FREE ESSAY ON ANDREW JACKSON

ANDREW JACKSON

Andrew Jackson and his policies strengthened the new American 
nationalism. Through his actions during his presidency, he changed the 
nation into a more nationalistic country. Jackson was a man of the 
people, and he strongly felt that the common man was the power behind 
government. There were many different aspects that mirrored Jackson 
and American nationalism. Many factors, including his personality, his 
policies, his actions, and the way he mirrored American nationalism 
changed America into what become less of an aristocracy and more of a 
democracy to benefit the common man. Jackson was a man of humble 
background. In his time, a man that was born in a cabin was looked 
upon highly, and some of those with more noble upbringings actually 
apologized for not being born in more humble surroundings. Jackson was 
a brash, strong-willed man. He first got his fame in 1815 when he 
defeated the British Army at New Orleans with his untrained militia. 
Then in 1818, he violated Spanish territory without any authorization 
and hung 2 Spanish subjects for supposedly aiding some of the Indians 
that were being hunted. He lost the election for presidency in 1824, 
and claimed it was done so by a corrupt bargain: between Adams and 
Clay. He finally got his presidency in 1828. Most of his votes came 
from the West and South. When he was in office, he made it clear that 
he would get his way. He was labeled King Jackson the First by some 
and he expanded the power of the President. He supported a strong 
national government and used his power to get what he wanted. He 
vetoed 12 times in his 2 terms in office. His presidency was one of 
violence, and a sort of monarchy rule. 
The second main point that Jackson strengthened nationalism is 
his policies while in office. Jackson firmly believed that the
government should be restricted to become the simple machine which 
the Constitution created. He was truly a man of the people. He also 
ignored many of the decisions made by the Supreme Court. Another thing 
was the Jackson had a strong personality and was well liked. However, 
I feel that many of Jackson's supporters didn't know where he stood on 
the views, but they supported him because he was a man of the people. 
He didn't make his view clear many times, but still received support 
from the people. Violence was a thing that he used also to get his 
way. A person was either for him or against him. Jackson usually 
implemented what he wanted personally, not what was good for the 
people. For example he was a slave owner, and he supported the ban of 
antislavery pamphlets in the mail. Jackson's policies caused the rise 
of American nationalism and the strength of the office of the 
President of the United States of America. 
Many of the actions took by Jackson reinforced the new 
Jeffersonian Democracy. His actions were those of a strong President
and a strong national government. They all were part of the rise of 
American nationalism. He vetoed bills he did not like, he threatened 
using national troops in South Carolina to enforce the tariff, and 
many others. His actions however were also not always consistent. He 
seemed to support a strong national government, but also was a states' 
rights champion too when he didn't interfere when Georgia violated the 
Native Americans rights laid down by a federal treaty. One of his 
biggest actions however was the veto of the Second Bank of the United 
States. This awarded honest labor, and was a great setback for 
monopoly and aristocracism. Jackson took actions to try to benefit the 
common man, and strengthened American nationalism. 
Jackson's presidency mirrored American nationalism. American 
nationalism was growing, and the aristocracy was dying out. He was a 
common man, and stood up for the common people. His actions were all 
to push for a government that acted within the limits of the 
Constitution. That is showing nationalism by only allowing the 
government to do what the people have given it power to do. He also 
did what was in his power to better the common man in the economy. He 
did not like the National Bank because it hurt the common man, and 
strengthened the aristocrats and corporations. His actions were what 
became known as Jacksonian Democracy, and raised the American 
Nationalism. 
Jackson's time in office raised the American nationalism in 
many different ways. Jackson was the first true president of the
common people, and he acted accordingly. Jackson believed in a strong, 
but limited national government, and he used it to benefit the common 
man because he was too a common man. Throughout his presidency, he 
took many actions that led to the strengthening of American 
nationalism. He strengthened the presidential powers and the power of 
the people also.