Jordyn Preble
p.1 Jan. 26, 2016
Was Andrew Jackson a Common Man?
There are many presidents that are considered to be more popular among the people and their popularity comes from the things that they have done for the nation. George Washington, for instance, helped to start the country off, while also setting admirable precedents for the presidents to come. Abraham Lincoln, or “Honest Abe”, worked to free the slaves, helping to brighten one of America’s darker actions. But then there’s Andrew Jackson, who is one of the more well-known presidents, although his popularity doesn’t come entirely from good acts. He was considered to be the nation’s first “common man” president. Although, many people argue whether or not it is a fitting title for President Jackson, a common man has certain qualities. A
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The fact that Jackson made mistakes doesn’t really argue the point of whether he was a “common man” or not, it actually helps it. One of his flawed declarations was to veto the bill to renew the Bank of the United States. While this was argued to be unconstitutional, and just all around ridiculous, it displays Jackson’s commitment to the farmers and middle class of America, versus the wealthier and more knowledgeable men. Jackson also had a fierce sense of determination, which was shown when he disobeyed the ruling of John Marshall and the Supreme Court.
Sure, there are lots of arguable points that conflict with whether or not Andrew Jackson was a “common man” or not. But, based on the abundance of facts that display Jackson’s morals, qualities, and feelings toward the wealthier men that controlled a lot of the government back then, it is obvious that he was a “common man”. Does the fact that he worked for what he wanted, and achieved it, take away from what he was and what he grew up being? Andrew Jackson was a common man with an uncommon
Andrew Jackson, seventh president of the United States of America, can be debated as either a good president or bad president. But if one were to weigh out the positives and negatives of Andrew Jackson’s presidency, one would realize that his positives outweigh his negatives for a variety of historic facts. Andrew Jackson was a good president because he represented the majority of America’s people by being a common, prevented a civil war when South Carolina threatened to secede from the nation, and because he technically found or instigated the two major parties used in America today (Democratic and Republican). Many Jackson oppositionists despise him because of he is a hypocrite, however America was founded on hypocrisy so as an
In the span of 20 years, 42 states elected by the people, and 27 states elected by the legislature. (Document 1). The election of Jackson was considered a “revolution,” because of its peaceful transfer of power. This revolution was different from any other, because it was achieved by ballots rather than bullets. Jacksonians cried, “Shall the people rule?” and the answer was, “The people shall rule!” Andrew Jackson was so notable that people have come 500 miles to see him and think that the country is rescued from some dreadful danger. It is said Jackson’s victory accelerated the transfer of national power from the country-house to the farmhouse, from the East to the West, and from the snobs to the mobs. If Jackson was a hero of the gentleman farmer, he was surely a hero of the dirt farmer. Jackson was democratic because he granted all men equal rights, and believed that the common man is just as good as the wealthy. This is how he got all his support, most of which came from the common man. We must also consider that he was a common man who became successful as president. He disagreed with the wealthy, who tried to empower the common man/farmers, and was a large supporter of wester farmers, low tariffs, and pet banks, rather than a national bank. (Document 2).
One of the ways Andrew Jackson was different than the previous presidents was he connected with the common people. During his second election Jackson won by speaking to the middle-
Andrew Jackson was one of the most peculiar presidents of the United States. Jackson had a different past then most of the presidents because he was born in poverty and had to work for his wealth. Other presidents were born into wealth and had every opportunity handed to them. Although this played a big part on Jackson's presidency this did not play as big of a part as you would think. He had a military background, serving as a general in the war of 1812, along with experience with being an attorney, and his own private practice. Sadly, his wife died a year into his presidency causing him to become what this country knows as one of our worst presidents. The people started to view Jackson differently after this incident, he was seen as someone
Andrew Jackson was the first United States president who did not come from the nation’s elite social class. Andrew Jackson was a president for the “common man” this was a changing point in American politics. Pro Jackson’s would form the democratic party while the elites would be called the Whig
The Jacksonian period of 1824-1848 can also be celebrated as the era of the “common man” because it lived up to its expectations due to the impact it had on America’s politics. Jackson put
Andrew Jackson appealed to the common man as being a military hero, frontiersman, and a populist. Though Jackson challenged the political, social and economic upper class. Jackson and the democrats reinforced this image because they fought for white individual liberty, equality of economic opportunity, political democracy and he went with his better judgement despite the supreme court's decision.
Unlike previous presidents, Andrew Jackson represented the common men. He and his followers did not support the aristocrats, but instead favored the interests of farmers and urban workers. When they gained power, the Jacksonian Democrats brought about great advances in creating a more democratic and economically equal society.
Andrew Jackson wasn’t just a president, he was also a common man. Jackson was most famous because he believed in the common man, and that’s what he fought for and how he wanted to model the country. The common man started as almost the lowest of the system until Jackson helped them rise to be one of
Jacksonian's viewed themselves as guardians of the constitution, political democracy, individual liberties, and equality of economic opportunity. Many of his followers from that time tended to agree but a lot of people today look back and disagree with each of these assumptions. I believe that he was a keeper of the constitution and political democracy. Depending upon your outlook, Jackson was a guardian of individual liberties, even with his oppression of African American slaves, Indians, and women. His equality of economic opportunity was more towards the common man that the elite but gave that common man a larger chance for equality with the elites without allowing the elites a greater chance to increase their wealth.
Throughout the history of the United Sates, presidential actions have impacted the nation in varying degrees. One such example includes the 7th president, Andrew Jackson. With his victory in the Election of 1828, Jackson’s presidency brought about both positive and negative effects that affected various groups in distinct ways. Therefore, several perceived him as a national hero, while others saw him as a villain, and a few were ambivalent about what to think of him. Finally, the effects that resulted from his actions have marked American history politically, socially and economically.
Andrew Jackson, whose presidential term lasted from 1829-1837, was the first president to ever be chosen by the people to lead. Because he was not born into a rich family, people felt that they could relate to him better. He too preferred supporting the common public over the wealthy aristocrats. During Jackson’s period in office he was able to shift the majority of power in the United States to farmers and small businesses in the western part of the country. Jackson vetoed many bills in order to benefit common people and also created the spoils system to balance out his cabinet. Like Jefferson, Jackson was extremely opposed to the Bank of the U.S., believing that it would only make the wealthy even
Jackson was the most democratic of any president at that time to come to power. In practically all areas of political application there was the existence of liberal thinking. This was especially apparent in his previously mentioned appointment of officials. Jackson considered the roles of officials fairly simple and could and should be carried out by all people not just the members of the socially and intellectually elite. The belief of complete equality is with out a doubt Jacksonian. Despite this already democratic view, Jackson took it one step further and appointed the illiterate and plain incompetent members of society to office.
Introduction: Andrew Jackson help to restore hope to the American people. He emphasized that “anyone can succeed through hard work and natural ability rather than unearned power and privilege.”
Andrew Jackson was the seventh president of the United States and was known for his military experience and his rocky presidency. He campaigned on being a “Common Man” and stood for all the things that southern elitist stood for, the good and the bad. However, as with all American Presidents, there was more to his life than just politics.