Jackson's Reign As President Andrew Jackson example essay topic

Andrew Jackson's Reign as President Andrew Jackson radically changed democracy in U.S. to what it is today. Although he was the first president to active role in the government doesn t mean he was an effective president. His actions and policies may have been successful short term, but his actions and his refusal on other issues had a ripple effect I history which can not be over looked. Andrew Jackson was not inadequate president, but he was an unsuccessful president in his actions and policies. Jackson changed democracy as was known at the time, he and his associates comprised what is notorious today as dirty politics. The masses were starting to come out to vote, and it was increasingly essential to win by any means necessary.

The spoils system was implemented under Jackson, which is a way to make sure you can have a greater control of the government. Jackson tried to replace civil service workers in the government with people under his control, in doing, removing possible opponents to his policies. This greatly increased the risk of possible failure in the government, by putting incompetent, illiterate, and unfit people in positions just because he is a supporter of Jackson. Under the change called Jacksonian Democracy, the way elections were, was transformed greatly. Elections became big, over 78% of population voted, and negative campaigning was initiated during his campaign, this is something, which unfortunately is still felt today.

This hurts the nation because they don t debate the issues and policies, but slander each other. The better official is not always elected under this; it's just who could dig up the most trash on the opponent. Andrew Jackson was not a failure. He tended not to deter away from problems; he addressed them and took them head on. Jackson confronting of the actions of South Carolina. They nullified a law passed by congress, and this was an unconstitutional act, a state has no power over federal laws.

Punishment was needed for the situation. A strong and forceful act was enforced. He made the people of South Carolina give in to a compromise, which diverted a possible serious situation. He did not though resolve the problem, there was still a serious boiling point between the north and the south.

The main issue that still remained was slavery, which he failed to confront. It would not have been wise to confront the issue, but he as the president must step forward and take on the challenge, and failed to do so and putting the country in jeopardy. Another crucial decision made by Jackson was the veto of the renewal of the 2nd U.S. bank. This was not just a decision based on the issues but on political and personal issues, which had nothing to do with the issues at hand. Jackson probably would not have vetoed the bill had it not been for his hatred of Henry Clay.

This moved money out of the hands of a central powerful bank, but into smaller ones which would loan most of the money out to commoners. This sounds like a good idea, but it is what led to the depression of 1837. The banks carelessly gave out the money to risky investors mostly those out west in Illinois, Indiana, etc, which led to lost money which would not have happened had the money been mostly in control by the 2nd U.S. bank. I think his pride and ego clouded his judgement on the issue and in turn led the country into an economic down fall. I think his stubborn, and sometimes-irrational ways, stems from his military background where if you are not his side you are the enemy. Andrew Jackson was a military man who took people head on, he lacked a sense of diplomacy and communication needed for him to be a truly effective president.

He accomplished a lot for the common man and his actions and policies were positive for the short term. What he lacked was an ability to foresee the future or he lacked concern for future events. He certainly attained and accomplished a lot in his time, he was the first president to utilize the office, but this is not enough to call him an effective president.