Ahmed Hamed 3/29/15
Old Hickory: Common Man or Tyrant?
There was a great era of national pride after 1815. Why? This good feeling was the product of America fending off the superior military force of England. How was this possible? Well victory even though the Treaty of Ghenet was achieved do to the leadership of General Andrew Jackson during the Battle of New Orleans. This accomplishment however does not make President Andrew Jackson anything more than an experienced military man. Though being the greatest champion of the people allows him to transcend that reputation and even most other presidents. Jackson was a true man of the people, a man who represented and understands ordinary people. He held his principles and convictions above all else, with those principles being limited government and democracy. Yet despite these characteristics some find it to call Jackson a tyrant, as is their prerogative. Though I feel that to see Andrew Jackson as a tyrant, you must be blind to his constituent’s wishes. Objectively it is clear to see that President Jackson was a man of the people even if he did execute unethical tactics as an instrument of the people. The voting statistics, his bank veto message, and even the tragic Indian Removal Act are evidence Jackson was for the people.
Any individual who claims to be a man of the people surely has the love of the people to prove it. Indeed Jackson did and what better way to show this proof then numbers. Even though Andrew Jackson lost his first election in 1824 to Adams that was not the people will. Instead it was due to the “corrupt bargain” in which the House selected the President. Though in reality the People’s choice was Jackson who attained 158,000 popular votes, 44,000 more than Adams. Though the real evidence which shows how beloved Jackson was, is the landslide election at his second attempt for president in which he is elected. Why though, why did the people love Jackson? The reason...