Andrew Jackson, one of the most controversial presidents in history, was elected president in 1828, beating his opponent John Quincy Adams. Jackson won in what is referred to as a landslide, since he beat Adams with an electoral vote of 178 to 83 (which is a huge gap in elections). The American people overwhelmingly trusted Jackson, which is evident based on the amount of support Jackson gained from voters. So, therefore, from his win, Jackson was expected to serve according to the oath he swore at his inauguration stating that “he would preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.” However, many Americans, past and present, speculate whether or not Jackson upheld his responsibilities as president. Andrew Jackson, by …show more content…
The Tariff of 1828 impacted the different regions for various reasons. However, the South was hurt the most by this tariff; although, it was intended “to protect northern and western agricultural products from competition with foreign imports” (“Tariff”). The South was impacted so much because the region exported large amounts of cotton. South Carolina who was most opposed to the tax the most, looked to the Vice President, John C. Calhoun, for aid. Calhoun’s response was suggesting to nullify the tariff based off states-rights privileges, which was an idea to which Jackson was directly opposed. In fact, at a State Dinner, Jackson sat at the head of the table where he made a toast directed specifically at Calhoun claiming that the overall welfare of the country is more important than that of the individual states and the country should be considered overall (Fletcher, November 27, 2017). In 1832, the tariff rose once more, which led Congressman Haynes and Vice President Calhoun to resign their positions in protest. Following this, South Carolina passed …show more content…
Jackson disliked the National Bank because he believed it would “make the rich richer and the potent more powerful” (Jackson). Jackson also was not fond of the idea that a quarter of bank stocks were held by foreign investors, leading them to be successful based off the bank’s success, not Americans. Additionally, Jackson deemed the National Bank unconstitutional. In response to his feelings, Jackson concocted a plan to destroy the bank which consisted of Jackson ordering his Secretary of Treasury to withdraw all the money from the bank and to put it into State “Pet” Banks. With the National Bank in loss of money, they recalled all their loans, but the people who withdrew the loans were not in the financial place to repay the money quite yet. In effect, hundreds of businesses closed and the issue devastatingly hurt the American economy. Later, the thought of buying land became a struggle. “The growing speculation over the purchase of land using paper currency, led President Jackson to try and slow down the economy by issuing an order which forbade the Treasury to receive anything but gold or silver in payment for public land” (Fletcher, November 27, 2017). With this, land was not bought as often and Jackson took the specie from the National Bank and put it in his pet banks, which began to suffer, as well. As the economy utterly crashed, America entered a five year