Essay --

Jacksonian Democrats stood up for the view they had of themselves in their attempts to preserve the United States Constitution by furthering the progress in political democracy, individual liberty, and equality of economic opportunity. President Jackson and his certain ideals captured the minds of many people which resulted in many votes towards him. Some would even characterize Jackson as a hero, having defeated the British at the Battle of New Orleans and climbing his way up to wealth from poverty; the American Dream. Andrew Jackson was a strict constitutional constructionist, he felt it was his duty to guard what he believed to be the constitution’s spirit, this is carried out when he handles South Carolina’s Nullification Crisis. Jackson makes a strong statement by passing the â€Å"1833 Force Bill†, that the position of John C. Calhoun and also his home state (South Carolina) are unconstitutional. It is also made clear by Jackson that he, as president, is prepared to back up his ideals, even with force, if necessary. By his handling of â€Å"The 1832-1841 Bank War†, Jackson further advanced his demanding constructionist position. Looking in Article I, section 8 of the Constitution, authority to create a national bank given to congress is nowhere to be found. Jackson effectively takes apart what he had viewed as a â€Å"monopoly of the foreign and domestic exchange† that had not been â€Å"compatible with justice, with sound policy, or with the Constitution o f our country.† (Document B) Jackson’s stance on the Bank of the United States also provides an explanation of his commitment to political democracy. Though made by Clay and Webster to publicly place Jackson in an awkward position, the 1832 Bank recharter backfired on the opponent, Whigs... ...n the opinion of Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, Jackson’s Supreme Court appointee, in the Charles River Bridge v. Warren Bridge case. While John Marshall (enemy of Jackson) had made a passage for competition in Gibbons v. Ogden, Taney pointed out in a Jacksonian Democratic type fashion, that charters must be translated strictly. â€Å"There is no exclusive privilege given to them over the waters of Charles River†¦.†(Document H) By this, it is obvious that there is commitment to equality of economic opportunity. Andrew Jackson was a very powerful man, many years of American history carries his name. Despite the negative comments and names that opponents had given him, President Jackson has left an inerasable mark in history as a true guardian of the United States Constitution, preserving political democracy, individual liberty, and equality of economic opportunity.