Andrew Jackson Dbq

Andrew Jackson: Popular, not Representative of the Average American
The Election of 1828 involved John Quincy Adams, who was elected in 1824, and Democrat candidate, Andrew Jackson. As the current president, Adams was described as being a weak and ineffective leader. Andrew Jackson was a War of 1812 hero; he had a rough, frontier background, gaining him support and popularity. Jackson’s supporters celebrated his accomplishments in combat as well as his service in the Tennessee Convention. However, there were many who opposed Jackson; they were outraged at Jackson’s questionable actions in the past. Accusations of Jackson’s character and leadership capabilities caused controversy; the Election of 1828 does not depict Andrew Jackson as being

Across the country, rallies and conventions were held in opposition of Jackson. During an anti-Jackson Convention in Richmond, Virginia, members expressed their concern: “... we are unanimous, and unhesitating in the opinion, that Andrew Jackson is altogether unfit for the Presidency, and that his election would be eminently dangerous …” (Anti-Jackson Convention, 1828). The members stood in solidarity in their opinion, demonstrating their fear for the Republic as well as how outraged many were at Jackson’s past actions: “... disobeying the orders of his superiors, trampling on the laws and constitution of his country, sacrificing the liberties and lives of men, has made his own arbitrary will, the rule of his conduct (Anti-Jackson Convention, 1828). Jackson’s character was questioned throughout the campaign, motivating those against him to use the information to demonstrate why he should not be president. Through Jackson’s past actions, he shows he is not representative of the average American, who upholds morality, values democracy, and respects authority. According to the anti- Jackson Convention, Jackson’s past indicates he has not always done these things, showing how he does not represent the average

A Washington insider, Margaret Bayard Smith, expressed her discontent over the election after Jackson’s inauguration, “The Majesty of the People had disappeared and a rabble, a mob, of boys, negros, women, children, scrambling, fighting, romping. What a pity! What a pity!” (Smith, 1828). Through Smith’s remark, it is understood that not all Americans are not represented by the rough, rowdy, newly-elected Andrew Jackson, demonstrating that his influence was met with opposition contrary to the belief that he was popular and widely