Chapter 9 Essay Although President Jackson was a champion of democracy and egalitarianism, there are some instances where he takes advantage of his presidential powers and uses him for his own benefits and beliefs and not for the good of the country. President Jackson did a lot of good for the early Democratic Party though. He helped expand voting and focused on destroying monopolies like the national bank that he believed were harming the nation. He did however take manners into his own hands at times.
For instance disregarding Supreme Court rulings. Enacting Military action on a state and Vetoing bills like the Maysville road that wouldVe helped the union, but since he didn’t approve he vetoed it. President Jackson did a fantastic Job of expanding democracy. In his presidency he expanded the amount of voters from 27% in the election of 1824 to 58% in 1828 and by 1840 80% of adult white males were voting. Jackson thoroughly believed in “equal protection and equal benefits”, and that is the form of government he wanted.
During Jackson’s administration he believed in taking owers away from the rich and giving the common man more of it. In the Picture “Jackson Tramples on the Constitution” he is depicted as a monarchial king who tramples on the constitution and is called King Andrew the First. (Document A). This is because the opposing political party the Whigs wanted to keep power in the hand of the rich to create a more stable form of government and by Jackson vetoing the bill they thought he was abusing his Presidential Powers.
Furthermore there were some instances where Jackson did abuse his political powers by blatantly disregarding the Constitution. In the case Worcester vs. Georgia. Cherokee Indians fought for their right to control their land which was roughly h the size of Georgia. “We have a perfect and original right to remain in our lands without interruption or molestation. ” (Document B) Georgia fought to have them removed saying that they were uncivilized and couldn’t assimilate into American culture, and that they made a contract with tribe leaders.
In the case the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Worcester and the Cherokees. John Marshall said “The Cherokee Indians have an unquestionable right to their territory until title should be extinguished by voluntary cession to the United States” (Document B). Jackson disregarded this ruling and had the Indian Removal Act of 1830 put in place where he forced the Indians west of the Mississippi River along what is now known as “The Trail of Tears”. Furthermore although Jackson had his flaws he was still a great promoter of democracy and preserved the Union.
In 1828 when the “Tariff of Abomination” was put into place the eople of South Carolina felt the tariffs were too high and would destroy their businesses. In response to this tariff The South Carolina Exposition and Protest was written. (Document E). This document said that Tariff acts are unconstitutional and that the State of South Carolina would consider them nullified and not obey them. Jackson’s response to this was the Force Act which gave the President a right to use any means necessary to get people to obey the constitution. Although this didn’t solve the crisis it showed Jackson wanted to preserve the union over all else.
The reduced over 10 years to the old 1816 tariffs which was considered more moderate. In conclusion Jackson was an excellent President who was a champion of democracy and egalitarianism. He expanded political power to the common man and fought against a corporate monopoly which he felt was destroying the Union, the National Bank. Jackson did have his faults though he would override rulings and do what he saw fit. He would veto many bills despite what was right. Jackson had his issues but he was one of the greatest expanders of Democracy in our history.