Andrew Jackson’s presidency marked a transformative and often contentious era in American history, defined by a fierce commitment to expanding democracy for the common man and a ruthless centralization of executive power. His tenure, spanning from 1829 to 1837, fundamentally reshaped the political landscape, moving the focus from established elites to the will of the majority. Understanding the things Andrew Jackson did as president requires examining a complex legacy of populist reforms and controversial displacements that continue to resonate in the modern American political system.
Champion of the Common Man and Democratic Expansion
One of the most significant things Andrew Jackson did as president was to broaden the political participation of the average citizen. He viewed the United States as a haven for the "common man" against what he saw as a corrupt aristocracy of wealthy elites and established politicians. To facilitate this, he successfully pushed for the elimination of property requirements for voting, which had previously disenfranchised a large portion of the white male population. This monumental shift dramatically increased voter turnout and forced politicians to campaign directly to the people rather than to backroom dealmakers, permanently altering the nature of American elections and making the government more responsive to the populace.
The Spoils System and Rotation in Office
In practice, Jackson’s belief in rewarding political supporters led to the widespread implementation of the spoils system. He famously declared that "to the victor belong the spoils," viewing government positions as prizes for political loyalty. Consequently, one of the most visible things Andrew Jackson did as president was to replace incumbent officials with his own allies upon taking office. While this practice was intended to dismantle the entrenched "corrupt bargain" of the previous administration, it often resulted in the removal of experienced bureaucrats and the installation of political appointees, establishing a precedent for partisan federal employment that would define politics for decades.
The Nullification Crisis and Preservation of the Union
Jackson faced one of the greatest constitutional challenges during the Nullification Crisis of 1832. South Carolina, led by John C. Calhoun, declared that it could nullify federal tariffs it deemed harmful to its economy, directly challenging federal supremacy. In response, Jackson took a hardline stance, asserting that states did not have the power to invalidate federal laws. He famously stated that he would hang any man who dared to secede and actively worked to pass the Force Bill, which authorized the use of military action against the state. This decisive action quelled the immediate threat of disunion and firmly established the principle that the Union was perpetual and indivisible, a critical moment in the nation’s constitutional development.
Economic Policy and the Bank War
Perhaps no other action defines Jackson’s economic legacy than his war against the Second Bank of the United States. Jackson viewed the bank as a symbol of concentrated power and a tool of the wealthy elite that exploited ordinary citizens. In a move that stunned political observers, he vetoed the bank’s recharter and subsequently withdrew all federal deposits, placing them into state-chosen "pet banks." This controversial policy destabilized the national currency and led to rampant speculation in western lands, culminating in the Panic of 1837. The long-term economic volatility that followed remains a central part of the debate over whether his financial policies protected the common citizen or unleashed dangerous economic chaos.
Indian Removal and the Trail of Tears
Despite his professed advocacy for the common man, one of the darkest aspects of Jackson’s presidency was his enforcement of Indian removal policies. He staunchly supported the 1830 Indian Removal Act, which authorized the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral homelands in the Southeast to territory west of the Mississippi River. This policy led directly to the infamous Trail of Tears, where thousands of Cherokee, Muscogee, Seminole, Chickasaw, and Choctaw people died from exposure, disease, and starvation during the brutal journey. The human cost of these actions represents a grim and enduring stain on Jackson’s legacy, highlighting the brutal cost of westward expansion.
