Andrew Jackson's Shortcomings As A Democratic President

Democracy can be interpreted in many ways, but among all the definitions it is clear that a democracy is at its core a government ruled by and for the people. The first democratic president was our seventh, Andrew Jackson, elected in 1829. His unfair treatment of the native American people, shady government appointments, and exploitation of the spoils system all contribute to the notion that perhaps he wasn’t so democratic after all. Many consider him a democratic icon, considering his advancements towards an equal union, but he had many shortcomings as president. Andrew Jackson could be considered democratic due to how elections changed under his presidency. Increasing amounts of states elected the president through the people’s choice rather than legislature. In 1816, all states elected a president through legislature’s voting. By 1836, the end of his Jackson’s presidency, all but one state had shifted to electing through the people’s vote. (Document A) His staunchly democratic views helped push for all white suffrage and the satisfaction of the people in their president, which ultimately leads to a happier nation. And this was certainly the case with Jackson. “People [came] five hundred miles to see General Jackson” at his inauguration. His defenders rejoiced in the belief that a transfer of “national power from… the snobs to the mobs] had occurred.” (Document B) Until then, a president hadn’t really represented the wants of

Despite his platform of helping middle class, working white men by taking away the rights of others such as the Native Americans, he ruined both groups in his egotistical mindset. He should have truly represented and protected the interests of the people rather than himself. Failing to do this much of the time, like Jackson, is unacceptable. It is crucial for a president to preserve the inalienable rights of those he alleged to