Essay On Andrew Jackson Democracy

After the War of 1812, The United States entered a period of intense social, political and economic change. These changes would eventually deconstruct America into two factions that would go to war in 1861. The era before that, 1815-1850, has been given many names. The “antebellum period” and “Jacksonian democracy” are just two of the long list. However, I propose that we pull from one of the most important themes of this era: the ideology of republicanism. Republicanism defined the United States since its beginnings as a mere colony rebelling against monarchial tyranny. Therefore I suggest we name the textbook “republicanism: 1816-1850.”

     In this paper I'll go over his presidency, focusing on both the highs and the lows of his two terms in office, from 1829-1837. The issues that I'll focus on are states’ rights, the tariff, the spoils system, Indian removal and banking policies; these controversies brought forth strong rivalry over his years of president. He was known for his iron will and severe personality, and strong use of the powers of his office that made his years of presidency to be known as the "Age of Jackson."

“I cannot be intimidated from doing that which my judgment and conscience tell me is right by any earthly power.”

Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States, was born on March 15, 1767 in Waxhaw on the North Carolina-South Carolina border. He is a controversial man who greatly impacted our country both during his presidency and long term. His actions may have been questioned at the time, as some still are today, but his strong-willed chauvinism in democracy is just what our country needed to hold itself together.

     Andrew Jackson was born in the Waxhaws near the border of North and South Carolina, on March 15, 1767. When Andrew Jackson was born, no one probably guessed that he would be the seventh president of the United States of America. He wasn’t a “high class” person or had all the same credentials, but he became a war hero thus lifting him to his presidency.

Andrew Jackson was born in 1767 and died in 1845. He was also the seventh president of the United States. As Encarta Encyclopedia states, Jackson fought his way to leadership and wealth in a frontier society, and his success established a bond between him and the common people that was never broken. Small farmers, laborers, mechanics, and many other Americans struggling to better themselves looked to Jackson for leadership (1). Jackson moved his way up the chain of the military before becoming president. From an idea in Encarta Encyclopedia, Jackson was a Democrat that was also a hermit. The Democrats considered the opposing party, the National Republicans, later known as the Whigs, aristocrats (1).

When Andrew Jackson was elected president in 1828, he readily filled the hearts of many of his militia and citizens with confidence. Coming from a poor family, Jackson made himself wealthy through many rigorous efforts, and became the first president to be elected from the west. When it comes to the democracy, the term “Jacksonian democracy” is no mistake. Andrew Jackson played a very influential role in advancing the spread, efficiency, and success of democracy in our country.

Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States, is maybe more applicable today than the greater part of alternate Presidents of the mid nineteenth century. In the wake of the challenged race of 2000 and during developing protestations of the "squalor" of legislative issues, we may do well to think back to Jackson's filthy and fervently race for the Presidency in 1824, in which he won the mainstream vote however thusly lost the Presidency after the decision was tossed into the House of Representatives. As America's political gathering framework created, Jackson turned into the pioneer of the new Democratic Party. A supporter of states' rights and subjugation's expansion into the new western domains, he restricted the Whig Party and Congress on polarizing issues, for example, the Bank of the United States. For a few, his inheritance is discolored by his part in the constrained movement of Native American tribes living east of the Mississippi.

The Jacksonians had many core beliefs, including a democracy more dependent on “common man”, national expansion and a hands-off economic approach. While Jackson generally followed these beliefs, he was not always able to comply with them. Jackson advocated for less wealthy elite control, and increased presidential power to do so. Jacksonians believed in national expansion and Jackson endorsed the Indian Removal Act, but advocated for a voluntary emigration out West. Also, Jacksonians believed the Constitution gave the federal government limited economical power, and so Jackson adopted a “hands-off” economy approach.

Jacksonian democracy emerged during the early 1800s, in which it defined American politics for a generation. The political philosophy emphasized democracy for the everyday man. During the time period, elites ruled government without much consideration from the populace. In the Jacksonian era, Andrew Jackson and his supporters influenced politics and shaped the formation of government. Issues such as slavery, forced this political philosophy on the backburner. However, a strong argument can be made for the reemergence of Jacksonian Democracy in today’s modern political climate with regard to shaping foreign policy.

During the election of 1828, Andrew Jackson promised the people of the United States of America that he would be a defender of the common man. His supporters and followers, the Jacksonian Democrats, believed they were guardians of the common man (including his liberties) and the protectors of Democracy. Although it may seem that the Jacksonians acted in favor of the population’s concerns, the truth is that they only acted out of their own sectional interests. Furthermore, Jackson’s self-esteem and biased view contributed to the outrageous actions performed, which led to a terrible presidency.

The Jacksonian Period which lasted from 1824-1828 brought about the term the “common man” which was demonstrated in the Democratic lifestyle our country took on. The Jacksonian Period lived up to this characterization in the sense that a large amount of American men had the opportunity to become politically active, participate in the development of the economy, and reform movements.

The banks that had overextended themselves were forced to press their debtors to repay their loans. Through the process of foreclosure, banks and particularly the national bank became absentee owners of Western and Southern property. Jackson who lived in the west saw what was happening and consequently his resentment towards the national bank grew. Jackson also loathed the national bank for economic as well as political reasons. He thought the law that had created the bank was unconstitutional. He criticized the bank for failing to establish a "uniform and sound" currency. Jackson favored a "hard money" policy that was based strictly on currency, or gold and silver. Jackson also attacked the bank as a monopoly. He said its vast powers threatened democratic government because it meddled in politics. All the events that Jackson experienced along with his personal feelings helped him to make the decision to veto the bill that would charter the national bank for an additional term

Jacksonian democracy was created during antebellum America. The Jackson democrats attempted to aggrandize the puissance of lower classes poor while decreasing the influence of the rich and potent. Economically, they benefited from governing during a time of paramount advances in transportation, which boosted commerce and helped the common man. Politically, they invested power into an overwhelmingly powerful executive branch. The Jacksonian democrats portrayed themselves as saviors of the common people and ruled via a powerful executive who attempted to destroy aristocracy in America.

American democracy is the idea that the government is by the people exercised through elected representatives. America was still mostly unknown land that was begging to be explored, so that brought on the talk of expansion. While there was people populating certain areas, the issue of who could stay there was in full effect. Slavery was at its peak, leading to abolitionists planning the end of it. Democracy came to be by the people having their voices heard and fighting for what they believed in.