Andrew Jackson, being a tyrant, abused his power in his time of presidency. He was the 7th president, but before Jackson’s presidency, he had no political experience. One of the only things that really qualified him was the hardships he went through when he was younger. His father had died while Jackson was young and Jackson received the reputation as a “self-made man”, or an independent man. This title gave him a boost on reasons of why he should become president. Other than that, Jackson should not have been elected president, for he made many inexpert and wrong decisions such as the Indian Removal. Andrew Jackson was considered a tyrant because of his removal of the Native Americans, overuse of vetoing, and the general fact that he just …show more content…
Vetoing is to allow or reject a decision or proposal made by a law-making body. The overall reason Jackson is known to be a tyrant is his abuse of power. The amount of vetoes he confirmed truly justifies the fact that he took advantage of his power. “The Second Bank of the United States was founded in 1816 and had a 20-year charter approved by congress that gave it the power to act exclusively as the federal government’s financial agent.” (Source 4) This is just one of the many examples of Jackson’s vetoes. While Jackson vetoed 12 bills in his time of presidency, other presidents at the time vetoed either none or no more than about 7. At the time, 12 vetoes was quite a lot compared to the other presidents. He had vetoes so many laws because he wanted to be the only person running the government. This is another example of his abuse of power. Overall, his way of presidency and amount of bills he had vetoed, really helps support the fact that he was a …show more content…
He had a harsh temper and his personality was just not fit to be in the position of president. Jackson was said to be better for the Army and military and that he just wasn’t really capable of the duties of being president. He even said himself that he was not quite made for president. “I know what I am fit for. I can command a body of men in a rough way, but I am not fit to be president.” (Source 1) Jackson is reported to be saying this statement, therefore, evidence that was not just opinionated about Jackson, but stated by Jackson. He had a personality that was way more needed in the Military. He was named to be brutal, tempestuous, and vengeful. Jackson’s temper had also been brought up by other presidents, such as Thomas Jefferson, saying Jackson was not right for president and that he was nothing but a man for the Army. He soon developed the reputation of an oppressor and a man not worthy of being head of America. In conclusion, there is much evidence to support the idea that Andrew Jackson was a tyrant and vastly abused his power in presidency. Jackson was a cruel ruler for his actions, some including the Indian Removal Act, his overuse of vetoing, and his temper and personality. Overall he was just not right for the position of a political
From a controversial party in the White House to signing the Indian Removal Act. It may seem like Jackson wasn't a great president. But, many presidents have made mistakes some worse than others. Jackson's actions have aided in America being like it is today. That being said Jackson was overall a good president just not a good person.
In keeping with the principle, Jackson tried to abolish the College Electors (those who choose the president) by Constitutional amendment.” This quote shows President Jackson’s heroism in fighting for the people to have the power to elect their president directly. Many people would disagree and say Andrew Jackson is a villain, he did do things that were frowned upon. Probably the most negative thing is the Indian Removal Act.
Andrew Jackson was seen as a common man the voice of the people by some. By others he was King Andrew, trampling the constitution and instigating tyranny. Jackson’s presidency impacted democracy, through his use of the veto power, and his claim of Clay creating a “corrupt bargain”, which is not a turning point for a rise in democracy despite him giving white male suffrage. During Jackson’s use of executive power weakened voice of the people.
How Democratic Was Andrew Jackson? Jackson was born in the year 1767 to a poor family. When he was only 13 years old he was captured from the British during the revolutionary war. As he got older he found himself in the military and he was called a national hero when he fought in the battle of 1812. He served for two terms as president and Jacksonian or is followers say that he was democratic where the people are heard.
In the document “Jackson Battles the Bank”, it shows Jackson fighting off a monster, or the national bank, with a veto stick. Jackson was fighting to destroy the national bank. He wanted to do this because it favored the rich and not the common people. He was fighting for people to have equal rights. Instead of having no bank at all, he came up with the idea to create state banks which wouldn’t be as powerful as the National Bank.
