Andrew Jackson's Presidency: A Critical Analysis of Key Issues

This essay explores the controversial presidency of Andrew Jackson, examining whether his policies led to overall success or failure. It delves into key issues such as Jackson's financial policy and his fight against the National Bank, the Nullification Controversy and his harsh approach towards South Carolina, the implementation of the Indian Removal Act in 1830, and the crisis with France. The essay analyzes perspectives from Daniel Feller and The Hermitage website on Jackson's handling of these critical events. Ultimately, the essay concludes that Jackson's presidency was largely unsuccessful due to controversial policies and a lack of consideration for the well-being of the people. It draws parallels to contemporary global politics, highlighting the importance of responsible leadership and the potential consequences of controversial decisions.

Running head: HISTORY
History
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1HISTORY
This essay will look to discuss about the success of Presidency of Andrew Jackson in the
United States of America. He was succeeded in the Presidential chair by Martin Van Buren on
March 4 in 1829. He was also a soldier in his earlier years. He is regarded as one of the most
controversial presidents of United States. The key question for this essay is overall was the
presidency of Andrew Jackson successful or unsuccessful? He had adopted some very
controversial policies in his reign as the President of the country.1 Those policies and his
indelible mark in country’s history would be debated in this paper.
The first theme of discussion will be st forth on the background of financial policy fixed
by Andrew Jackson and his fight against the National Bank. This was one of the reforms that
took place during Jackson’s presidency between years of 1832 and 1836. This issue began when
a furious political struggle had set in regarding the chartering of National Bank once again. The
existence of National Bank was at stake. The final outcome of this furious struggle was the
extinction of the bank as other banks replaced it. Congress in the Senate wanted to reauthorize
this bank despite it was facing financial difficulties. Andrew Jackson applied his veto power and
stopped the action. According to Daniel Feller, this was one of the most destructive steps as this
made way the path for forming of National Whig and formation of Democratic parties. This step
of Jackson completely devastated the national banking system of USA. Hermitage has also
slammed Andrew Jackson over this issue and declared this was a complete misuse of Presidential
power by Jackson. It can be opined finally Andrew Jackson showed extreme ignorance while
applying his presidential power in this regard. Therefore, this decision of destroying banking
system of USA was a disastrous one.
1 Youtube.com. 2019. "Andrew Jackson Good Evil & The Presidency PBS Documentary 640X360 MP4". Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_0dY6ThjxE.

2HISTORY
In this section, the central theme of discussion is the Nullification Controversy. This was
mainly a sectional political crisis in United States that took place in 1832-33, some years after
Jackson became the president. A huge confrontation took place between Federal Government of
USA and province of South Carolina. South Carolina declared that Tariffs of 1828 and 1832
were completely against the constitution of the state and they nullified those tariffs within their
provincial boundaries.2 The existence of South Carolina was at stake since Federal Government
was given the authority to implement military forces against them in 1833 when Congress passed
the Force Bill in Senate. The Compromise Tariff was passed in 1833 as policies were much
satisfactory for South Carolina.3 Thus, Jackson handled this nullification crisis. Daniel Feller has
opined that the administrative factors were not been handled by Andrew Jackson in a good
manner since he behaved and approached his presidency in a controversial manner not having a
firm hold on his followers. Thus his opponents were able to form a Whig party in this manner.
Hermitage believed that this crisis was the opening phase of the civil war in United States.4
Finally, it can be said that harsh approach towards South Carolina and other southern states led
to a huge fury. This had resulted in civil war afterwards. Jackson could have dealt in softer ways
without applying military forces on South Carolina.
The next discussion theme is the implementation of Indian Removal Act in the year 1830
during the Presidential reign of Andrew Jackson. This act was a complete genocidal affair since
2 Americanyawp.com. 2019. "9. Democracy In America | THE AMERICAN YAWP". Americanyawp.Com.
http://www.americanyawp.com/text/09-democracy-in-america/.
3 Feller, Daniel. 2019. http://ap.gilderlehrman.org/essay/andrewjackson%27s-shifting-legacy.
4 Feller, Daniel. 2019. "Andrew Jackson: Impact And Legacy | Miller Center". Miller Center.
https://millercenter.org/president/jackson/impact-and-legacy.

