Andrew_Jackson-_the_Common_Man

Someone who is for the common man brings forth a sense of confidence for the middle and lower classes. Everyone seems to like this person except for those in the upper class. Andrew Jackson was a president that believed the government was powered by the common man. He supported the common man in the way he grew up, economically, by removing the Indians, and he believed in the power of the people. Andrew Jackson was a man who came from where no president had ever come from before. The backwoods of South Carolina proved to be a much harder childhood than six previous presidents. He taught himself to read and write and later became a lawyer. He had to work from absolutely nothing to become what he was and that gave him the idea that he should give more people like him opportunities. At a young age he joined the military and began to experience what would soon become a successful military career. Being a war hero made him a favorite of many Americans and was a huge reason why he was elected. Another big reason he was elected was because of non land owners becoming able to vote. This gave him an edge and started the era of the common man(Era of the common man). One of the the first things that gave Jackson the common president name was his take on slavery. He was a man that owned a few slaves and it was popular among the common man. However, he believed they should be treated in a favorable manor. Slavery would benefit the common man and gave the south an identity (Andrew Jackson- slavery). Among all things in a country, the economy is a president’s number one concern. Andrew Jackson was all for the common man when it came to money. First, he was the only president ever to eliminate a national debt (Andrew Jackson). Second, He felt that the national bank had too much power and only helped those who were in the upper class. This angered him because if it did not help his people then why should it help anyone. He favored the bill because it would benefit him more because the westerners would be happy and vote in his favor (Mrs. Michaels notes 3). He vetoed the re-charter of the bank soon after. This really put the monopoly out of order (Era of the Common Man). He also opposed government spending which he thought favored the rich. Another thing he did was favor farmers since he used to be one. They could only use coins and paper for purchases instead of having credit because farmers could not do anything with credit and hard money made the bank weaker.(Era of the Common Man). He passed a tariff to support American industry. This helped the common men of the north and middle states because it gave them cotton to manufacture all the time , but not the southern states because they had to sell to the north. Common people also benefitted through the spoils system. Supporters who would not normally be given a political office found themselves in a much better position than if they had not supported Jackson (Mrs. Michael’s Notes 2). The second way he was a president of the common man was the removal of Indians. The name of the act was the Indian removal act. It removed the Indians from the east states and placed them in Oklahoma. There were so many opportunities where the Indians had been living that common men could capitalize on.. Another thing was wanting to expand west. The Indians were just a road block from this happening. Also conflict with the Indians continued. Britain hired them to attack Americans and they often sided with them in war. This occurred mainly with the Cherokee. Finally, they forced them to the trail of tears ending the conflict. America was now wide open for expansion and had nothing in its way. There was now enough land in America that the common man could afford to purchase. Americans were happy and that made Jackson, at the time, a hero (Andrew Jackson). It is obvious that Jackson believed the government was powered by the people. His nationalistic views benefitted the common man in several ways. He gave the working class a chance and benefitted them instead of benefitting those already wealthy. The first attempt in the presidential race left him behind because of the corrupt government at the time. People were disgusted by that and felt that he deserved to be president (Strengthening of American Nationalism). The next election he won over Adams. The people were glad to see him in office after being denied the first time. He was becoming a national icon that was either loved or hated (Mrs. Michael’s note2). Andrew Jackson was for the common man in many ways. He gave the common man a shot at supremacy in America. Whether he made a good decision or bad it influenced American history, such as the Indian removal. He was hated by the rich and He was also loved by many and knew exactly what the common man was going through. In all word Jackson made America what it is today.