Let the People Rule Nullification Crisis Andrew Jackson: ‘Man of the People’? Bank War Role Model Treatment of Native Americans

Reasons for Jackson Being a Man of the People Role Model: Self Made Man (inspired others) Early Life (poor & orphaned) to Wealth (lawyer/real estate) & Fame (War Hero/President) Strong, Tough, & Determined Let the People Rule Founded the Democratic Party Expansion of Voting Rights Spoils System: Gave ordinary Americans government jobs The Kitchen Cabinet: Kept Jackson informed of the nation’s mood The Bank War Sought to make it easier for ordinary Americans to borrow $ Believed the Bank of US was undemocratic: only helped the rich Believed the Bank was unconstitutional: only states could charter banks Supported by most Americans: Reelected The Nullification Crisis Opposes States’ Rights to ban the tariff Showed that the U.S. is a nation of people not a collection of states Prevented a Civil War with his strong stance (Force Bill)

Reasons Against Jackson Being A Man of the People Weakens the National (Federal) Government He put many who were unqualified in positions of power (spoils system) Government didn’t work properly & he needed the Kitchen Cabinet for Help Acted like a King/Dictator in many cases (made decisions by himself) The Bank War Let a personal grudge with Biddle cloud his judgment Ignores the Supreme Court again (King Like) The closure of the Bank caused an economic depression (Panic of 1837) Mistreated Native Americans, Women, & African Americans Doesn’t enforce Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of the Cherokee (King Like & impeachable) Supports States’ Rights in this case (hypocritical) compared to Nullification Crisis Supports the Indian Removal Act Causes the Trail of Tears & the Seminole War All were discriminated against & denied Civil Rights such as the right to vote Jackson personally owned over 100 slaves Some Americans (Abolitionists as well as JQA) tried to win rights for minorities