3HISTORY
the ethnic group of Indians faced an immense level of discrimination. This act gave the authority
to President of USA to remove these ethic tribes to Federal territories.5 This had resulted in
deaths of hundreds of these five Native American people. These ethnic groups were Chickasaw,
Choctaw, Muscogee-Creek, Seminole and original Cherokee Nations. Daniel Feller exclaimed
that Andrew Jackson, the President got insane by taking this step since he wanted all ethic Indian
tribes to move west beyond the Mississippi river.6 It was completely a discriminatory practice
since he wanted all white natives of the country to live in peace. Hermitage too, has spoken
against the implementation of this policy. He was of the opinion that primary responsibility of
the President to take care of all his children like a father.7 Here, it can be stated that both the
critics were true since a President of a country simply could not take out all tribes out of their
position to a new place. If he does so, it is his responsibility to arrange for all the care for them.8
The fourth topic for discussion in this essay is about crisis with France during the reign
of Andrew Jackson. The situational relationship with France went to a certain point that both
countries were almost getting ready for a war against each other. The treaty took place in the
year 1831 when France had to agree to pay for plundered money by Napoleon.9 France was not
5 Thehermitage.com. 2019. "Presidency | Andrew Jackson's Time In Office As President". The Hermitage.
https://thehermitage.com/learn/andrew-jackson/president/presidency/.
6 Feller, Daniel. 2008. "King Andrew And The Bank". National Endowment For The Humanities (NEH).
https://www.neh.gov/humanities/2008/januaryfebruary/feature/king-andrew-and-the-bank.
7 Feller, Daniel. 2019. https://millercenter.org/president/jackson/foreignaffairs.
8 Feller, Daniel. 2019. "Andrew Jackson: Domestic Affairs | Miller Center". Miller Center.
https://millercenter.org/president/jackson/domestic-affairs.
9 Americanyawp.com. 2019. "The American Yawp Reader". Http://Www.Americanyawp.Com.
http://www.americanyawp.com/reader/democracy-in-america/andrew-jacksons-veto-messageagainst-re-chartering-
the-bank-of-the-united-states-1832/.

4HISTORY
ready to pay the money and later Andrew Jackson asked the Congress to pass on proper
legislation so reprisals could be done. In this scenario, France felt insulted and the relationship
got bitter. Finally, United Kingdom interfered and urged France to pay off the debt without any
military actions. Finally, the situation sorted out when France paid the money. Daniel Feller has
highlighted the fact agents of Jackson had negotiated this deal in a formidable way and claimed
the money from France. The situation was lightened through an apology from France to Jackson.
Hermitage clarifies this position further by supporting this step of Jackson. Finally, this issue
sorted out since Jackson got this moral victory.
It can be concluded that Jackson’s presidency was more of a unsuccessful one since three
of his policies were against the well-being of people. A president like Jackson should have stood
firm to his duties and responsibilities of such an influential country. These readings are still
relevant since global politics is full of controversies today as well. The readings changed the way
of understanding Jackson’s presidency by looking at it from different angles. A current issue like
use of nuclear weapons can be handled by ways of Jackson in a strict manner. He was a true
leader having a hold on his presidency. However, some of his steps and policies were
controversial. Other powerful countries should not be left to use their powerful nuclear weapons
indeed as it will jeopardize lives of common people.

5HISTORY
Reference List
Youtube.com. 2019. "Andrew Jackson Good Evil & The Presidency PBS Documentary
640X360 MP4". Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_0dY6ThjxE.
Americanyawp.com. 2019. "9. Democracy In America | THE AMERICAN YAWP".
Americanyawp.Com. http://www.americanyawp.com/text/09-democracy-in-america/.
Feller, Daniel. 2008. "King Andrew And The Bank". National Endowment For The Humanities
(NEH). https://www.neh.gov/humanities/2008/januaryfebruary/feature/king-andrew-and-the-
bank.
Americanyawp.com. 2019. "The American Yawp Reader". Http://Www.Americanyawp.Com.
http://www.americanyawp.com/reader/democracy-in-america/andrew-jacksons-veto-
messageagainst-re-chartering-the-bank-of-the-united-states-1832/.
Feller, Daniel. 2019. "Andrew Jackson: Domestic Affairs | Miller Center". Miller Center.
https://millercenter.org/president/jackson/domestic-affairs.
Feller, Daniel. 2019. https://millercenter.org/president/jackson/foreignaffairs.
Thehermitage.com. 2019. "Presidency | Andrew Jackson's Time In Office As President". The
Hermitage. https://thehermitage.com/learn/andrew-jackson/president/presidency/.
Feller, Daniel. 2019. "Andrew Jackson: Impact And Legacy | Miller Center". Miller Center.
https://millercenter.org/president/jackson/impact-and-legacy.
Feller, Daniel. 2019. http://ap.gilderlehrman.org/essay/andrewjackson%27s-shifting-legacy