Is Andrew Jackson a Hero, or a Villain? “One man with courage makes a majority." This quote by Andrew Jackson perfectly portrays the life, the character, and the overall Presidency of Andrew Jackson. Andrew Jackson became the seventh President of United States of America on March 4, 1829 and served two terms until March 3, 1837. During this time frame, Mr. Jackson completely revolutionized the Presidency of the United States by winning the popular vote, and by being the direct representative of the common man (Frey, Marc and Todd Davis the New Big Book of US presidents, Philadelphia: Running, page 37). Throughout his life and his Presidency, Andrew Jackson was not only known as a man with a fiery temper, but also known as a man of courage
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One of his greatest accomplishments as president was when he became involved in a battle with the Second Bank of the United States. Jackson took a stand towards this monopoly and vetoed its re-charter bill, charging the bank with unfair economic privilege. Even though Jackson was popular with the common man, his presidency did have some controversies. One policy that is up for debate is how Jackson dealt with the Native Americans. In 1830, many southerners wanted Native Americans to move out of their land and in response; Jackson urged congress to pass the Indian Removal Act (Lapanskey-Werner, et al page 254). This sought to negotiate the exchange of Indian lands in the south for new lands in American territory (Lapanskey-Werner, et al page 254). The Jackson Administration urged many Native Americans to sell their land and move out of the southern territory which a ajority did; however, the Cherokee Indians refused to move and went to the Supreme Court (Lapanskey-Werner, et al page 253). The Supreme Court eventually ruled that the Cherokee Indians be allowed to remain on their land, but Jackson decided to force them out of the southern territory, along a Trail of Tears, that ended in Oklahoma (Lapanskey-Werner, et al page 254). Many people criticized Jackson for these actions, calling them inhumane and cruel, but Andrew Jackson’s focus was for the interest and welfare of the people of United States. Even …show more content…
For starters, the first six presidents of the United States were from wealth, education, and from the east. Andrew Jackson was a self-made man who considered education an unnecessary requirement for politics. Andrew Jackson also felt that the common man was the power behind government. For instance, in 1832, Jackson took a stand and vetoed the renewal of the bank’s charter as he believed the bank neglected the common people (Lapanskey-Werner, et al page 257). Jackson believed that a bank is of no use for democracy if the common man cannot benefit from it. In his own words Jackson states “if the people only understood the rank injustice of our money and banking system, there would be a revolution by morning.” President Andrew Jackson became a defining figure of the common man as he overcame life struggles, achieved a great military career, and achieved self-made success as an adult. In the public’s eye, Jackson was one of
One of his greatest accomplishments as president was when he became involved in a battle with the Second Bank of the United States. Jackson took a stand towards this monopoly and vetoed its re-charter bill, charging the bank with unfair economic privilege. Even though Jackson was popular with the common man, his presidency did have some controversies. One policy that is up for debate is how Jackson dealt with the Native Americans. In 1830, many southerners wanted Native Americans to move out of their land and in response; Jackson urged congress to pass the Indian Removal Act (Lapanskey-Werner, et al page 254). This sought to negotiate the exchange of Indian lands in the south for new lands in American territory (Lapanskey-Werner, et al page 254). The Jackson Administration urged many Native Americans to sell their land and move out of the southern territory which a ajority did; however, the Cherokee Indians refused to move and went to the Supreme Court (Lapanskey-Werner, et al page 253). The Supreme Court eventually ruled that the Cherokee Indians be allowed to remain on their land, but Jackson decided to force them out of the southern territory, along a Trail of Tears, that ended in Oklahoma (Lapanskey-Werner, et al page 254). Many people criticized Jackson for these actions, calling them inhumane and cruel, but Andrew Jackson’s focus was for the interest and welfare of the people of United States. Even …show more content…
For starters, the first six presidents of the United States were from wealth, education, and from the east. Andrew Jackson was a self-made man who considered education an unnecessary requirement for politics. Andrew Jackson also felt that the common man was the power behind government. For instance, in 1832, Jackson took a stand and vetoed the renewal of the bank’s charter as he believed the bank neglected the common people (Lapanskey-Werner, et al page 257). Jackson believed that a bank is of no use for democracy if the common man cannot benefit from it. In his own words Jackson states “if the people only understood the rank injustice of our money and banking system, there would be a revolution by morning.” President Andrew Jackson became a defining figure of the common man as he overcame life struggles, achieved a great military career, and achieved self-made success as an adult. In the public’s eye, Jackson was one of