Andrew Cabrera
Professor Rutledge
POL 406 - Analytical Book Report 1
25 September 2017 In the American Lion, Jon Meacham addresses an exciting story of a president who brought change within the United States and did an overhaul of the American presidency. At the heart of the book are Andrew Jackson and his small circle of friends or acquaintances . Essentially, the book is about a man who rose from nothing to establish the modern presidency. Andrew Jackson struggled at a young age, and earned his way to becoming an individual with authority. He played a critical role by bending the nation to his will, all in an effort to establish democracy. His election in 1828 sparked a new cycle in politics, where the people mattered more than the
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Meacham builds his thesis by relying on published research and discovered documents. He discusses some of the major battles that Jackson was involved in, all correlating towards the development of the role of being president of the country. Additionally, similar to the philosopher John Locke, Jackson held favoring opinions on the separation of church and state and always fought to steer the country towards adopting legislations that would benefit the society. It is important to note that most of the writing precedes Jackson’s presidency and this plays a critical role in shaping Jackson’s motives in building his country. Jackson is sworn in as an enemy of patronage, therefore differing from prior presidents. He decides to make anomalous decisions to restore the office by discarding workers from the previous regime. Further, Meacham also conveys the fact that Jackson relied heavily on promoting treaties that would open new land opportunities for whites, while pushing out the Native American populace. Generally, Meacham relies on various events happening in the life of Jackson that had an impact on his presidential decisions and public opinion, in addition to existing documents in order to build his thesis. Meacham’s presentation is based on the personal and political life of Jackson. He presents the two in such a style and illumination narrative to present an entirely human imposition of a man who was not only underestimated in his
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
To elaborate on the positives of Jackson’s life, though he was disliked and his opinions were not agreed with, he had some good aspects throughout his presidency. For
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 building nation of the United States of America is built on the central idea of having a democracy, in which people are given opportunity, freedom, and equality. Around the late 1820s to 1840s, the United States of America approached a period commonly known as the Jacksonian Era. The Jacksonian Era is often depicted with its democratization of politics and it is tightly associated Jackson’s two-term presidency. The era also featured him as a prominent, unique white man, but most importantly, a figure of the “common man.” Before the Jacksonian Era, Andrew Jackson had been involved in the skewed Election of 1824, which he had just barely lost to his running mates. Later, after redeeming himself by winning two consecutive elections, Jackson
Although, Meacham notes that it was an excuse to search for gold in a new land as Virginia’s charter instructed the settlers to “search for all Manners of Mines of Gold, Silver, and Copper.” Only 3% of that charter was about God (61). While the Spanish went to great lengths to convert the natives of Mexico, the English did not. Meacham mentions “the criminal treatment of Native Americans” perhaps three times and implies that religion was a factor (65). Nonetheless, he does not linger on the topic and provides no specific details. This is rather surprising considering his description of Andrew Jackson’s era as “a time of religious revival and growing nationalism” (141). A time during which Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act and his successor Martin Van Buren authorized the forced removal of the Cherokee people from their native lands in what became known as ‘The Trail of Tears.’ Yet Meacham ignores this completely while instead comparing Jackson’s stance on religion and government to that of Thomas Jefferson. Similarly to his discussion of Native Americans, Meacham classifies the “religious and cultural implications for the faiths and customs of those brought here in bondage” as “largely overlooked,” but fails to expand upon the topic of African American slavery and its effects
Andrew Jackson, The United States seventh president, was possibly one of the worst human beings to be president and treated the Native Indians horribly. He, was a bully and used his position to get acts and petitions like the Indian Removal Act passed, to help push Native Indians around so he could get his own way. The Indian Removal Act in and of itself seemingly doesn’t contain that much power, however it was all the power Jackson needed. The circumstances of Jackson’s character and the debates surrounding the Act also lend and interesting lens to examine what Jackson intentions were. When looking at Jackson and how he managed to relocate the Native it becomes substantially more integral to examine all the documents with a wide scope to see how he even managed the relocation of Natives.
