how democratic was andrew jackson? I understand that his name is tied very closely to democracy, but some of his actions were like a king's. he was even given the nickname "king andrew the first"
how would you measure his 'democraticness' without saying he was a little democratic or he was very democratic?
This is your assignment. Nobody can do it for you. Read lots and find out about his populist/democratic positions and what he actually did while in office.
http://www.bing.com/search?q=andrew+jackson&form=EDGNTC&qs=PF&cvid=9ba8093418a44a51986a768eeac793c8&pq=andrew+jackson&cc=US&setlang=en-US
When you write, give examples of actions Jackson took that were in favor of populist goals, as in local government control as opposed to central government control, then give examples of things he did that over-rode local control (as in native American removal, etc.) The you can say that sometimes he was for democracy and other times for centralized government.
To measure Andrew Jackson's democratic stance without using qualitative terms like "a little democratic" or "very democratic," you can analyze specific actions and policies during his presidency. Here are a few factors you can consider:
1. Universal White Male Suffrage: Jackson was an advocate for expanding voting rights to include more white males. While this was a significant step towards broader democracy, it is important to note that women, Native Americans, African Americans, and other minority groups were still excluded from voting.
2. Populist Appeal: Jackson positioned himself as a champion of the common man, drawing support from the working class and small farmers. His rhetoric aimed to resonate with ordinary citizens, emphasizing their representation and interests above those of the wealthy elite.
3. Strengthening the Executive Branch: Critics of Jackson argue that he expanded the power of the presidency beyond what was intended by the Constitution. His use of the veto power was unprecedented, as he vetoed a record number of bills passed by Congress. This led to accusations that he was acting like a monarch or an autocrat.
4. Indian Removal Act: One of the most controversial aspects of Jackson's presidency was the forced relocation of Native American tribes, particularly the Cherokee, known as the Trail of Tears. This policy ignored Native American sovereignty and rights, casting doubts on the inclusivity and democratic values of Jackson's administration.
5. Nullification Crisis: Jackson took a strong stance against the doctrine of nullification, which held that individual states could reject federal law. He defended the supremacy of the federal government and opposed efforts by South Carolina to nullify tariffs, thereby supporting a centralized government.
By considering these factors and assessing the impact of Jackson's policies on different aspects of democracy, you can form a more nuanced understanding of his democratic standing.