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

2. 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)

3. 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