Essential+Question+4+em

//__ Essential Question: "Andrew Jackson created a unique social and economical shift during his presidency, stepping away from traditional Democratic Republican values to give power to the common man for the first time in American history." Assess the validity of this statement. __// //  During Andrew Jackson’s presidency, which took place from 1828-1836, there were a lot of changes made in the White House. Jackson was unlike the other presidents for a number of reasons. He was an Indian fighter and a common man, who didn’t come from power or wealth. Jackson felt that the government was ruled solely by wealthy, white, land owning men, which was true. He felt that it was necessary to give power to the common man. Jackson knew that the majority of the people living in the United States were farmers and merchants. These people would be classified as common men by the “better sort.” Jackson felt that there needed to be a social and economical shift when he took office. Although Jackson was able to give power to the common man and become known as the father of modern presidency, he essentially hurt the country socially by taking advantage of his power and breaking ties with the Indians. // //  Jackson was able to show the country that it was time for a change. He won many votes by slandering the current president, John Quincy Adams. Jackson had a grudge against Adams because he felt that Adams beat him out in the 1824 election due to a corrupt bargain. Jackson and his supporters were very upset that the government played into this corrupt bargain. This election created the law that there was no longer to be presidential elections held behind closed doors. The election created precedents for every election of the future. Jackson started in on his revenge right away. He did everything in his power to make Adams look like a terrible person and it worked. Jackson was able to defeat Adams in the 1828 election due to his phenomenal campaigning. // // Jackson showed the people of the United States that it was necessary for the common man to have a voice and a position of power. He did this by electing all of his friends to positions in the government. This created the spoils system which is still implemented in modern government, essentially dubbing him “the father of modern presidency.” His advisors were his friends and people that agreed with him. If someone decided that they didn’t agree with how Jackson felt he would fire them and find someone who would be in agreement with him. By doing this he ensured that government powers would always be on his side. During his two terms as president he vetoed a total of 12 bills that congress wanted to be passed. This proved to everyone that he had the control and there was no possibility of him passing any bills that he didn’t fully support. Jackson showed the United States the true power of the executive branch during his eight years in the White House. // //  One of the major economical events of Jackson’s presidency was opposing the Bank of America. He felt that it gave too much power to the central government, which in turn, took power away from the common man. Jackson was in a debate with Nicholas Biddle, which became the Bank War, about whether or not the Bank of America was a good idea. Jackson felt that the common man was greatly discriminated against by the Bank of America because it took away the power of the states. Biddle and Henry Clay set Jackson up by asking for the bank’s rechartering four years early. They knew that since he was up for reelection he would have to pass the recharter in order to receive the popular vote. Although Jackson tried to fight for the common man he was defeated because he knew that he needed to popular vote. // //  Though Jackson found the rights of the common man to be of the utmost importance, he found the rights of Indians to be  //insignificant. Jackson had a strong dislike for the Indians, which he proved during the Seminole Wars. He ignored President Monroe’s demand to stay out of Florida and leave the Indians alone. He went into Florida and massacred the Seminole Indians. Jackson implemented the Indian Removal Act in 1830, which stated the Indians wouldn’t be forced to leave their homes, just convinced. They were convinced by military force. The idea of the Indian Removal Act was to open up land in the west for Unites States expansion, but was also brought into action due to Jackson’s hatred towards Indians. Jackson proved that he had a lot of power, which lessened Indian leaders’ resistance. The Indians were forced from their homes and were under government control until they reached their new destination. The path they traveled became known at the “Trail of Tears.” It’s strange that someone who was very into the rights of the common man would strip the Indians of their rights, their land, and their homes. During the Jacksonian era, the country experienced a large amount of change. They saw what a common man in power could do to a nation. Jackson proved that the common man could have power, but he won’t always do the best things with his power. Jackson was able to help the common man by opposing the Bank of America. He also vetoed 12 bills, which proved he had the final say on everything that happened in Congress and the House of Representatives. Jackson was an Indian fighter and a common man. He appealed to the majority of the people because they felt that they could relate with him. He was put into office due to the fact that he slandered and obliterated his opponent’s reputation. He was able to get revenge on Adams and create social and economical changes, all while becoming the “father of modern presidency.”