History Essay #1- Should Andrew Jackson be celebrated or condemned as a U.S. President?
Some may think Andrew Jackson was a great president and others may think otherwise. What did he do for the country? We ask ourselves this question after thinking whether not he improved the U.S. or not. Andrew Jackson was not fair. He gave government jobs to his friends and people who voted for him. This was best known as the spoils system. He is almost considered a king. In particular, the Supreme Court sided with the Native Americans against Georgia and Jackson still refused the Supreme Court ruling. Although, Jackson did prevent an early Civil War. He was also a strong supporter of the Union.
Moreover, he introduced the National Spoils System, it threw out officeholders and replaced them with his political supporters. People who cared about the prizes rather than the country were more in control then the ones who cared greatly about the country. It also corrupted the government because no one had a chance to get a good chance at their career. He also destroyed the second bank of the U.S. Just like most western people he hated large banks. Jackson tried to destroy it by withdrawing the money and placing them in the state banks. A great asset to the nation's economy was the National Bank. The bank supported he wealthier white men, but not the white men who worked. It was not his decision to determine the constitutionality of the bank. The Supreme Court had already decided the bank was constitutional from the case Maryland against McCulloch. He may of abused his presidential power, then again he did have a panic following his two terms. Jackson threatened to hang the South Carolinians for their actions because in 1828 they tried to nullify a tariff on imported goods. He even threatened his vice president but it was luckily figured out in an understanding in 1833 by Henry Clay. This definitely didn't help out his presidency.
Furthermore, He was also largely responsible for the Indian Removal Act in 1830 and the "Trail of Tears". Possibly it was suppose to be a good act since he had earlier adopted a Native American boy. He didn't want to wipe out the whole Native American people. However he thought these
Indians had something to do with eastern development. He forced them off their land and moved them west. In 1831 Supreme Court ruled that Cherokee Indians have the right to self government and the U.S. didn't have the right to intervene with that. Jackson refused to listen once again and still continued to force the Indian out of their homes. According to these reasons Andrew was a bad president and doesn't deserve to be on our twenty dollar bill.
Then again, Andrew Jackson may have many negative things against him but there are some positive things. In May, 1814, Andrew Jackson was named a Major General in the U.S. during the War of 1812. In addition, as a commander of the militia in Tennessee he defeated the Creek Indians. After the win it secured twenty three million acres of land for them. This was after the Treaty of Fort Jackson, it was signed in 1814, it forcefully made the Creek give up their land.After the attack on President Washington Andrew Jackson told the U.S. to surround New Orleans. He took his troops, free African Americans, Choctaw Indians, a militia from the state and also pirates who were led by Jean Lafitte. On January 8, 1815, he defeated the British at the Battle of New Orleans. The fight was against five thousand-three hundred British troops against four thousand-five hundred Jackson troops. This battle made Andrew Jackson a hero and was also the last major battle that had to do with the War 1812. In addition, as a commander of the militia in Tennessee he defeated the Creek Indians. After the win it secured twenty three million acres of land for them. This was after the Treaty of Fort Jackson, it was signed in 1814, it forcefully made the Creek give up their land.
With considering the information we know now; is Andrew Jackson a real hero? I believe he is , after all, he did win battles for us and led U.S. troops that were out numbered and still managed to win. Was he fair? No, do to the spoilers system and the Indian Removal Act obviously not. Leading the "Trail of Tears" didn't help him out exactly either, but what would of happened without Jackson? Some may not think down to detail but we would of had a possibility of losing without Jackson leading our troops through battles. His negative flaws and positive characteristics balance him out in my opinion. Therefore, its up to you to think if Jackson was a great president or if he deserves to be honored today.
