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 Andrew Jackson March 15, 1767 – June 8, 1845 Presidential Terms: March 4, 1829 – March 4, 1837 Vice Presidents: John C. Calhoun (1829–1832), Martin Van Buren (1833–1837) Democratic Republican

Andrew Jackson lead one of the worst and constitutionally corrupt administrations of American history. Jackson, truely a stern military figure, was not cut out for politics and often made important executive decisions based on opinion. He enforced things such as the Indian Removal Act, killing of the National Bank and questionable tariff of Abominations; each of which either violated state rights or personal rights garenteed by the constitution. For these reasons I give Andrew Jackson a D for his overall Presidency.

Andrew Jackson didn't really have any goals or platforms that he strongly supported throughout his Presidency besides keeping America intact and taking care of indian territorial disputes. Jackson was elected under the banner of being a "People's President" due to his humble begining and lack of education. His western backround and military heroics made him extremely apealing to the average citizen. Thanks to this Old Hickery gained the popular vote without much political campaigning. However he was tested when the Nullification Crisis arose. Naturally the general responded with military threat against South Carolina, which was yet another huge over step of executive power and only increased regional tension in the US.  Jackson's misplaced pasion, stubbornness and fervor made him many enemies in the political world, including his Democratic Republican congress. The presidency could be accurately described as a Monarchy. Jackson's Administration enforced many unconstitutional actions such as vetoing the Maysville Road Bill. Jackson did this strictly for the reason of keeping Virginia from gaining federal funding despite being a big advocate for internal improvement. Jackson further spited the south with the Tariff of 1828, but more widly known in the Southern States as the Tariff of Abominations. Also Jackson had the nasty habit of ignoring fellow political branches when they questioned his actions including Congress and the Supreme Court. An example of this would be his vetoing of Henry Clay and Daniel Webster's envision of the National Bank which was quickly veoted by Jackson, again based of opinon. Suprisingly despite all of these clashes he still managed to push through Congress most bill's he intended to pass.

The most beneficial actions as President took place during the Nulification Crisis. Outcry from the south following the Tariff of Abominations lead to an attempted easing of the regulations. However South Carolina was not satisfied and passed the Ordinance of Nullification. At this point many South Carolina natives were seriously threatening to suceed from th Union, however Jackson responded with the threat of invasion and execution for any involved in a sucession. This threat was ultimatly made llegaly possible by the passing of the Force Bill. In the end Jackson effectivly held the counrty together during a crucial and tense time however it is a great example of Jackson's mentallity toward opossing viewpoints.

The lowest point of Jackson's Presidency, and possibly of the whole history of the United States, is certainly his treatment of Native American's through the Indian Removal Act. Enacted only for the reason of giving white settlers more land, the bill displaced over 15,000 indians from Georgia and the South. The government made grand promises of land on the western frontier but the process of this dispora ultimatly killed over 4,000 people. However this bill did set a standerd of treatment of Native Americans which was mirrored again and again as America moved West. The entire ordeal is now known as the Trail of Tears due to, not only its physical, but its huge cultural reprecussions on the Native American people for generations. The culture of the Indian ribes which were involved never turely recovered and was not transplanted along with their homes. For this reason the Trail of Tears is also the Jacksonian action that had the biggest impact on the future.

Andrew Jackson was a near tyrannical leader whom did not care about the basic political structure and basis of the idea of America. His presidency can be described as nothing more than hypocritical and is certainly dark moment in American History. Even his good actions, the Nullification Crisis, overstepped political boundries and hightend tensions in America. In my opinion Andrew Jackson deserves a D rating for his Presidency.