Jacksonian Era
Jacksonian era
Few time periods were as critical to the course of American history as the Jacksonian Era. In the 1820’s Jacksonian Democrats rose to power by promising to protect states’ rights and ensure economic equality for all. In order to abide by what he had promised the people, Jackson made the following changes in hope that he would be able to live up to what he had preached. Jackson created the “spoil system,” altered the relationship with Native American tribes and dismantled the National Bank. Though the Jacksonian Democrats believed they were the guardians of the United States Constitution, political democracy, individual liberty, and economic opportunity, their actions disproved their beliefs. They violated the Constitution by removing Native Americans from their land, were not responsible for increases in voting rights, stripped many of their rights and made unwise economic decisions.
Only to a certain extent were the Jacksonian Democrats truly guardians of the United States Constitution. In 1830, Jackson persuaded Congress to agree upon the Indian Removal Act. In order to regain their land, Native Americans challenged Jackson in two cases known as Worcester v. Georgia and Cherokee Nation v. Georgia. The Supreme Court sided with the Native Americans concluding that Jackson would return the Natives’ land. However Jacksons refused to return the land and stated that, “Justice Marshall has made his ruling now let him enforce it” (Document G). Because of his defiance against the Supreme Court, Jackson got the title “King Andrew.” Clearly, Jackson overstepped his power because of his defiance against the Supreme Court, he was demonstrating power of both judicial and executive branch of government, which violates checks and balances. This not only violates checks and balances but it also threatens the Native Americans inequality as well. However that wasn’t the only time Jackson abused his power, during his presidency, Jackson vetoed 12 bills whereas
Few time periods were as critical to the course of American history as the Jacksonian Era. In the 1820’s Jacksonian Democrats rose to power by promising to protect states’ rights and ensure economic equality for all. In order to abide by what he had promised the people, Jackson made the following changes in hope that he would be able to live up to what he had preached. Jackson created the “spoil system,” altered the relationship with Native American tribes and dismantled the National Bank. Though the Jacksonian Democrats believed they were the guardians of the United States Constitution, political democracy, individual liberty, and economic opportunity, their actions disproved their beliefs. They violated the Constitution by removing Native Americans from their land, were not responsible for increases in voting rights, stripped many of their rights and made unwise economic decisions.
Only to a certain extent were the Jacksonian Democrats truly guardians of the United States Constitution. In 1830, Jackson persuaded Congress to agree upon the Indian Removal Act. In order to regain their land, Native Americans challenged Jackson in two cases known as Worcester v. Georgia and Cherokee Nation v. Georgia. The Supreme Court sided with the Native Americans concluding that Jackson would return the Natives’ land. However Jacksons refused to return the land and stated that, “Justice Marshall has made his ruling now let him enforce it” (Document G). Because of his defiance against the Supreme Court, Jackson got the title “King Andrew.” Clearly, Jackson overstepped his power because of his defiance against the Supreme Court, he was demonstrating power of both judicial and executive branch of government, which violates checks and balances. This not only violates checks and balances but it also threatens the Native Americans inequality as well. However that wasn’t the only time Jackson abused his power, during his presidency, Jackson vetoed 12 bills whereas