Andrew Jackson Project

Andrew Jackson

or

Hero

Villain

By Nithya Hothur

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Quote:

"I was born for the storm, and a calm does not suit me"

-Old Hickory (Andrew Jackson)

Quote Analysis

This quote shows Andrew Jackson's perspective of himself, in that he views himself as powerful rather than calm. Jackson's metaphor compares him to the power of a storm known for bringing chaos, thunder, and lighting, which are ancient symbols for the manifestation of power. This quote shows that Jackson believes he is ready to overcome such a challenge and that he as an individual can thrive through the chaos. Another meaning this quote could show is Jackson's rejection of authority an confidence of power. This quote indicates that Jackson felt, like a storm, he could not be contained, regarded himself as higher than others. Overall, it shows Jackson perspective in a sense and supports the belief that he felt overpowered as an individual.

Question: Is Andrew Jackson a

or a

Hero

Villain

Villain

Claim: Andrew Jackson was a

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why?

Click each icon to figure out how exactly Andrew Jackson was a villain in society.

The Spoils System

Native Removal

The Kitchen Cabinet

The Bank War

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The Spoils System

Summary:

Rational:

The spoils system was when a political party rewarded its campaign workers and supporters with government posts and other favors. It was an attempt to add efficiency to the government following an election. Although the system involved passing out goods to citizens, in its time it primarily meant the hiring and firing of workers in the federal government. President Jackson pioneered the spoils system, replacing knowledgeable federal employees with opposing views with unqualified and random members of his political party, setting a damaging precedent and revealing his intentions.

One might wonder how creating the spoils system makes Jackson a villain. The spoils system villanizes Jackson as its practice produced a corrupt government based on the favoritism and biased views of Andrew Jackson. Not only did it lead to a government in which there was only one perspective, but it also led to the inefficiency of the government. Jackson was noted to spend excessive quantities of time just by hiring loyalists when instead he could be fulfilling his promise to the common man. It is unfair and one could even argue unconstitutional to fire someone based on belief, or political orientation if this truly is a country that supports freedom in its most basic form. When Jackson removes these people from office he sends a message to all those who oppose him that his way is superior which is an onward movement to despotism and oppression. This is precisely what America was fighting for in the first place, from the criminal reign of the British hierarchy, making Jackson no better.

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The Bank War

Rational:

Summary:

The Bank War was the conscious effort of President Andrew Jackson that involved removing the national bank from the US economy which started with the opposition to rechartering the Second National Bank of America. Jackson felt that the banks were in direct conflict with state rights and that those who voted for him as president were not in favor of its continuity. After directly vetoing the bill for the recharter he immediately started a campaign to end the bank once in for all which went into effect in the second term of his presidency. In all as a self made man he felt that the bank only benefit the wealthy.

Although the Bank War seemed to be Andrew Jackson's way of caring for the people, his ill-advised decisions brought many consequences for the American economy. Most notably the panic of 1837 which was a depression that had formed from Jackson's financial policies specifically the abolishing of the National Bank. This depression lasted till the 1840s and was completely unnecessary for the growth of the united states. Andrew Jackson was quick to trust his advisers rather than educating himself on the very National Bank that helped Americans form a uniform currency and promoted both the manufacturing and agricultural industry of the US. His obsessiveness with the crisis engrossed problems with actual significance. This eventually halted manifest destiny or the American dream as its effect on American morale was incredibly damaging. If Jackson truly cared for the American people then he might have been more careful to consider the devastating outcome of the Bank war. His decision was indeed close to the power-hungry and tireless views of some tyrants as he disregarded even the most prestigious financial adviser, Alexander Hamilton's thought by doing something more suitable for his voters which in the end, points to villainy.

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The Kitchen Cabinet

Rational:

Summary:

The reason that this made Jackson a villain is that Jackson used these advisors to maintain his political dominance rather than consulting those who actually had experience in the field and were qualified overall. This was a seemingly obvious way Jackson tried to keep his authority and ensure his decision was enforced in the long term. It shows villainy in that Jackson created a corrupt environment and defied his promise to the people that he was one of them by conspiring to his benefit. Even through his implementation of the spoils system, the cabinet supported him leading him to feel empowered much like in authoritarian rule in which there is a court that agrees with everything a king has to say and no other answer is taken, which the end is villainy.

The kitchen cabinet was Andrew Jackson's unofficial consultants or advisors who happened to be his friends. Contrary to belief they served roles detrimental to US politics and the economy—popularly advising him on the National Banks' downfall and the rise of the Panic of 1837. They tended to support Jackson on all his decisions making it difficult for the government to please all the people of the United States as only Jackson's party. Jackson also involved himself and his cabinet members in numerous scandals as president. In all these unofficial advisors took a toll on Jackson's presidency.

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Native Removal

Summary:

Rational:

Jackson's plan to move these Natives was flawed in every single way. Firstly Jackson used harsh methods to get them across ranging from forcing them into stockades and trampling them if they were caught in the way. Jackson also didn't provide them with medical assistance when he knew the journey would be long and unclean. Had they had some water or food arranged for them perhaps they wouldn't have consumed water-containing bacteria causing typhus and dysentery. Over 4,000 Cherokees out of 15,000 died and to this day no American president has acknowledged it including Jackson, who was the cause. If Jackson claims to be a people man and loves all those living in America, why did he leave his beloved Americans to die? His actions cannot be justified as they caused harm and forced the Natives to leave behind their land not allowing them freedom of any kind, which doesn't make any constitutional sense. This scenario was like when the British tyranny didn't allow the future people of America to exhibit their rights. This was Jackson's final step to tyranny and thus also villainy.

In 1830 Andrew Jackson introduced the Indian Removal act to continue westward expansion in the area of native inhabitance. Soon after, Worcester VS Georgia took place in which the supreme court ruled that Non-Native American people were prohibited from Native American reserves. However, Jackson continued with his orders to remove the Native Americans. He forced the five main tribes westward and used a militia against those who resisted and gave them no medical attention whatsoever. Many died along the journey giving it the name "The Trail of Tears" and embedding it in history.

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Final Statement

Therefore this shows that Andrew Jackson was not a hero but a villain due to his actions throughout his presidency which included creating the Spoils System, Starting the Bank War, using the Kitchen Cabinet, and cruelty to the Native Americans. Jackson set foot into tyranny by disregarding the views that he didn't like and creating an inefficient government. By uneducatedly making decisions he risks the future of this country, and by completing the Kitchen Cabinet he induces corruption in the government. Lastly, by being so cruel to the Native Americans he takes lives which in the end is only something a villain could do.

Thank You!