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Jackson Assessed

With what president did democracy finally rise up and take its true shape? If the opinion of the ordinary American was a puddle before Andrew Jackson came into office, then by the end of his term it was a full-fledged ocean. President Andrew Jackson was the seventh president of the United States, but the first elected who was truly an American. Born and raised by the common people, he truly was the epitome of democracy. He exemplified the people's needs, and always put them first. Like the standard American, he also was steadfast in his beliefs and forever stood by his friends. All in all, Jackson was a trustworthy symbol of democracy with typical human failings similar to that of the common American man.

President Jackson's veto of the re-charter of the Bank of the United States shows his sincere representation of the common people. To set the stage, the election of 1832 was just around the corner and Clay was scheming again to become president. Jackson, who was running for his second term, opposed him. Clay thought he had a sure fire plan to ensure his own presidency by forcing Jackson to either sign or veto a new bill to re-charter the US Bank. This would either cause the wealthy eastern landowners or the west to turn against him in the election. Jackson was against the bank from the start because he felt that it was a monopoly that only benefited wealthy landowners. He was correct in his opinion, because common Americans could not get loans from the US Bank nor use it for any purpose. Ordinary Americans would receive no benefit from the bank, but actually lose money from having to pay the tax on the re-charter and upkeep. Only about 200 Americans of the rich class held stock in it representing three fourths of the stocks holders. Foreigners held the other one forth. This was a disadvantage because if war was to break out between the US and countries that held our foreign stock, then one fourth of the United States' money would be gone. Jackson, being the...