Hero Or Zero?
Andrew Jackson: Volume 7
Welcome Back to Hero or Zero!
Welcome back to the online editorial, Hero Or Zero! In today's edition, we will be discussing Andrew Jackson, out seventh president. Known as the "Common-Man President," Jackson was the typical American rags-to-riches story. He was a little boy on the frontier who turned into a high-class American president. Included is a clip of the type of music Andrew Jackson played at his inauguration.
Tony Rice (The Bluegrass Guitar Collection) - Full Album
The Nullification Crisis
In 1832, Congress passed a tariff, known as the Tariff of 1832, or, as the South liked to call it, the Tariff of Abomination. This tariff was very high and helped the North, who's main industry was manufacturing, but hurt the South, who's main industry was agriculture. The Southerners depended on their imports from Europe, but because of the "Tariff of Abomination," the costs were higher than they were used to. South Carolina saw this tariff as an unjust act of government, and attempted to nullify it. In response to their Nullification Act, Congress quickly passed the Force Bill, which enabled Jackson to enforce the Tariff by using the U.S. Army on South Carolina. South Carolina threatened the government to secede if they interfere with their Nullification Act. Eventually, Henry Clay, "The Compromiser," writes the 1833 Compromise Tariff, which lowers the original value of the Tariff of 1832 to an agreeable amount between the North and South.
Death of the National Bank
Andrew Jackson felt that the National Bank favored only the wealthy and not ordinary Americans. He felt as if ordinary people had no say in the National Bank's actions. In 1832, when the National Bank's charter bill passed through Congress, it was signed, and then went to Jackson, who decided to veto it. Even though the bank had another year on its previous charter, Jackson didn't want to wait to close the bank, and shut it down.
Indian Removal Act
Cherokee Indians were known to live in the southeast region of the United States - mostly Georgia. Their land was rich with gold and great for growing cotton. Jackson saw the advantages of the Cherokee land and wanted it for the United States, so he sought to get rid of the Cherokees. Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act, which allowed the U.S. Government to "exchange" the Indian land with less desirable land west of the Mississippi. At first, Cherokees refused to comply, and sued the government. In the end, the Cherokees won their lawsuit, but Jackson ignored the Supreme Court ruling, and continued to execute the Indian Removal Act. Jackson promised the Indians with help re-establishing their colony in Oklahoma when they moved out. Cherokees were given one year to pack up and start leaving. But one morning, the Army came and led all the Cherokees out of their land. Many Cherokees lost their lives on the trek to Oklahoma. When the remaining Cherokees reached Oklahoma, the promises made for medical care, food, help, and shelter were denied. Their trail across the states to Oklahoma is known as the Trail of Tears.
Hero Or Zero?
This cartoon depicts Jackson trampling over the Constitution after vetoing the National Bank's Charter Bill. The cartoon accuses Jackson of being a tyrannical king-like leader and abusing his presidential powers.
It's Time To Vote!
Now you know a little something about President 7, Andrew Jackson. Below is a survey where you can vote if Jackson was a Hero or a Zero. Don't forget to subscribe and comment!
Comments:
CharlieCherokee349: Jackson is a total lunkhead! He should have let us Cherokees be! We tried developing into the American culture by going to their schools, their churches, and eating their foods! We even filed a lawsuit! Jackson shouldn't have signed the Indian Removal Act because he was greedy and wanted our rich lands. He called himself the "Common-Man President," well us Cherokees are as common as the immigrants who now live here! Many of my people died on the Trail of Tears. We were promised food, shelter and help getting back on our feet! Jackson is an dishonest person. I wish he had never even been president! >:(
Tina.in.Textiles<3: I work in a textile factory in Connecticut, and those tariffs in 1828 and 1832 REALLY help our factory! I've been with the factory since 1812 and I haven't had this good of a salary since, well, EVER! South Carolina was stupid to go out and try to nullify the Tariff of 1832, just because it hurts their wallets! I don't care what the Southerners say! Andrew Jackson is the best president we have ever had!
Sergeant12Sean: I love this editorial! Thank you for finally putting up one about Andrew Jackson! He's my old pal from the Battle of New Orleans! He is a great person and deserves real respect! His actions have helped us so much and his closing down the National Bank is genius! He is totally right, the bank doesn't pay enough attention to us ordinaries! Bury the Bank deep!
PlantationPete: I have this big sprawlin' manor in the South and Jackson's just goin' 'round signin' tariffs on imports left 'n right! Every penny I make from my good ol' cotton, goes down the drain buyin' things I need from them European ships on the harbour! Us southerners are payin' more than we oughta for everyday stuff! And them Northerners get it easy cashin' in checks of our money! I sure wish that South Carolina followed through with that threat of theirs and seceded from this "Union."