Furthermore, he recognized that whites desired their lands and feared if the Native Americans remained in those areas they would eventually be exterminated. Though he had railed against government corruption in the past, Jackson largely ignored the shady treaties forced upon the various tribes and the corrupt actions of government officials. The Indian Removal process was completed two years after Jackson left office with great loss of Native American life due to this corruption, inadequate supplies and removal by force.
With the Eaton Affair behind him and his programs in full swing, Jackson turned his attention to an issue that would define his presidency and forever reshape the office he held. Bank profits benefited private stockholders as well as the U. In its early years, the bank was riddled with corruption and poor financial management. This resulted in economic hardship in the U. Jackson realized their important role in the U. Furthermore, he saw the Bank as a threat to national security since its stockholders were mainly foreign investors with allegiances to other governments.
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The crux of the issue for Jackson was what he saw as the never-ending battle between liberty and power in government. In his belief system, people should sacrifice some individual liberty for the beneficial aspects of government. But if any government institution became too powerful it stood as a direct threat to individual liberty. Jackson signaled early on in his administration that he would consider re-chartering the Bank, but only if its powers were limited.
Clay decided that he would force Jackson to make the Bank a campaign issue in by re-chartering the Bank early. Clay secured Congressional approval of the re-charter forcing Jackson to promptly veto it on constitutional and policy grounds. Clay and Jackson then put the issue of who or what was the greater danger to individual liberty, to the people. The people overwhelmingly re-elected Jackson. Vindicated by the people, Jackson prepared to finish his fight with the Bank in his second term, but first had to deal with a threat to the Union. Calhoun advanced the idea that the states had the constitutional right to nullify or invalidate any federal law and that states could secede from the Union.
In late , South Carolina nullified the Tariff of and threatened secession. Jackson rejected these ideas and promised the use of force if South Carolina disobeyed the law. After much brinksmanship, Congress passed a compromise tariff that placated South Carolina and a bill that authorized the use of force against nullification. With nullification abated, Jackson returned to the Bank War. While Jackson pushed his banking plan through Congress he handicapped the Bank by ordering the removal of government deposits.
In response, the Bank created an artificial economic panic by calling in loans. The opposition-controlled Senate censured Jackson for removing the deposits without Congressional authorization. Meanwhile, the old debate over liberty and power raged as Jackson, Congress and the Bank were all accused of abusing their powers. The loss of his wife, Rachel, deeply affected him and he would spend the remainder of his life mourning her. Compounding his sorrows were constant struggles with his health resulting from wounds, harsh military camp life. Most notable among these family members were Andrew Jackson Donelson and his wife Emily, who served as his private secretary and official hostess.
Jackson left his physical mark on the White House by having the north portico completed, redecorating several rooms most notably the East Room and making various improvements to the service buildings and grounds. He entertained lavishly at the White House for both private affairs and public social events which always surprised his detractors who thought him an uncivilized military tyrant.
While Jackson struggled with sorrow, his health, personal finances and domestic policy issues, he enjoyed almost complete success in foreign affairs. Jackson made it known at the outset of his administration that he intended to take no aggressive action against any foreign country.
However, Texans declared and won their own independence from Mexico in Just days before he left office, Congress recognized Texas and Jackson approved its action. With two of its largest trading partners on the brink of war, Great Britain stepped in and helped settle the dispute to preserve the peace. At last, France paid the indemnity and Jackson offered explanations for his threats, but no apologies.
With the French crisis behind him and the nation free of debt, Jackson settled in for the last year of his presidency. Several issues dominated his final days in office including the approval of his decentralized banking system, distribution of the national surplus, currency reform and the campaign to elect Vice-President Martin Van Buren to the presidency.
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With an election year, Congressmen wanted a victory to take home to the voters and they zeroed in on distributing government surpluses to the states for internal improvements. Jackson opposed distribution because he felt it was unconstitutional. He preferred that the surplus be reserved for national defense.
Knowing Jackson would oppose their distribution plan, Congress tied it to the banking reforms Jackson long desired. In addition, such social and political forces as the growth of political parties, economic and geographic expansion, and the changing nature of the national government have all had their influence on the presidency.
The Man in the White House: His Powers and Duties
These processes are historically traced by the author and illustrated by vivid examples of how they worked in the case of such holders of the office as Washington, Jackson, Polk, Lincoln, the two Roosevelts, and Eisenhower. Every chapter of the book brings a fresh and authoritative approach to an office and an institution that is the subject of searching debates today. The Presidency as an Institution pp. Apprenticeship for the Presidency pp. Pressures on the President pp. The Influence of Nominating Methods pp. The Presidency as Molded by the Campaign and Election pp.
The President as Party Leader pp.
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The President and Congress pp. The President as Chief Legislator pp.
The Chief Executive pp. Implementing the Presidency pp. The President as Chief Diplomat pp. The Vice-Presidency and Succession to the Presidency pp. The President as a National Symbol pp.