This week in class, we learned about Andrew Jackson’s long-standing reputation as president. To learn about this topic, small groups were assigned to research various accomplishments and events that occurred during Jackson’s presidency. My group was assigned the topic of slave removal and created a Google Document to show the rest of the class. By creating our own presentations and gathering information from classmates, each student was able to form an opinion about Jackson’s presidency and determine whether his reputation was deserved.
Andrew Jackson was the 7th president of the United States. His presidency was best known for it’s involvement in the Indian Removal Act, the Spoils System, and the Bank War. As a man, Jackson was known as a violent, drunken gambler with a daring spirit. As president, Jackson did not posses many of the traits that a great leader should have. However, Jackson was also known as a great military general, showing that he did have some qualities as an effective leader. In the 1800s, Jackson, along with many white men, became involved in a controversial land dispute with the Indians. Jackson unjustly forced Indians to leave their land and move out west through the use of war and law. This journey that Indians took to the west, known as the “Trail of Tears”, resulted in the deaths of over 10,000 Indians. During the Indian Removal, Jackson sent a letter to congress suggesting that the Indians should be helped in some form, but insisted that the Indians were not aware of what was best for them. Ultimately, Jackson forced the Indians to move out west. Although Jackson often had decent intentions, they often caused controversy. Jackson also greatly impacted the society and financial collapse of the 1800s through the use of the Spoils System. Jackson used the Spoils System to reward those who supported his presidency with important government positions. Jackson based this irrational system on loyalty, rather than skill or intelligence. Overall, over 900 people were removed from their government positions. By giving government positions to those who were loyal to him, he believed that people would have “fresh eyes on the government”. This Spoils System later failed Jackson when one of his workers, Samuel Swartwout, robbed the government of over 1.2 million dollars. Lastly, Jackson’s involvement in the Bank War greatly impacted the government and economy of the 1800s, beginning the expansion of democracy. Jackson feared his people would be exploited by banks and believed that large corporations would destroy small businesses. He issued a bill against the bank’s charter, shifting power from the wealthy and foreigners to regular American citizens. This bill classified all wealthy as predators and spread tension, paranoia, and panic within society. Throughout Jackson’s presidency, many of his actions were driven by his desire to please his constituency. However, despite his intentions, his actions remained controversial.
Throughout Jackson’s presidency, he had honorable objectives to initiate the equal distribution of power between businesses and social classes. However, the outcome of many of his decisions often resulted in one group being negatively impacted. Jackson deserves the reputation as a “people’s president” despite his lack of support towards some groups, such as the wealthy and the Indians. Jackson’s presidency may be considered a failure by some, but he always had the intention of benefitting the community and pleasing those who supported him. If Jackson had not been such a “people pleaser” during his presidency, then many of the conflicts and historical events of his time may not have occurred.
