For The Masses Or Himself?

President Jackson had a lot of controversy surrounding his position in office. Some people loved him while others could not stand him. This is how he developed two nicknames throughout his presidency; “The people’s president” and “King Andrew”. Some referred to him as the People’s President for a number of reasons. He was the first President to actually start out as someone who has experienced the middle class. Being born in the woods in the Carolinas he was raised up a humble man. He later enrolled in the army serving in both in the American Revolution and The War of 1812; where he was captured as a prisoner of war. Jackson then became a representative for Tennessee in Congress. People used all this background information to touch upon that he would be a good President and know how to make decisions in favor of the people rather than the rich. Which, in some ways he did attest to, like by vetoing the Second Bank’s charter. The Second Bank was a company funded by Congress that was not actually owned by the government that dealt with the debt of America’s wars. Jackson thought that Congress should not be able to erect a private company to deal with the country’s money. Congress felt like this was a foolish move on Jackson’s part; they were wrong. The people were thrilled by this; it gave power back to the smaller banks and small businesses. Which was a key factor to Jackson’s successful reelection. These are some reasons as to why President Jackson was referred to as “The Peoples President”.  

Jackson was also called “King Andrew” because of his tyrannical tendencies throughout his terms. He first exhibited this behavior when he was first welcomed into office and started what is known as the Spoils System. Where Jackson fired all the people in government he possibly could and replaced them with his friends who were not as qualified as the previous place holders. People became weary of Jackson’s ways; saying that he was just going to bring back the ways of monarchy upon America. Later, the word that the President had a secret alliance called the Kitchen Cabinet. Which consisted of unofficial advisors Jackson had constructed. Helping him make decisions with the direction that the government was heading in. Many became infuriated with these private meetings thinking that individuals not elected by the country should have much say in the final stages of an agreement. This is why Jackson won the nickname “King Andrew”.

My personal opinion on President Jackson and how we should remember is as “King Andrew”. Although, I do believe he had little to no intention of establishing a monarchy. I think he made so many questionable decisions that it out ways the good. His repetitive action of firing and rehiring until his secretary did as they were told and replacing positions with his friends was very suspicious. Honestly, his reasoning behind everything was petty and lame on his part. You could tell they were more of excuses rather than reasons. He was just trying to cover and justify his mistakes. Like how he justified the Kitchen Cabinet meetings; he said that it was because people in office had been removed from real life struggles for far too long to make proper accusations. Which makes sense, but these people were elected on the terms that they knew the problems they needed to fix in America. They stated them clearly while campaigning and should continue to fight for them throughout their work in office.  That is why I find this to be a weak reasoning and more of an excuse that most would buy. This is why I believe that Andrew Jackson is more of the “King Andrew” people gave him rather than the more respectable title of “The people’s king”.