OPPapers.com

The Presidency Of Andrew Jackson

The Presidency of Andrew Jackson

In this paper I'll go over his presidency, focusing on both the highs and the lows of his two terms in office, from 1829-1837. The issues that I'll focus on are states' rights, the tariff, the spoils system, Indian removal and banking policies; these controversies brought forth strong rivalry over his years of president. He was known for his iron will and severe personality, and strong use of the powers of his office that made his years of presidency to be known as the "Age of Jackson."
Jackson served as delegate to Tennessee in the 1796 Constitutional convention and a congressman for a year (from 1796-97). He was elected senator in 1797, but financial problems forced him to resign and return to Tennessee in less than a year. Later he served as a
Tennessee superior court judge for six years starting in 1798. In 1804
he retired from the bench and moved to Nashville and devoted time to
business ventures and his plantation.
In 1814 Jackson was a Major General in the Tennessee Militia,
here he was ordered to march against the Creek Indians, who were
pro-British in the war of 1812. Eventually he forced all Indians out of the area. His victory's impressed some people in Washington and Jackson was put in command of the defense of New Orleans. This show of American
strength made Americans feel proud after a war filled with military
defeats. Jackson was given the nickname "Old Hickory", and was treated
as a national hero.
In 1822 the Tennessee Legislature nominated him for president
and the following year he was elected the U.S. senate. He also nearly
won the presidential campaign of 1824. However as a result of the
"corrupt bargain" with Henry Clay, he ended up losing. In 1828 Andrew
Jackson became the seventh President to the United States.
Instead of the normal cabinet made up by the president, he
relied more on an informal group of newspaper writers and northern...