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 * Andrew Jackson

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March 15, 1767-June 8, 1845 Political Party: Democrat Years of terms: 1829-1833;1833-1837 Vice Presidents: John Calhoun; Martin Van Buren

"There are no necessary evils in government. Its evils exist only in its abuses." These words were said by the 7th president, Andrew Jackson. Jackson knew more about this topic than any other president at this time. Throughout his presidency, Jackson abused his power several times with the support of the Spoils System and the Indian Removal Act. Jackson's only positive contribution was perhaps his closing of the national bank, yet his negatives still out weighed his positives. For these reasons, he deserves an overall grade of a "C."

Jackson's main goals were to continue the expansion of the United States in to the West, to remove the government from the national bank, and to support farmers. All of these goals were easily accomplished by the end of his two terms, especially the support of farmers. Expanding in to the West was the first goal to be eliminated. Thanks to the infamous Indian Removal Act and the "Trail of Tears," America stole twenty-give million acres of land to support farmers and slavery. Next on Jackson's list was the national bank. When the new bank charter was sent to him, he declared it unconstitutional and vetoed its charter; thus, eliminating the national bank and favoring to the farmers.

The relationship between Jackson and Congress can best be described as a rocky one. Congress quickly became tired of Jackson's indecisiveness and the veto of his many, many bills. The biggest problem arose between them when Congress passed the recharter of the bank, yet Jackson killed it. Jackson over stepped his power as president because his other vetoes were "acceptable" since they questioned constitutionality, but Jackson vetoed the bank charter simply because he felt it was harmful. The "Spoils System" also disrupted congress. Through this system, Jackson favored to Southern Planters and Western frontiersman. Scandal occurred because Jackson could basically put anyone, whether they were qualified or not, in to a position of public trust. Many cabinet members did not support this, and so, to put it nicely, Jackson shuffled his cabinet members. It is shocking that he had so many problems with congress considering the fact that during his first term they were in favor of his party.

The best, and possibly the only, really positive outcome of Jackson's presidency was the end of national debt. Jackson felt the Bank of the United States favored to the upper class and was monopolistic, almost acting like another branch of government. He did not trust the bank and was more in favor for "pet banks." He was completely against the Bank of the United States and even stated "The bank... is trying to kill me, but I will kill it." And kill it he did. Thanks to Henry Clay the national bank charter was pushed four years early. Clay's original plan was to make it a loose-loose situation for Jackson by having him either veto or pass the charter. Congress passed the renewed charter but Jackson vetoed it. In the end, Jackson actually gained more support because the farmer's and unwealthy supported the veto. Jackson's idea was to invest in several "pet banks" and so to ensure the burying of the national bank, he removed federal deposits from the national bank and placed them in the "pet banks." Once the money was placed into separate banks, it seemed the end of the Bank of the United States worked out well. Unfortunately, by 1837 the country was entering a financial crisis, but Jackson was already out of office leaving Van Buren to pick up the country. Although it ended badly, during Jackson's presidency it was a positive.

Jackson's presidency seemed to be more negative than positive. His two worst outcomes were his support of the Spoils system and the Indian Removal Act. The spoils system caused problems among congress and gave an unfair advantage to those who knew the "right people in the right place." The Indian Removal Act was passed through congress and Jackson in order to expand into the west. America did this through the "Trail of Tears." The Indians were forced off their land to travel even farther west so that American citizens could take over their land. Through manipulation and threats, America essentially stole 25 million acres of land and displaced over 100,000 Natives. It is considered one of the saddest times in U.S. history and confirmed conflicts with the Native Americans.

The decisions Jackson made while in office have had an influence over the country. The two-party system was established, and while the Whigs are no longer around the Democrats are still one of the largest parties today. Most impacted by Jackson was his vice-president, and the following president, Martin Van Buren. Van Buren was left to take on the burden of all of Jackson's mistakes- mainly the financial crisis after the fall of the U.S. Bank. He was left to pick up the pieces and try to restore order in the country.

While Jackson was not the best president, he was still not the worse. During his presidency he did have a short-term victory by ending the national bank; however, his decisions relating to the Trail of Tears and the Spoils system rightfully assure him a final grade of a "D." Even though he did care for the country Jackson abused power and his negatives outweighed his positives.


 * Bibliography**

"Andrew Jackson |." //The White House//. Web. 12 Mar. 2010. . "Andrew Jackson." //State Library of North Carolina//. Web. 11 Mar. 2010. . "Indian Removal." //PBS//. Web. 11 Mar. 2010. . //The Papers of Andrew Jackson//. Web. 12 Mar. 2010. .