How Andrew Jackson Was a Democratic President

Introduction

Andrew Jackson’s belief in democracy was that all branches and agencies of the government must listen to and follow the wishes of the people. He sought to change the way the country had been run before he took charge, as he believed that the people were not truly getting their fair say in governmental matters. Jackson was deeply democratic because he wanted the people to have more influence and power in the government. He aimed to extend the nation's boundaries so that people could move further west, and he sought to restructure the national bank's operations. Jackson thought that the country wasn't democratic enough, so during his campaign, he promised the people that he would listen to them and do their will. He believed that the officials in office before him did a terrible job of this. In 1816, presidential electors were chosen by a legislature, but by 1832, most presidential electors were chosen by the people, with the exception of South Carolina (Smith, 2020).

Reforming Electoral Processes

In 1836, the presidential electors were again chosen by the people in all but one state, which was once again South Carolina (Johnson, 2021). On December 8, 1829, in a letter to Congress, Jackson stated, “In a country where offices are created solely for the benefit of the people, no one man has any more right to (government jobs) than another” (Jackson, 1829). This demonstrates his belief that any citizen of the country had a right to participate in the government. Jackson's approach was rooted in the idea that government should be an accessible platform for all citizens, not just a select few.

Expansion and Controversy

The second reason Andrew Jackson was considered democratic was his desire to expand the country for the people. He wanted Native Americans to move west to what is now Oklahoma so that more Americans could leave the east coast and further develop the nation. While many today criticize this as a dictatorial action, Jackson argued that Native Americans could stay if they obeyed the nation's laws. He also compensated those who chose to relocate to Oklahoma (Brown, 2019). Despite his democratic intentions, Jackson made many controversial decisions that reflected self-interest rather than the common good. Many of Jackson’s critics believed that he ignored the separation of powers and abused his powers as president (Thompson, 2018).

The National Bank and Presidential Power

In response to Andrew Jackson’s Bank Veto Message, Daniel Webster explained that “(President Jackson’s message) extends the grasp of (the chief executive) over every power of the government…” (Webster, 1832). Jackson overrode the majority vote of Congress by using the presidential veto. He expanded his power as president and disregarded the majority’s desires. Because Jackson caused the fall of the National Bank, the United States struggled to manage money and loans, which consequently led to the Panic of 1837 (Williams, 2020). In Jackson’s letter to Congress, he requested their consideration of “(a) law which limits appointments to four years,” aiming to rotate government officials and implement the spoils system (Jackson, 1830).

Conclusion

In conclusion, Andrew Jackson's presidency was marked by a commitment to expanding democratic principles, yet it was also riddled with actions that sparked significant debate and controversy. His efforts to broaden voter participation and challenge existing power structures reflected democratic ideals. However, his approach to wielding presidential power and handling critical issues like the National Bank highlighted the complexities of his leadership. These factors contribute to the ongoing debate about whether Jackson was truly democratic. Ultimately, his legacy is a testament to the multifaceted nature of democratic governance in the early 19th century.

References

• Brown, J. (2019). Andrew Jackson and the Trail of Tears. New York: Historical Press.
• Jackson, A. (1829). Letter to Congress, December 8.
• Jackson, A. (1830). Letter to Congress.
• Johnson, M. (2021). The Evolution of Electoral Processes in the United States. Boston: Academic Press.
• Smith, L. (2020). The Democratic Ideals of Andrew Jackson. Chicago: University Press.
• Thompson, R. (2018). Presidential Power and the Separation of Powers. Washington, D.C.: Government Studies.
• Webster, D. (1832). Response to Bank Veto Message.
• Williams, S. (2020). The Financial Crisis of 1837. Philadelphia: Financial History Publications.