Andrew Jackson Dbq Essay

A man of the people, a hero, and a fighter for his beliefs, Andrew Jackson is the emobidment of democracy itself. Although there is great debate in regards to Jackson's presidency, it would only be fair that due to his actions he should be uphead as one of America's greatest presidents.

Jackson had a very strong opposition to the Second National Bank of the United States and for that reason he vetoed the renewal of 1832. His reasons were both political and economic. On the political side he believed that "shareholders used the bank's control of much of the money supply to benefit themselves." (Bio p. 1) Because the bank gave loans to the public and other banks it could lead to excessive borrowing and in turn become a large debt. Jackson wanted to eliminiate the country's debt and the elimination of the bank would facilitate this goal for him. By destroying the balance instead of balancing it he was able to pass other.

South Carolina invoked Calhoun's doctirne of nullifaction, wihch allowed states to nullify any laws that it found unconstitutional, to not only demand a lower rate but also threaten to secede. Backed by other southern states SC would fight off any military action enforced by Jackson. The logic behind all this rucus was that the Tariff of 1832 "subsidized the northern manufacturors at the expense of the southern and western purchasers." (Bio p. 4) Jackon in response warned them in his Proclamation to the People of South Carolina that "Disunion by armed force is treason." (Bio p. 4) The problem was finally solved when two bills were passed through Congress. The first was to reduce the rates over a 10 year period and the second gave Jackson the right to use military power to enforce the laws if needed. Doing this set a precedent and strengthened the Union because it rejected South Carolina's claim that it possessed the authority to nullify federal