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=__**Andrew Jackson**__= Born on March 15, 1767 and died on June 8, 1845 Terms of Office: (Two Terms) March 4, 1829 until March 4, 1837 Vice President(s): John C Calhoun (1829-1832) and Maartin Van Buren (1833-1837) Political Party: Democratic

Andrew Jackson served during some of the most crucial and controversial years throughout American history. Given the circumstances he was under and the division of the country, it is hard to say that Jackson and his actions were liked and supported by everyone. His efforts were sincere though and meant for the good of all people. For this reason, Jackson deserves a solid B for his process throughout the presidency. In reference to globalization, it generally was not one of Jackson’s most prominent concerns during his administration. However, the president’s administration did negotiate a number of treaties to secure foreign trade and settle damage claims, which were both positive aspects for our nation. However, that being said, Jackson did raise a few disputes with Mexico when he sent Anthony Butler to compromise a treaty with them, which required great patience… a quality that Butler did not posses. After that attempt failed, his old comrade, Sam Houston led American emigrants into Texas’s border. Jackson did decline to approve American annexation for Texas and even refused to recognize the new republic without prior congressional approval. The issues over Texas and Jackson’s initial interest in it eventually led to a war between Mexico and the United States a decade later. His motives for Texas clearly had the best interest of the people of his nation in mind, to further expand westward to gain land. Most all decisions made by Jackson, like this one, were for the sole purpose of developing the nation and for the betterment of the American people, which supports the grade given to Andrew Jackson.

When President Andrew Jackson gave his inauguration speech on March 4, 1829, there were multiple goals in which he wanted to attain. These goals included building up the national militia as the bulwark of defense to seem invincible to other countries. By building up the military, America became a stronger country, because of President Jackson’s efforts. The goals also included administrating the government for the good of the people. In detail he went on to say that the government should be regulated by their will and as long as it secures the rights of the people, it would be worth defending. This goal was such an important motive for most of the decisions Jackson made during his presidency. With almost every action he took, Jackson had the best intensions for the American people. He also went on to say that without unity, America would never be where it was at that time, and without maintaining that unity, the country would never thrive as one. This goal was incredibly hard to reach throughout Jackson’s terms, especially given the circumstances dealing with the controversial issues of slavery. But despite those differences, America still held together throughout his two terms as a unified nation for the time being. Almost all the goals that President Jackson mentioned during his inauguration speech were met by the end of his second terms due to his dedication and care for the country.

The relationship that President Jackson shared with Congress was moderate, it wasn’t overly negative, but Jackson initiated situations with which Congress didn’t fully agree. For instance, Jackson, unlike previous presidents, did not yield to Congress with policy-making, but used his power of the veto and his strong party leadership of the Democrats to assert his power and assume command. In fact, during President Jackson’s terms, twelve bills were vetoed, which was more than all previous presidents’ vetoes combined. In addition, John C. Calhoun, the Vice President to President Jackson, fell out of favor with him and finally broke with the president over nullification and states’ rights. He resigned in December of 1832, the only Vice President to ever do so besides Spiro Agnew. Even though these flare-ups did not show the best of Andrew Jackson, he was still generous, considerate, and above all loyal to his countrymen and nation. Even Vice President Van Buren, who followed Calhoun, stated that he “never knew a man more free from conceit or one to whom it was to a greater extent a pleasure, as well as a recognized duty, to listen patiently to what might be said to him upon any subject.” This quote proves the dedicated good character that Andrew Jackson possessed and which most of Congress saw in him.

During the terms that Jackson served as president, there was not one action or outcome that suited every desire within the nation. In other words, due to the division of the nation during his administration, there was always a group that despised the choices Andrew Jackson made. Whether it was the Tariff and Nullification or the veto for the Maysville Road Bill that would have authorized federal funds for the construction of a highway in Kentucky, no one was unanimously content with the decisions ever made. Despite these crucial feelings, the ultimate best action that President Jackson took was passing the Indian Removal Act of 1830. This Act removed the Cherokees from their homeland state in Georgia and moved them to land west of Mississippi where he promised they would enjoy complete sovereignty forever. The Act allowed for further expansion of land which especially appeased the south. The reason this Act was the best action taken, was because it did not cause much retaliation, if any between the North and South, which was uncommonly seen during Jackson’s terms. Since the nation was divided, it was hard to make each region happy with every action taken. However, the South supported this cause and welcomed it with open arms. The North, however, did not overly despise the Act and unlike the majority of Jackson’s decisions which caused huge controversy, this one did not. The North knew that their Indians had already been taken care of previously so it wasn’t a big issue to them when it needed to be done in the South. Although, the Indians were disrupted and forced to migrate west, which was a long duration causing many deaths. The Indian Removal Act did not cause obvious controversy, which again, scarcely happened during Jackson’s term and is why passing this Act was the best action taken.

The action that had the most negative outcome however was the Bank War in 1832. At that time, President Jackson vetoed the recharter for the second Bank of the United States. It was vetoed because he believed that Congress lacked the authority to create it and like many westerners, he thought that it would favor the eastern manufacturing industries too strongly at the expense of common working people. Jackson then proceeded to withdraw about $1 million in federal funds and deposit them into various state banks. This created a large amount of land speculation inflation which Jackson sought to restore by issuing the Specie Circular. The Specie Circular required buyers of public land to pay in metallic money, gold or silver. Even though the order dried up credit and ended the land speculation, it eventually caused a crisis. The Bank War was an extremely negative action, due to all the stated problems that occurred following the veto of the recharter. These problems ultimately led to the panic of 1837, a huge financial crisis within the United States.

President Andrew Jackson’s election marked a new direction for American politics. He helped to create the new Democratic Party that has made such an impact in the United States history today. The party consisted of three main principles, which the supporters of this party stood by. It declared itself to be a party of ordinary farmers and common people, it opposed the privileges of those of a higher socio- economic class, and it supported the gift of western land to ordinary white Americans. President Jackson represented all these qualities as a President which influenced the party greatly. Jackson stood up for the common man throughout his two terms. By vetoing the second Bank of the United States, he showed his support by opposing privileges to the economically elite. Ultimately, by passing the Indian Removal Act of 1830, he showed his support for western expansion and offered land to more white Americans. For these reasons, Andrew Jackson represented the Democratic Party, which forever made an impact in our society and the history of our nation. He left a permanent mark upon American politics and the presidency. Within his eight years as president, he shaped his personal followers into the country’s most successful political party, a party whose organization and discipline would serve forever as a model for others. In a way, the Democratic Party was his child and also his legacy.

After both of Andrew Jackson’s terms as president, the country was immensely better off. He played an instrumental role all throughout his presidency. Although some call him an American Caesar, most praise him for his strength and audacity. To his admirers, he proudly stands as a shining symbol of American accomplishment. One major factor playing into this opinion was that he paid off the national debt while in office, which was somewhat remarkable. Given the circumstances that Jackson was under, his actions were always wisely thought out and with the best interest of the people in mind. As he himself put it, he summed up his terms in office by saying, “Americans are not a perfect people, but we are called to a perfect mission.” =__**Bibliography:**__= "American President: Andrew Jackson: Foreign Affairs." //Miller Center//. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2011. <[]>

"Andrew Jackson | The White House." //The White House//. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2011. <[]>

DeGregorio, William A., and Sandra Lee. //Stuart//. Fort Lee, New Jersey: Barricade Books Inc., 2009.

"Jacksonian Democracy and Modern America [ushistory.org]." //ushistory.org//. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2011. <[]>