Viewpoints of Andrew Jackson’s Presidency Essay

Andrew Jackson, the 7th President of the United States became remembered for his strong authoritative position and his presidency became a turning point to the American politics. Jackson became the first President of the country, who represented the West part of the United States and this election changed the balance of political forces in the country. Jackson took part in the process of becoming of the United States as a country. His authoritarian rule and unpopular decisions made him stand against his opponents. At the same time, his decision and legislative initiatives followed one ultimate goal – make state system strong enough to become able to protect citizens and support their rights and liberties.

Jackson was not afraid to confront the Congress. Being a successful army commander, Jackson was known for his strong personality and strong will. From the very beginning of his rule, he used his political power for the fullest and proved to be a strong head of administration. Confronting the Congress, he often used his right to veto decisions of the Congress. The Political Cartoon on Jackson (Document 1) illustrates Jackson, depicted as a king and named Andrew 1.  In addition, he has veto papers around him. These characteristics describe his autocratic governing style and his opposition with the Congress. Henry Clay, who lost presidential elections of 1832 to Andrew Jackson,  in his letter to Jorge Brook, written in 1834, states that political system of the country became subdued to the will of one person. He also notes, that ordinary people gladly follow all his decisions and initiatives (Document 5).  Jackson became the head of the Democratic party, which became opposed to the Whig party. 

Presidential contest of 1828 was marked by dirty technologies, used during the elections. Elections of 1828 became the first elections in the history of the country, which illustrated the growing of political consciousness among ordinary votes (Document 6).  James Patron in the Biography of Andrew Jackson (Document 2) speaks about the shift in the electoral system. He describes how Jackson became the representative of the will of ordinary people, ending the epoch of the rule of an upper class, which did not fulfill its basic function of taking care of all members of the society. Dirty technologies during the elections of 1828, where Jackson was blamed in adultery because of minor inconsistency in the documents, prove that people in the United States believed Jackson, despite provocative information (Document 4).  Jackson struggled for the rights of ordinary people and made his best to end the system of privileges and power of the elites. Ordinary people had confidence in his approach and his methods. His growing popularity and his victory during the elections of 1832 prove that Jackson’s policy appealed to the vast majority of the population. The rise of voter turnover illustrates how ordinary people of the United States gained faith in the electoral system and took more and more active role during elections (Document 7). Jackson became the leader, who proved ordinary Americans that their political will had meaning and could influence the political, economic and social process inside and outside of the country. At the same time, Jackson’s opposition expressed a negative reaction to his growing power and his supporters.   Henry Clay in his letter of 1934 expressed negative attitude toward Jackson and stated concerns with his autocratic rule and his popularity. According to his opinion, such methods endangered democratic system of the country.  Martin Van Buren, Jackson’s successor, won the elections of 1836.  Cautions, expressed by Henry Clay in his letter to George Brook came true (Document 5). At the same time, this victory can become a symbol of people’s support of Jackson’s political course.

Jackson’s conflict with the Bank of America was conditioned by Jackson’s desire to end the monopoly of the Bank, which was beneficial only to a small number of the elites, bringing negative effect to the wellbeing of the country and vast majority of the population.  Jackson did not become afraid to enter a severe withstanding with South Carolina state when it refused to follow federal laws and pay federal taxes. In the South Carolina’s Ordinance of Nullification, issued in 1932, the state refused to pay money, appointed by tariff acts of 1828 and 1832 (Document 3).  Jackson, who always stated for the liberalization of the power of states in front of the Congress, did not let South Carolina disobey state regulations.  Federal army forces were ready to use arms against the representative of the state, but South Carolina state officials changed their opinion and changed their decision of nullification. Jackson’s reaction illustrated how the country was looking for the balance between federal and state power. Jackson showed enough political will to demand the states follow general rules and regulations. At the same time, Jackson did not demonstrate the same strong will in another situation, when the state of Georgia invaded millions of acres of land, which belong to Cherokee Indians according to the Federal law. The Maps of Cherokee “Trial of Tears” illustrates the route Cherokee Indians left their native land moving to Arkansas (Document 6).  Andrew Jackson refused to enforce the ruling of the Supreme Court, which ensured that lands, invaded by Georgia, belonged to Cherokee Indians according to Federal law.  Cherokee signed a treaty in 1935, according to which their territory was exchanged to the territory of Arkansas,  where they moved in 1938.  About 15,000 of Indians started a long journey without the necessary equipment. They move on foot and lots of Indians could not complete this rout and died during the relocation.

Andrew Jackson can be called both – an outstanding personality and autocratic governor.  His decisions are sometimes brave, as with the American Bank or pressure of South California, sometimes doubtful, as Cherokee case, but his political position and strong will helped the country gain additional power and recover after a devastating war with Great Britain. The country gained strength and power under his command.

Works Cited

Cheathem, Mark R. and Terry Corps, eds. Historical Dictionary of the Jacksonian Era and Manifest Destiny, 2nd ed. 2016.

The terms offer and acceptance. (2016, May 17). Retrieved from

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016.

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

freeessays.club (2016) The terms offer and acceptance [Online].
Available at:

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]

"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016

[Accessed: March 29, 2024]
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