Brittany Randall-Neppl APUSH Period 6 Mr. Kloster 12/19/2014 Andrew Jackson: Champion of the Common Man or Tyrant Andrew Jackson was born into a common life but overcame his mediocre beginnings to become a powerful politician; in 1828 he was elected president of the United States. However, he abused this position of power and made several choices that were detrimental to the welfare and rights of the American people. Jackson implemented the spoils system on a national scale and had unofficial members of his cabinet who did not have to answer to Congress. After South Carolinians were upset by the Tariff of 1832 he was angry toward those who did not agree with it. He also destroyed the National Bank and authorized the Specie Circular.
Andrew Jackson during his time was considered a very patriotic politician he hated the rich, he hated the Indian, and loved the idea of slavery. It has been said that he grew up not educated and had a bad up bring but still managed to get to a high political suture. Jackson at one point was general and had a very decorated portfolio, which made sense he would become president, Andrew was most well know for “The Battle of New Orleans” where Andrew Jackson, prevented the British Army and General Edward Pakenham, from seizing New Orleans nearing the end of that war.
The reasons are, he abused his veto power, caused The Trail of Tears, and The Bank War. The United States government has a system of checks and balances, which means all the branches of the government are equal, and if one branch does something it is not allowed to, it is checked by another branch to make sure it is in check. Reason why it is called checks and balances. Andrew Jackson abused his power of veto to intimidate the
Andrew Jackson has been remembered as a ground breaking president, even being put on the $20. President Jackson was a controversial figure, doing many popular and unpopular things in his time. Although he is remembered as a hero from the war of 1812, he also caused the Trail of Tears and tried to destroy the National Bank. As a result, Jackson should not be put on the $20 bill. His actions have caused many misfortune showing that villains do exist.
One of the biggest thing that Jackson had done as a president was in 1832. Jackson vetoed a bill that would renew the second bank charter early. Jackson stated “I will kill it!”. He said this because he didn’t like the bank at all and he believed that it made the rich richer and the poor poorer. He said in his veto message “It is easy to conceive that great evils to our country and its institutions might flow from such a concentration of power in the hands of a few men irresponsible to the people.”
As I mentioned in the introduction, Jackson has been written in the history book as quite the tyrant. Jackson very well did step beyond his assigned power by overruling the Supreme court and enacting the Indian Removal Act. His act of tyranny does appear to be for the general good of the people of America. Though his actions were for the good of America, this doesn’t overshadow the effects on the indian people. The most significant ethical violation was the violation of civil rights.
During Andrew Jackson’s presidency, he was not the best president. Some might consider him the worst. Most of Jackson’s actions during his presidency were deemed unconstitutional and illegal but were allowed due to the people’s support for Jackson. His plans for America didn’t include women, blacks or Indians. Jackson replaced all the Cabinet members with his selection friends, also known as the “Kitchen Cabinet”.
There has been a lot of controversy of Andrew Jackson, whether he was a good president or one that destroyed the office of the presidency. However, Andrew Jackson is not guilty. He was a good president and should not be accused of degrading the office of the presidency. The first aspect which people accuse Andrew Jackson of wrong doing is what everyone calls The Spoils System. Andrew Jackson came into office, and designed a rotation.
To become president Jackson had to exploit his opponents, and bribe his supporters by allowing them to maintain government positions. Once Jackson became president he exceeded his presidential powers through unconstitutional means. Andrew Jackson was a lying, unconstitutional, racist murderer who covered up his evil deeds by stating everything he did was for the well-being of the United States. Many citizens of the United States sided with
Jackson completely disregarded the Supreme Court's ruling “ Although the ruling was in favor of the Cherokee, Jackson manipulated a deal with some tribe members, giving them two years to relocate to Oklahoma”. All of which is evidence Jackson going outside of his jurisdiction. Jackson allowed the theft of Native Americans sovereign state “Georgia, with the support began to annex the Cherokee land; abolish their government, courts, laws; and establish a process for seizing Cherokee land distributing it to the white citizens”. Determining that Jackson was prejudice against Native Americans. The elimination of the National Bank is the final reason I am certain Jackson was a dictator.