Andrew Jackson Was a Polarizing Leader - Revered by Some of His Fellow Americans and Reviled by Others. What Accounts for the Loyalty He Aroused in so Many? What Explains the Hostility Among Others?

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Andrew Jackson firmly established that presidents could be more than just mere executives that enforced laws. He proved that the president was a representative of all the people and was able to carry out the wishes of the public. Jackson was a people person that had many loyal followers but yet had as many opponents. Andrew Jackson was also known to start the Democratic Party and the Whig party. The democrats were loyalists of Jackson and the Whigs were the opponents. One reason that Jackson had so many loyal followers was the fact that he was a people person. Andrew Jackson was not born a wealthy person or even had the education of one that was known to dibble in politics in the 1800’s, but he had the talent of public speaking. Jackson felt that the government post should be open to the people, not reserved for a privileged class of permanent bureaucrats. (Foner, 391). Jackson used what was known as “party machines,” to employ many common civilians. If an individual supported Jackson or his ideas he rewarded their loyalty with a job. Many of Jackson’s cabinet members were newspaper editors who printed Jackson’s views in the papers. The term “spoils system” was used by Jackson’s opponents to describe Jackson’s policy of removing political opponents from federal offices and replacing them with party loyalists. Many previous presidents had started this process and Jackson continued on with the process. His opponents felt that this was a way for Jackson to guarantee that his mission would be completed. They also felt that a job should be awarded on merit or competency rather than loyalty. Jackson and his loyalists felt that the government should take a hands off approach to the economy and not award special favors to entrenched economic interests. Jackson was opposed to the Bank. He considered re-chartering the Bank but only if the powers were

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