Andrew Jackson Case - Jacksonian Essay

Jacksonian Essay

Andrew Jackson was one the greatest and most powerful Americans to ever influence this country as a whole during the 19th century. He was a soldier, a leader, an aristocrat, a hero to some, a villain to others. But above and beyond all these statements he was known as the president of the "Common Man" and became so justifiably. He was a man that always took action for his beliefs and did so honorably when he annexed Spanish Florida for the United States. And to say that his image is unworthy of being on American currency is a great grievance not only to his honor, but to the American people as well. Andrew Jackson is more than worthy enough to have his image placed on the current twenty-dollar currency note of this nation's federal reserve bank, for he has implemented policies that have profoundly affected the political, social, and territorial development of America.

Andrew Jackson's decision to stand firm against the nullification crisis of 1832 kept the nation strong and unified. The nullification began as a conflict between the federal government and the state of South Carolina. The conflict began with a proposed tariff which was favored by the South and states that it will fix the terms stated in the previous tariff that was instated by congress. The nullification leaders went on the offensive spurring off the flames of their movement throughout the Southern states especially South Carolina. This political "uprising" was very dangerous to the new born America, for it created division within the country and even foreshadowed an early civil war. Jackson was quick to try to resolve the situation by lowering the tariffs and offering new tariffs that compromised to both sides, but that proved useless as tensions increased as more states joined the support for nullification. Jackson saw this saw situation as a great danger to union of the country and proposed the "Nullification Proclamation" which would declare that the nullification of federal laws would be incompatible with union and contradict the constitution. And as a result a new bill called the "Force Bill" was signed and delayed the nullification and was essentially the "Death-Blow" to the nullification movement. Jackson acted swiftly on this impending issue and kept the union strong and united may have inadvertently saved the nation from an early civil war

Jackson set forward a radical new profound type of democracy in America that would eventually establish the modern day system that nations continue to use today. He hated the idea of an "elitist" America and the previous government officials before his term. He had believed that they were the result of corruption due to their long terms in the government and sought out to replace them. He believed that the urban workers or the "common man" should have a voice in government as well as society.