To What Extent Could Andrew Jackson Be Considered a Man of the People

The presidency of Andrew Jackson can be considered one of most controversial in American history. Andrew Jackson made many extreme decisions while in office that can be looked at as either beneficial to the country as a whole and to the common people or not. When examining Jackson's "new democracy", the bank veto, and the Indian Removal act it is evident that Jackson was a man of the people to a great extent. The decisions Jackson made while president helped lead the United States to a prosperous time period.

The term "new democracy" refers to the point in American history when it became easier for the common man to vote and become involved in the government. Jackson supported "new democracy" because he felt it was imperative that everyone including the common men were represented. This was proven by Jackson in 1820s when he supported that all the voting restrictions be abolished. This shows that Jackson did not care about status he wanted everyone to vote. Without voting restrictions in tact the election of 1828 between Jackson and Quincy-Adams had the highest percentage of voters. This shows that "new democracy" gave the common man a voice. When Jackson became president after the election of 1828 he went further with his idea of "new democracy" and appointed a kitchen cabinet. A kitchen cabinet is a group of average middle class citizens that give ideas to Jackson. This gave the common man a voice where problems could be taken right to the president. This creation of a kitchen cabinet by Jackson was beneficial to the country because he was able to fix problems directly. Jackson also incorporated the spoils system into his presidency. The spoils system when government jobs are given to common people for support. This gives the common man an official government job so their ideas for the country will be heard. However one may argue that "new democracy" was not beneficial for the common people because the spoils system gave jobs to people that did not have the proper skills. However it is evident that Jackson's "new democracy" was beneficial for the common people and the country because during Jackson's time as president the United States was prosperous.

There has always been controversy surrounding the National Bank since its initial charter. The feud over the National Bank was especially intense between the northern and southern states during Jackson's presidency because the bank was up for renewal. Jackson being a man of the people vetoed the bank in 1836. Jackson vetoed the bank because the National Bank supported monopolies and most of the money invested was by foreigners. This proves that Jackson wanted the common people in America to be successful. Without the bank middle class citizens did not have to worry about the wealthy or foreigners. However one may argue that Jackson is not a man of the people because with the closure of the National Bank it became harder to control taxes throughout the United States. This however is not significant because Jackson was very successful during his presidency the United States was never in debt.

Throughout American history the southern and western portions of the continental United States were populated with Indians. Jackson being a man of the people wanted American citizens to have more land. The benefits of having more land meant that more crops would grow and farmers would make more money this money would be used to purchase American goods which would boost the American economy. Jackson was able to remove the Indians by forcing them west. This land became essential for American farmers and it is evident Jackson made the correct decision in forcing the Indians west. However one may argue that Jackson was not a man of the people because he violated a Supreme Court ruling (Worcester v. Georgia) that stated Jackson could not remove the Indians. This did not anger people because Jackson was able to secure the land for American citizens and the agriculture in America increased therefore it is evident that Jackson was looking out for the common people when making his decisions.

The presidency of Andrew Jackson was filled with controversy but it is safe to say that Jackson was looking out for the common people. The common people trusted their government more and Jackson delivered by leading America through a time period of success. It is evident that Jackson was a great president and can be considered a man of the people to a great extent.

Sources

Bailey A., Thomas, David M. Kennedy, and Lizabeth Cohen. The American Pageant. 11th Edition. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1998.