AMERICAN HISTORY Andrew Jackson continues to be a hotly contested character in A

Question

AMERICAN HISTORY

Andrew Jackson continues to be a hotly contested character in American history. Some see his use of the veto and actions towards South Carolina as evidence of true executive power, American manliness, and get things done despite Congress. Others see his use of the veto and removal of Cherokee Indians as evidence of him as a bully and power-hungry. Based on primary and secondary sources, how do you think Americans should remember Andrew Jackson? What should be taught about him in public schools? How do we reconcile the memory of a person who seems to do such good and such horrible things all in the same presidency?

Explanation / Answer

Andrew Jackson was indeed one of the more "mean" presidents that was in power compared to the ones after and before him. He was originally a soldier that fought for the United States in the war of 1812 and got a lot of his popularity there. He tried to run for president twice, first time was unsuccessful as he lost to John Quincy Adams but the subsequent election in '28 was a very successful one for him as he pretty much blew Adams away.
It is no secret that he had some prejudice related to certain races, females, as well as that he was a very strong-minded Christian. One interesting information I remember my group came across on JSTOR was that he once required the Congress to pass a law which will forbid the United States Mail to deliver materials on antislavery, and that goes to speak on his position with the slavery issue that was well existent at that time.
Now, of course, not everything related to Jackson is as dark. Some positives about his assertiveness as well as this "honorable" (according to him) and direct leadership style was the fact that he was the only president ever to pay off the national debt. He also helped the country sort out its differences with the British as they got to an agreement while he was in the office, his administration further settled some claims by France, and they also recognized Texas as its own republic.
Now here is when it goes dark again, he did sign one of the most conservative acts in the US history in 1830 called the "Indian Removal Act", which basically relocated most of native Americans to what is now the state of Oklahoma. This along the fact that he was in support of slavery is what probably destroyed his reputation for years to come as it is kind of hard to make any kind of excuse for that.

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