Andrew Jackson And The Spoil System

445 Words2 Pages

Conflict is an enduring issue that has existed as long as man has been alive. Conflict can be defined as things such as war, competition, fights, and disputes between countries, groups of people, social classes, or even ideas. Andrew Jackson's presidency had many conflicts. This conflict can be seen when he removed Native Americans and fired his opponents in the Spoil System. The conflict was obvious when the Natives were forced to move west. The white people wanted Native land after discovering gold in the mountains. Andrew Jackson declared that the move would be benefitting for all people, as the would be less conflict. The Cherokee believed the land was really theirs, and therefore had a right to continue living there. John Ross, chief of the Cherokee, brought the case to the Supreme court, where it was ruled in the favor of the Cherokee. However, Jackson went against the court’s ruling and decided to move them anyway. The government forced the Natives to leave their homes immediately. Now the Natives were like cattle, moving west in a mass, at the white hands who sent them away. Before this, Natives had tried to adopt …show more content…

“To the victor, belong the spoils”, is a phrase that was created from the Spoil System. Jackson believed many of the employees where standing in his way, prompting the mass firings. The spoils, federal jobs, were given to common men and other supporters of Jackson. Wealthy men who, until the Spoils, had been the occupants of federal positions were outraged. Common men never had held positions like these before, but now democracy had been expanded to them. It was a true turning point in the American government. After Jackson, presidents continued to use this system but ceased once it led to the death of President Garfield. Today, it is not uncommon for people to do, as seen with many business and governments. (Document