During Andrew's campaign, he mainly appealed to the "planter elite" in the South. He promoted the idea that the common man was capable of uncommon achievements. He was said to have "Heart and Soul with the plain folk". However, he himself was a wealthy slave owner. So much for "common man".
But once Andrew Jackson was elected as the seventh President of the United States, that all changed. First, he implemented the spoils system, putting all of his avid supporters in office, most of which were rich, white State Politicians.
His Presidency was very successful in the beginning, being able to pay off a large portion of the national debt. However, this success was short lived due to the following economic downfall known as the Panic of 1837.
The contriversy began when he took action against the National Bank. He believed it had too much power, and favored Northern states above the South. This would be one of the two (the other being the Indian Removal Act, which drove Native Americans from the South) things that President Jackson did that made him appreciated by the "Common man".
After this, it seems that Jackson changed his mind completely about the south. He passed the "Tarriff of Abominations", as it was known in the South, which put a tax on imports in an
attempt to promote American industry. This severely hurt the South, causing angry Southerners to revolt and even attempt assassination. However, the "Tariff of 1828", as it was called in the North, caused American industry to boom and pleased the wealthy, northern, businessmen.
Although Andrew Jackson was a very successful President, he had several enemies and did not benefit the common man in any way. His legacy is mixed, seen as a protector of popular democracy, as well as individual liberty. That is why I consider President Andrew Jackson as "King Andrew: Champion of the Northern White Man".
I agree completely with you how exactly could he call himself "champion of the common man" when he himself was not a common man but was instead like you said a wealthy slave owner. Good job also pointing out facts and opinions of other people it helped support you opinion
ReplyDeleteI strongly agree with this. I like how you said he was king andrew: champion of the common man. I liked andrew jackson but also thought that many of his actions were contradicting like the indian removal act and the fact that he was a slave owner. That contradicted him being such a believer in "equality of all men". Good job Clifton :)
ReplyDeleteKids at school have been having a difficult time with the American History and the sequence of events govering their study. I created some concise flashcards,which I hope will make things easier for them. What is your opinion on this method?( and also on these flashcards)
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