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The Arguments Of Andrew Jackson From The Twenty-Dollar Bill

Decent Essays

The central arguments for removing Andrew Jackson from the twenty-dollar bill revolve around Jackson’s history and policies toward Native Americans and slaves, and the idea that each new generation should get the opportunity determine its own cultural identity. Weiner argues that Jackson’s history as a slave-owner and his policies toward Indians, epically his endorsement of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, deem him to be unworthy of a position on the $20 bill. Weiner also discusses the importance of generational identity. Since the currency of a nation is such an accessible and visible symbol, it reflects the values of the nation in a prominent way. Therefore, whoever is pictured on the currency is a direct reflection of those values. Weiner argues that important values change in every generation; and therefore, the nation’s currency should reflect those changes and modern principles. Jackson does not represent the modern attitudes and morals of the United States. Additionally, Andrew Jackson shared this view of a changing democracy. He would agree that each generation has the right to define their own identity. Finally, Weiner touches on the subject of who should have the authority to change representation on the currency. He decides that it should be decided by a citizen panel, not just the Secretary of the Treasury. The primary arguments for leaving Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill are Jackson was a man of his time, meaning that his behaviors were not different

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