As America’s most influential political figure during the 1830s, Andrew Jackson left a permanent imprint upon American politics and democracy. Born on the border of North and South Carolina, Jackson was left to confront the world on his own after the death of his parents. By the age of 29, he involved himself in law and politics as he was elected as Tennessee’s first representative in the U.S. Senate. Jackson’s first success came from war, specifically when he commanded American forces in the defense of New Orleans against the British in 1815. Soon after, Jackson decided to make his first run for the President of the United States and won both the electoral and popular vote in 1824. Jackson is often connected to a new spirit of democracy
Andrew Jackson was probably one of the most powerful and influential presidents during his time at the white house. He was hated, yet loved by many. Jackson was an American soldier, who gained fame as a general in the U.S and served in both houses of Congress. He was soon elected the seventh president of the United States. After Jackson took charge, he wanted immediate change as to how the government was being run. For starters, he came with a new idea of voting. Allowing the common people to vote for whom they believe was the right person for the job. Before the introduction to
America’s history is rich and full of countless heroes, scandals, and incredible stories. Perhaps one of the most interesting of those stories is that of Andrew Jackson’s. To some, he was a hero, but to others, he was their worst enemy. Being raised in the mountains of the Carolinas, he became the first “backcountry president” of the United States (Wilentz, 13). His fame, though, began years before his presidency.
Although the “Age of Jackson” wasn’t a time era, which brought forth a great political, social, or economic freedom and equality to the U.S., it did in fact put our country through a metamorphosis in our political lives of the nation. The start of a new presidency (Jackson’s presidency) was accompanied by huge numbers of Hickoryites (Jacksonian supporters) and official hopefuls. Many of these hopefuls were granted their desire of holding office, which is one of the changes brought into Washington by Andrew Jackson.
When Jackson came to power in 1829 he promised much, advocating equality, democratic change, morality in government and true representation. However Jackson's success or failure as a president is shown by what he actually did. The thesis of this essay is that despite the variety of issues faced by Jackson he didn't actually bring about much change. This could be interpreted as failure but his legacy as a strong president, as a symbol of US democracy, and also the devotion of the people to him, does perhaps counter the failings. Failure might constitute not meeting one's promises but Jackson's ambiguity and inconsistency on many issues make it hard to judge his performance. I would not say he was completely successful or unsuccessful but
In my paper I while inform you of the United States 7th president Andrew Jackson. My paper consists of interesting facts about Mr. Jackson. It isn’t like what you read about in regular history books. Although some are random there fun facts that you may or may not know about my topic.
The Purpose of this essay is to discuss the Andrew Jackson Administration. I will first talk about Jackson’s war on against the U.S. Bank. Second, I will talk about the Presidential election of 1824, 1828, and 1832. Third, I will talk about the Indian Removal Act as well as the Trail of Tears. Fourth, the ways in which Jackson expanded the power of the president. Fifth and final, the Nullification Crisis of 1832.
Liberty and Power: The Politics of Jacksonian America by Harry L. Watson, examines the newly introduced political system America creates, and how it ever-so-slowly contributes to the rise of one of the greatest nations. Unfortunately, due to the recent dismemberment from an empire who ruled using a
The United States of America has gone through huge transformation and historical events that has now given freedom and independence throughout. The freedom has been given through war and key decisions made that have eventually won its independence and created the United States of America from East to West. Andrew Jackson was the president in the early 1800’s that made a considerable amount of change. Theses changes and action that he was involved in changed America forever, in which gave him the respect from the people of America. He was a symbol for his age, becoming a true historical figure and a hero for the people. He defeated the British and expanded America to unifying and create nationalism for the common people of America. This essay will discuss the ways in which Andrew Jackson is depicted as a symbol of the age, in that he was the age. The events and action that took place to give the seventh president power and unify a nation and its own identity in the world.