Andrew Jackson Dbq Essay

The election of Andrew Jackson in 1828 marked a significant change in American politics. Jackson represented the emergence of a new middle and working class America. A war hero, tobacco chewer, and a defender of his wife, Jackson portrayed the life a true southerner. As president, Andrew Jackson embraced the role of protecting "common men" his decisions in the matters such as the war on the US National Bank, the Indian Removal Act, and abuse of the spoils system were acts of tyranny. Andrew Jackson saw his decisions as and advancement for democracy, but the rest of America saw it as a reason to rid him from democracy. Andrew Jackson's enemies declared him a tyrant, yet represented the people that elected him and certainly advance the cause

As a growing country America needed a strong trustworthy bank that could lend and borrow money as if it was a daily routine. Jackson denied the idea of a bank because it supported the national power which was not "common man" which was he stood for. Letting his hate for the national bank overcome his mind he tore it down like a savage. George Washington and Alexander Hamilton had instilled the National Bank to serve as a safe haven for federal funds, but Jackson saw it as a privilege for the rich. Jackson, being narrow minded, never thought about the rich or how his action towards the National Bank could hurt not only the rich but the poor. He made it clear that he planned to challenge the constitutionality of the bank. After Congress agreed that the bank was indeed constitutional , the obstinate president vetoed the attempt to draw up a new charter for the bank. Biddle, who was in charge of the bank, was infuriated and publicly criticized him saying, "Just because you have scalped Indians and imprisoned Judges does not mean you are to have your way with the bank." Jackson ignored the ruling of Congress and the serious negative effects destroying the national bank could have, and removed all federal funds from the Second Bank. Impulsive and self centered choices lead to his tyrannical ruling of shipping the Native Americans out of their

Andrew Jackson wanted to "purify" the corruption and arrogance that was becoming of the government officials. This was a substantiate thought and could have beneficial results except it awarded people based on favors rather than merit. High-ranking government officials were swept from their positions and followers who championed and supported Jackson's cause came in for special favor. The post office was the largest department in the federal government, and had even more personnel than the war department. In one year four hundred twenty three postmasters were rid from their positions, most with extensive records of good service. It then became evident that loyalty was better than competence leading to a long term negative effect on the overall effectiveness of the federal