Andrew Jackson and his impact (DBQ)
Andrew Jackson was 7th President of the United States. With Jackson as the president from 1829 to 1837, America both grew and crippled. Even as the most controversial president ever, the legacy of Andrew Jackson still lives. Because many saw him as a great political figure, his presidency began the “Age of Jackson.” In the eyes of some people, he was a war hero and had a positive impact on the country. On the other hand, others saw him as an enemy who negatively impacted the country. Even though Jackson was an amazing military leader, he proved to be an okay president. As president, he had his ups and downs, causing him to positively and negatively impact the country. Factors of a negative impact were his creation of the spoils system unconstitutional Indian Removal Act. On the other hand, some factors of a positive impact would be his decision to veto the National Bank. Before Andrew Jackson’s presidency, he gained popularity after his great role in winning the War of 1812. At the Battle of New Orleans, he crushed his British opponents with a low American casualty to a high British casualty ratio. His victory showed America that he was a war hero and fit the role of being president. Another victory for America was in 1819 when Jackson successfully gained Florida from Spain, which led to the Adams-Onis treaty. Jackson ended up winning office in 1828. Successful in getting what he wants, he was known as the president of the people. He formed the Democratic Party which would support and protect an individual’s liberty. After all, he had an entire age named after him called the “Age of Jackson.” To begin with, in document A, during the presidential election of 1828, Jackson got more democratic votes than John Quincy Adams the national-republicans.
People voted for Jackson because Adams was seen as a cheater who won the last election with the help of deal was called the “corrupt bargain” which Clay supported Adams in exchange for being secretary of state. This caused people to dislike Adams and vote for Jackson. As a result, Jackson won the election because they saw him as a strong military leader. Furthermore, in document D, Jackson voiced his opinion on his spoils system. This system had a negative impact. He explained how he had benefited the people more than any other president before. People in the spoils system were put into office by Jackson. In order to be a part of it, you must support him. Jackson replaced many government workers with his own supporters in order to benefit the government for himself. In addition to negatively impacting the country, in document E, Jackson vetoed the Maysville Road Bill. This bill would supplied funds to complete the project for building a road that connects Lexington to Maysville. He reasoned that federal funds weren’t constitutional. According to him, these funds would prevent paying off the national debt. In document F, Andrew Jackson wants the South Carolinians to stop their protest with nullification. He explains that since he imposed the tariff, everyone must follow it no matter what.
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The reason why the South Carolinians were against his tariff of 1828, was because it raised taxes on imported manufactured goods. In response to Jackson’s tariff, South Carolina imposed a “tariff of abominations.” Jackson’s tariff would have a positive impact because it would help the U.S. economy. In document G, Andrew Jackson vetoed the bank recharter for the 2nd national bank because he feels that it was unconstitutional, damaging to states’ rights, and threatens people’s liberties. He explained that the rich and powerful people have too much in governing because they are selfish and only want to benefit themselves. Everyone is equal under the law he said. This would also be a positive impact. In document H- Jackson appoints the Indian Removal Act of 1829 because many settlers had complained about them. Many still agree that they’re inferior and not willing to follow the ways of Americans. As a result, 5 native groups were forced to move west of Mississippi. Even though Americans have tried to get them to learn farming and Christian ways, they wouldn’t budge.
The Indian Removal Act could be seen as positive and negative. The act negatively impacted the Natives because now they have to relocate. But the act positively impacted westward expansion. Lastly, in document N, the cartoon represents Jackson as a snobby and corrupt monarch king. It criticizes Jackson for overusing his veto power and ignoring the policies of the Constitution. When Jackson vetoed the recharter of the second bank of the US, it shocked many people. Beyond the documents, during the War of 1812, Jackson and his army won over the Creek Indians and their British allies. During the battle, Jackson destroyed 2 Indian villages: Tallageda and Tallasahatchee. After that, at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in 1814, his army massacred hundreds of villagers and taking control of the Old Southwest. This event would be seen as a positive and negative impact. It was positive because Jackson was able to gain lots of land, but was negative because the slaughter of these innocent women and children would gain more hate towards Jackson. Andrew Jackson both positively and negatively impacted the U.S. during his presidency. First of all, was the negative impact of the spoils system in document D. He first explains how he has benefited society more than any other president before. He’s tricking people into thinking that he and his supporters are stronger than everyone else. People in the spoils system were put into office by Jackson. In order to be a part of it, you must support him. Jackson replaced many government workers with his own supporters in order to benefit the government for himself. This was a selfish act because he didn’t care if a person was educated or experienced. As long as you fully supported him, you get to be a part. Furthermore, was the Indian Removal Act in document H. Jackson appoints the removal act of Indians because many settlers had complained about them. In order to clear up space, he forced native groups to move west of the Mississippi for their land. Even though Americans have tried to teach them farming and Christian ways, they wouldn’t budge.
The Indian Removal Act was a negative factor. Jackson saw them as savages and didn’t care about the damage he was doing to them. The act negatively impacted the Natives because they had to relocate thousands of miles to the west. This was called “the Trail of Tears,” killing many natives on the way. The removal was brutal and inhumane. He thought he would make America better with this act of ethnic cleansing. Basically, he was a killer. Even though he’s done bad things, there are some good things he has done. According to document G, Jackson vetoed the second bank recharter. When Jackson vetoed it, it shocked the wealthy people. He believed that the Bank of the U.S. was unconstitutional and didn’t benefit all people. Therefore, the wealthy would be more benefitted than the common man. Jackson did this because he wants a balance between the classes. To him, everyone is equal under the democratic rule. Jackson proved to be an okay president after all. With all the good and bad things he’s done, he has attracted lots of hate and attention. He had restored power to the people, but never defied slavery. When he left his presidency, he had positively and negatively impact America. For that reason, he wasn’t the worst president but wasn’t the best either.
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