The Negative Consequences Of The Jacksonian Era

The presidency of Andrew Jackson, from 1829 to 1837, has been widely regarded as a pivotal period in our American history, marked by both popular admiration and fierce opposition. During the election of 1828, Jackson’s legacy as the “Champion of the Common Man'' to protect the rights of the common people against the elitists resonated with the increasing democracy of many Americans. Jackson’s actions as president, however, sparked controversy from his opponents who only saw a tyrant monarch set to harm the constitutional order. While acknowledging the positive aspects Jackson made to his legacy, the negative consequences on the common man posed a challenge to the development of an equitable society. The Jacksonian Era, denoted by its mixed

In his Veto Message Regarding the Bank of the United States, Jackson argued that the bank went against the principles of democracy and was “held by…chiefly of the richest class” (Veto Message Regarding the BUS). Jackson’s belief against a national bank was fueled by his view that they were monopolistic, concentrated in the hands of a few, and disadvantaged the majority of the population. Additionally, a bank was never authorized in the Constitution, opposing Jackson’s strict interpretation of the Constitution. This veto would be a victory for the common man as it would limit a corrupt institution and place the nation’s finances in control of the people, coherent with his legacy as the “Champion of the Common Man”. However, this veto was not seen as a victory by all, far from it. The Boston Daily Atlas, a Whig newspaper, asserts that Jackson’s, and the entirety of his “Kitchen Cabinet”, veto was motivated by personal/political issues instead of a commitment to democracy. They feel that Jackson’s allegation that the “powerful throughout the country are waging a war of oppression against the poor” is only the product of “cunning, falsehood, and corruption…a very firebrand intended to destroy their opponents” (Boston Daily Atlas). While this editorial was published by Whigs, a political agenda opposing Jackson’s party, it provides insight

These abuses can be clearly mapped from the initiation of his first term. Jackson’s First Annual Message to Congress expressed his defense of rotation in office, the spoils system, as a necessary tool for rewarding his political supporters and ensuring their loyalty. He argued that “the more is lost by the long continuance of men in office than is generally to be gained by their experience” in reference to removing previously held positions, however, Jackson’s appointments were known to be unfit for their roles and placed purely on a corrupt political bias (First Annual Message to Congress). This system allowed for widespread cronyism as unqualified individuals were appointed to significant government positions solely on the basis of their political connections. These appointments favoring specific groups placed an unfair advantage on the entire population—quite against his stance on advocating fairness for the common men. This practice rewarded Jackson’s supporters, consolidating his expanding power and building a system of patronage that favored his allies. This undermined the basis of the American government and demonstrated Jackson’s extent to prioritize his own political interests over those of the people he had sworn to serve. The political cartoon, “King Andrew I” provides a stark reminder of