Assess the successes and failures of Andrew Jackson s presidency
When Jackson came to power in 1829 he promised much, advocating equality, democratic change, morality in government and true representation. However Jackson’s success or failure as a president is shown by what he actually did. The thesis of this essay is that despite the variety of issues faced by Jackson he didn’t actually bring about much change. ... Failure might constitute not meeting one’s promises but Jackson’s ambiguity and inconsistency on many issues make it hard to judge his performance. ... The first issue to be evaluated in Jackson’s presidency is the policy of “rotation in office” and also the cabinet reorganisation in 1831. Jackson began by rewarding his supporters with Cabinet positions and removing those against him. ... in order to protect American freedom” , it is hard to believe that this was Jackson’s sole belief. The need to have a co-operative, and loyal bureaucracy was crucial to Jackson’s success. ... And Jackson’s appointments on the whole (with the exception of Samuel Swartwout) were honest and well deserving. Some historians such as James Parton never forgave Jackson for “rotation” saying that “instead of reform he had introduced one of the worst political practises conceivable” . ... However the people generally supported Jackson as they too saw regular change in officials to be healthy for a democracy. ... Jackson was criticised for sometimes ignoring his cabinet in forming policy. ... But at the same time Jackson also “greatly enlarged executive authority … making the presidency a more effective, dramatic and personal office” and independently ran his own Administration. ... In 1831 Jackson asked the cabinet to resign for purposes of re-organisation but then elected a new cabinet composed of entirely his own supporters. Jackson justified his actions by claiming to be the people’s representative. Others saw him as “King Andrew”, a person bent on concentrating absolute power in his own hands. ... The main ideals that Jackson confronted during his term were those of state rights versus the federal government. Jackson wanted to limit federal government power and promised to guard against “all encroachments upon the legitimate sphere of state sovereignty” . ... In 1830 Jackson vetoed the Maysville Road Bill, which authorised the use of federal funds to construct a road between two towns in Kentucky. ... However as Jones points out his reasons were political, particularly wanting to strike a blow at his opponent, Henry Clay’s own state. Jackson had no qualms about signing other internal improvement Bills showing his inconsistency. ... The second incident where Jackson stood by his solicitude for state rights was in the removal of the Indian tribes.