackson was born March 15, 1767 in Waxhaw, a settlement between North and South Carolina. He resided in the forested region of theRead MoreAnalysis Of Andrew Jackson s Life And Presidency Fall Under Constant Scrutiny Essay1369 Words   |  6 PagesWe look at how they helped progress America, and in some cases, we look at how they ruined America. One former president gets the popularity of either being America’s top leader or most questioned. Our seventh president, nicknamed King Jackson and Old Hickory, hails from the state of Tennessee. President Andrew Jackson is one of the most scrutinized politicians in American history. It is the objective to present the arguments of our colleagues on the interpretations of Andrew Jackson, as his life