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Born: March 15, 1767 Died: June 8, 1845 Terms: (1829-1832) and (1833-1836) Vice President: John C. Calhoun and Martin Van Buren Party: Democratic Party//**
 * //Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson was a president that was set on accomplishing his goals, no matter the cost. Coming from the backwoods of Tennessee, he was a true "American" president that tried his best to be viewed as a people's president. As a president he made some very bold moves and for those moves he is jugded with mixed reviews. Personally I would grade President Jackson as a B. He reduced the national debt, he abolished the US Bank, and he strengthened the presidency of the United States.

President Jackson's major goals going into office were to eliminate the daunting US Bank, decrease the national debt and spur on geographic expansion. President Jackson viewed the US Bank as an institution that made the rich eastern investors richer. He also despised the Bank because it concentrated all of the United States' money in one place. To accomplish the goal of destroying the US Bank, President Jackson vetoed the Bank's charter in 1832 and withdrew funds from the Bank in 1833 and put the money into "pet" banks. He had successfully killed the US Bank. Another of President Jackson's goals was to reduce the national debt. By 1835 Jackson reduced the national debt to $33,733.05, the lowest it has ever been in the history of America. He managed to do this by using a variety of methods, including taxes, encouraging agricultural expansion, and many others. Clearly, President Jackson was very successful in reducing the debt and giving America financial freedom. Although other things were accomplished during President Jackson's terms in office, abolishing the US Bank was by far his loftiest and most important goal.He also succeeded in removing the Indians with the Indian Removal Act, and marched them westward on the "trail of tears", the mass moving of the natives from the southeast to the western plains. He did this in order to accomplish the goal of westward expansion. Overall, President Jackson may not have had many goals, but he accomplished the most important ones with flying colors.

Jackson had the majority of supporters in Congress, but the relationship was not a well oiled machine. Jackson vetoed more bills than all other previous presidents combined. He was also the first to implement the "pocket veto", which said that if a bill was not passed within ten days of Congress' adjournment, then it did not become law. His power in office grew as his presidency continued, taking power away from Congress. By taking power away, he did not make many friends in Congress. This led to a rocky relationship between the most powerful men in the country.

The most important thing that President Jackson did during his time in office was not a single political move, or one great speach, or even a memorable bill that he passed. Rather, it was by doing a combination of things that he increased the political power of the President of the United States. By vetoing a record twelve bills, President Jackson took a big step in giving the president more power. As mentioned previously, he was the first president to use the pocket veto, which gave the president a whole new tool to use in office and therefore increased the power of the presidency. Some viewed Jackson's new found power as exteme and unconstitutional, but without the power that Jackson gave the presidency, the office would not be the same today.

The one move that most affected future generations has to be the demolition of the US Bank. Without President Jackson abolishing the US Bank, the current US Treasury would not be around and the banking system would be totally different. This distinctive move was integral for future generations and their money. Although at the time the move was critizied by many people, today the move is heralded by many as a great economic move.

In conclusion, although he was a controversial president, Jackson improved the national debt situation, abolished the US Bank, and gave more power to the presidency. No matter how controversial his methods may have been, President Jackson helped the United States grow in size and economic standing. Therefore, President Jackson rightly deserves the grade of a B.

Sources: Cohen, Lizabeth, and Thomas A. Bailey David M. Kennedy. //The American Pageant, A History of the Republic (2002 12th Edition)//. 12th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2002. Print.

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