Andrew Jackson was a bad president. He was born in 1767 in a backwoods settlement in the Carolinas. He received a scattered and irregular education. In his late teens he studied law for 2 years and became a lawyer. He was successful enough to afford a mansion with slaves. He was the first man elected from Tennessee to the House of Representatives. He led troops as a general during the War of 1812. Andrew Jackson was the 7th president of the United States and served in office from 1829-1837. He won the popular vote in the election of 1824 but lost the election due to the electoral college. He then won the election of 1828.
The first reason for Jackson being a bad president is that he used his power to get his way. He created the spoils system which allowed him to fire the current members of the government and hire whoever he wanted to. This meant that Jackson could give important government jobs to his friends and supporters. This could mean that an unqualified person could end up with a serious government job. Andrew Jackson also used the power of the veto to shut down bills that he did not agree with such as the 2nd National Bank. Jackson’s extensive use of the veto led to some comparing him to a king. He vetoed about as many bills as the last 6 presidents combined.(Deverell and white, 2006)
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The Panic of 1837 was a severe economic depression that plagued the country after Jackson left office. It is widely believed that Jackson’s banking policies and his unsuccessful plan to curb inflation were the root of the Panic of 1837. President Martin Van Buren was left to inherit Jackson’s policies and had to deal with the crisis.(Deverell and White,