Andrew Jackson's Principals and Supremacy of the Federal Government

Essay by anthonyypimpszzHigh School, 11th grade December 2009

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After dominating the election of 1828, and securing his rightful presidency from John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson entered office, to be known as ‘the champion of the common man.’ Highly esteemed for his humble, and somewhat impecunious beginnings, Jackson worked his way up to become general, bring the United States to triumph in the Battle of New Orleans, and, although delayed, become the seventh president of the United States. Jackson was anticipated to have a fruitful, successful, and dynamic presidency, for having been able to truly connect to the common man. However, with the help of his eager supporters, the rule that Jackson had over the federal government proved to be not only bigoted, but temperamental as well, from the removal of Native Americans from the United States, to the sudden veto to recharter the country’s bank.

As the discovery of gold down south emerged, the state of Georgia decided that they no longer wanted the Cherokee Native American tribe on this land, although it was indeed their rightful territory.

Contradictory to their expected savage ways, the Cherokee tribe took the state of Georgia to court, in order to befittingly and lawfully secure their land. John Marshall, the Chief Justice of the United States, ruled in favor of the Cherokee tribe, stating that Georgia has no right to force the Native Americans off of their land. Jackson, whom wholeheartedly despised Native Americans, disliked the verdict Marshall had put into effect, but challenged the chief justice saying, “John Marshall has made his decision. Now let him enforce it.” Not possessing of the federal power Jackson obtained, there was no possible way in which Marshall could actually enforce his verdict. Jackson then completely ignored the court sentence, and issued the Indian Removal Act of 1830, sending seven thousand troops down to...