Andrew Jackson Hero or Villain

Andrew Jackson: Hero or Villain? Andrew Jackson was the seventh president of the United States. He served two terms from 1829 to 1837. Jackson was one of the most popular leaders of his time, especially among ordinary Americans. Before Jackson, most presidents came from wealthy families and had been highly educated. Jackson, however, grew up poor in the Carolinas. He was the first president born in a log cabin. His early life was hard—he lost both his parents when he was young and had to survive on his own. Many people saw Jackson as a symbol of the American dream: someone who rose from nothing to the highest office in the land. Before he became president, Jackson earned fame as a military hero. During the War of 1812, he led American forces to a major victory at the Battle of New Orleans. Even though the war had officially ended just weeks before, news traveled slowly, and Jackson's win made him a national hero. He also fought in wars against Native Americans, including the Creek War. His military success built up his reputation as a strong and determined leader, willing to fight for the nation. Jackson first ran for president in 1824 but lost to John Quincy Adams in a very close and controversial election. Many of Jackson’s supporters believed the election was stolen through a "corrupt bargain" between Adams and another politician, Henry Clay. Jackson used this anger to rally support, and he won the election easily in 1828. His victory marked a major shift in American politics, often called the "Age of Jackson," when the power of common citizens became stronger. One major change during Jackson’s presidency was the expansion of voting rights. Before Jackson, only wealthy white men who owned property could vote in many states. During his time, more states removed the property requirement, so more white men could participate in elections. Jackson believed that government should represent the "common man," not just the wealthy elite. His supporters loved this idea and believed Jackson was fighting for their interests. However, Jackson’s idea of democracy was very limited. He believed in equality for white men, but he did not extend the same rights to women, Native Americans, African Americans, or enslaved people. In fact, some of Jackson’s most famous actions as president caused great harm to other groups, especially Native Americans. In 1830, Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act, which forced Native American tribes living east of the Mississippi River to leave their homes and move west. Jackson argued that this would help both Native Americans and settlers avoid conflict, but in reality, it led to great suffering. One of the worst effects of the Indian Removal Act was the Trail of Tears. This was the forced journey that Native American tribes, especially the Cherokee, had to make to lands west of the Mississippi. The journey was long, hard, and deadly. Thousands of Native Americans died from disease, hunger, and harsh conditions along the way. Many historians today believe the Trail of Tears is one of the darkest chapters in American history, and Andrew Jackson’s role in it is widely criticized. Jackson also took a strong stand against the Bank of the United States. He believed the national bank gave too much power to a small group of wealthy people and that it hurt farmers and small business owners. In 1832, Jackson vetoed a bill that would have renewed the bank’s charter. He then removed government money from the national bank and placed it into smaller state banks, often called "pet banks." While this move pleased many of his supporters, it caused serious economic problems later. After Jackson left office, the country fell into a deep financial crisis called the Panic of 1837. Another important event during Jackson’s presidency was the Nullification Crisis. South Carolina tried to ignore a federal law by declaring it "null and void" within the state. The law placed high taxes, called tariffs, on imported goods, and South Carolinians believed the tariffs hurt their economy. Jackson, however, believed that the Union must stay strong and united. He threatened to use military force if South Carolina did not follow the law. In the end, a compromise was reached, and the crisis ended peacefully. Jackson’s actions showed he was willing to fight to preserve the United States. Jackson’s leadership style was very different from the presidents who came before him. He used the power of the presidency in bold new ways. For example, he used the "veto"—the president’s power to reject laws passed by Congress—more times than all six previous presidents combined. Some people admired his strong leadership, calling him a man of action. Others criticized him for acting like a king and ignoring the Constitution. Today, Andrew Jackson’s legacy is still debated. On one hand, he helped expand democracy for many white Americans. He showed that someone without wealth or family connections could rise to the highest office. He strengthened the role of the presidency and helped create a stronger two-party political system, leading to the rise of the Democratic Party. Many Americans saw him as a symbol of courage, toughness, and determination. On the other hand, Jackson’s actions had terrible consequences for Native Americans. His economic policies helped cause a major depression. He supported slavery and believed African Americans were not equal. Jackson’s idea of democracy left out many people who were not white men. Some historians argue that while he gave more power to everyday white citizens, he also deepened divisions in the country that would lead to future conflicts. In the end, Andrew Jackson was a complicated figure. He was a hero to some and a villain to others. His presidency changed the country in big ways, both good and bad. Andrew Jackson: Hero or Villain? — Worksheet All Work is to be completed in your notebooks. Work WILL be reviewed. Treat all written responses as a RICE response. Part 1: Multiple Choice Questions Choose the best answer for each question. 1.​ Why was Andrew Jackson known as the "people’s president"?​ a) He was born into a wealthy family.​ b) He grew up poor and represented ordinary Americans.​ c) He promised to lower taxes for the rich.​ d) He had the most education of any president.​ 2.​ What major military event made Jackson a national hero?​ a) The Creek War​ b) The War of 1812, Battle of New Orleans​ c) The Mexican-American War​ d) The Civil War​ 3.​ What law led to the Trail of Tears?​ a) The Tariff Act of 1828​ b) The Indian Removal Act of 1830​ c) The Compromise of 1850​ d) The Missouri Compromise​ 4.​ Why did Jackson oppose the Bank of the United States?​ a) He believed it helped ordinary farmers.​ b) He thought it gave too much power to rich people.​ c) He wanted to create a bigger national bank.​ d) He believed it supported Native American rights.​ 5.​ What was the Nullification Crisis about?​ a) Whether Native Americans could vote.​ b) Whether Jackson could veto bills.​ c) Whether a state could ignore a federal law.​ d) Whether to create a second national bank.​ Part 2: Short Response Answer each question in 2–4 sentences. 6.​ What were two major groups of people that Jackson’s idea of democracy left out?​ 7.​ Describe one positive change Jackson made during his presidency.​ 8.​ Describe one negative effect of Jackson’s presidency.​ 9.​ How did Jackson's early life affect the way people viewed him when he ran for president?​ Part 3: Extended Response Answer almost as a mini essay. There should be a proper opening, conclusion and a couple of body paragraphs with cited evidence to support your answer. 10.​Based on what you read, do you think Andrew Jackson was a good president? Why or why not? Use at least two pieces of evidence from the reading to support your answer.