Gray 1

Vance Gray
Professor Busby
American History
3/3/12
WC; 434 so far YET TBD?

{DRAFT}
MAJOR GENERAL ANDREW JACKSON
The dubious Protector of our Constitution, Andrew Jackson unlike his
predecessors was elected to office by popular vote and campaigned to act as a
direct representative of the common man. Mandated to office Jacksons dauntless
demeanor and aggressive attitude used the power of the Veto to strengthen the
powers of the Presidency. Albeit Andrew Jacksons political decisions were
somewhat contentious. His term as 7th President of the United States unequivocally
preserved our Union, by creating a bona-fide democracy and social equality
amongst all white men.
Congruent philosophies of the Constitution were sparked by the Revolution of
1828. Jackson and his followers known as Jacksonians claimed to be the protectors
of our Constitution. The first test was when South Carolina demanded the right to
nullify federal law over the tariffs of 1828. Jackson swiftly requested Congress to
ratify the Force Bill allowing the right to use force against any state that sought to
nullify a federal law. South Carolina would soon succumb after receiving no support
from other states. Jackson would then concede to slowly lower the tariff over time.
This bolstered his attempt to uphold federal powers outlined in the constitution and
thus prevented individual states from claiming rights that the national government
did not grant. In 1830 Jackson used the power of the veto to deny the use of federal
funds for infrastructure improvements in KY.

Gray 2
Jacksons first congressional speech as President was to eliminate the
electoral vote and implement universal suffrage. In the revolution of 1828 the
Jacksonians would then create an extra and much needed 2 nd constitutional policy,
the establishment of the 2-party system. This 2-party system would concoct a
system similar to the checks and balances of the Congress and Senate. This policy
would inadvertently force the politician to act as to the will of the people. This was
a crucial turning point in American democracy and in 1830 it was conceded by both
political parties. In Jacksons bid for the Presidency not only did he claim to be the
protector of the Constitution he also professed political democracy and equality of
economic opportunity. In the legislative branch of the national government the
originators wanted the powers of congress to express the will of the people.
Lamentably their view was only the will of the wealthy elite not the common man.
They viewed the common man as not confident or capable of such intelligence.
Jackson viewed the will of the people to include the entire populous of the white
man, not just the land speculators and wealthy elite.