6+1 Writing Assignment: Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson, throughout history, has been hailed as a “man of the people”. He
always put the American people before anything else. Jackson followed a strict moral of being
utilitarian and fair. As president, he committed many wrongs and many rights; however, he
always saw it as what the people wanted and needed. This way of life was given to him by his
experiences in the War of 1812 and his battles with the Seminole tribe. He was very brash in
political views and, prior to being president, was rancorous due to the “corrupt bargain” that
occurred at the Election of 1824. Many people described Jackson as “embodying the true sense
of frontier”, which speaks of his intrepid and honorable attitude towards situations. So many
wonder, what made Andrew Jackson so different compared to all the other presidents? Why was
he considered a “man of the people”? Well, the answer would be his new way of government and
how he handled domestic affairs.
Andrew Jackson incorporated a new way of government by being very adamant on the
concept of patronage. He used this style to bring forth a policy of rotation, which allowed his
loyal men and supporters to have a chance in an elected office. He also used this “spoils system”,
which the name came from a politician named William L. Marcy, to set about replacing previous
presidential appointments and officeholders with Jacksonian Democrats. The opposing
Republican Party was very agitated by this; however, Jackson justified the system by stating that
the positions weren’t permanent, which led to his supporters quickly accepting his argument. On
the other hand, as he did change the interior of the government, he also altered all of the federal
government by limiting it. He felt that government should be restricted, not the rights of the
people. In fact, he rejected more acts of congress than all of the other presidents prior to him
combined. One bill he rejected involved the construction of a road from Maysville, KY to
Lexington, KY, which he responded “The state should handle it, not the federal government”.
The people saw these actions as a grand reformation to America and that Andrew Jackson was
the man to believe in. He earned their trust and respect by doing what he was supposed to be
doing, protecting the rights of the American people.
It is difficult to deal with foreign territories and maintain stability within your own
country; however, Andrew Jackson did so nonchalantly. He handled domestic affairs with logical
and justified means. He approached each problem fearlessly. For example, South Carolina began
to become spiteful and their feelings only intensified in 1832. They declared it wouldn’t
recognize existing and future tariffs and that they may secede. Andrew Jackson understood the
importance of not forfeiting the land and its crops, so he passed the Force Bill. The Force Bill
called for the use of force if South Carolina didn’t pay the tariffs and it revoked their right to
secede. That was the first piece of legislation ever to deny a state the right to secede, so it is quite
obvious how bold of a move it was. Alongside that issue, Jackson had to contend with the Native
Americans. The country began to support the state’s removal act to move the Five Civilized
Tribes, which included the following: Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Seminole
tribes. Now only did Jackson support the act, he also endorsed the Indian Removal Act, which
Comment [KBMCO1]: Focus on Topic: This
essay starts with a clear focus on topic. It will argue
that Andrew Jackson was a man of the people.
Comment [KBMCO2]: Introduction: This
introduction invites the reader to the essay by
asking questions. It also states the main topic and
previews the structure of the paper by giving an
overview of the supportive details.
Comment [KBMCO3]: Focus on Topic and
Sequencing: This paragraph focuses on e supporting
detail. It is in a logical order that keeps you
interested.
gave the president power to negotiate removal treaties with Native Americans east of the
Mississippi. They would trade or give up their lands for new lands in the west, which was very
beneficial for the South due to Georgia containing gold. These acts relocated over 100,000
Natives to the west. Modern people hate this idea however, at the time it was highly supported.
People felt like Jackson made a good decision that people in the area supported. He again made
himself a man of the people.
He was even a man of the people when he shut down the national bank. At the time, the
national bank was biased toward urban areas. Jackson was a frontiersman and believed in the
people. He wanted to change things so funds could go out west instead of staying in the east. He
wanted the privileged people to loose and common people to win. In the end he won and
changed the banking system so it benefited more Americans that just the rich in cities.
Andrew Jackson was a harsh and brash man; however, the thoughts of the people always
were his first priority. These actions led to him building the trust and respect of the nation to
abide by his sayings and honor his authority. Jackson was fair and understood what it meant to
be President. He knew he was representing all of the people, not just himself, so he shut away his
own morals to abide by the people’s judgment. The people praised him for this new sense of
freedom and overall, Andrew Jackson is known as a “ man of the people” because of his tenacity
and strength to triumphantly annihilate adversity to benefit the people.
Keller’s comments: This essay represents a strong first writing assignment. It has a main idea
that is well introduced and is carried through the essay. It is backed by facts that are accurate and
presented in a logical order. Nice work! In the future, I would like to see this essay backed by
cited sources.
Comment [KBMCO4]: Focus on Topic and
Sequencing: This paragraph focuses on e supporting
detail. It is in a logical order that keeps you
interested.
Comment [KBMCO5]: Focus on Topic and
Sequencing: This paragraph focuses on e supporting
detail. It is in a logical order that keeps you
interested.
Comment [KBMCO6]: Focus on Topic and
Sequencing: This conclusion restates the main ideas
found in the introduction and throughout the paper.
It restates the main points to leave the reader with
a clear understanding of the primary arguments in
the essay.