Politics and Citizenship: From the Jacksonian presidency 2 individual opposing political parties known as the Whigs and the Democratic - Republicans, later becoming known as just Democrats became the central political trends of the time. Founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, the party continued forth and later landed in the hands of Andrew Jackson. The Democratic - Republicans believed that a strong central government would harm and damage the rights and liberties of the states and the citizens within them, the very goals they hoped to pursue and achieve. They also believed in an agrarian based economy as opposed to industrilization. Andrew Jackson alongside Martin Van Buren helped to encourage these ideals and usher an instilled excitement for this particular political/social path.
Economic Transformations and Globalization: Andrew Jackson faced a great struggle with the Second Bank of the United States, an establishment he greatly opposed and maintained high hopes of defeating. Jackson resented the fact that the bank continually rejected his attempts to recieve funding to expand and explore western territories. In addition Jackson felt that the bank in itself lacked organization and a set motive with the power and wealth available to them. Andrew Jackson felt that the bank completely crushed the dreams and hopes of the common people and their chances at success and power. As one for the common people, Jackson took to great measures the actions committed by the bank.
Environment: Andrew Jackson wanted to pursue westward expansion and the territories there that remained dormant. By doing so Jackson's belief in an agrarian culture would be achieved. New lands meant more crops, which meant more food for sale, which meant a stronger economy. Without the neccessary wealth needed to do so though, Jackson was left to only the lands already avilable to him. To open up more land and increase the opportunity to gain more, Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act, a blunt step in resettling Native Americans in order to gain land and please the people. The Indian Removal Act opened up a number of the lands that were previously occupied, but at the hurtful cost of the well being and homes of the Indians that lived there. The act impacted the lives of thousands and was extremely controversial among the Native Americans, but ultimately served in its original purpose to free the occupied lands in order to be used for economic purposes.
Slavery and its Legacies in North America: Alongside the lines of Jackson's pursuit of obtaining new land was what happened when he did gain land. The most common outcome was the use of the land as a plantation in order to increase the economy. Like a majority of the Southern population, Jackson was an advocate of slavery and its practice. In order for his plantations to be successful and his land properly tended to, Jackson needed the steady workforce of the slaves. As a president who advocated slavery, Jackson had his share of opposition and dislike which served to his disadvantage.
War and Diplomacy: Following the Napoleonic Era, Jackson was left with damaged relations between the U.S and the French. This was a result of previous conflict with the French during the times of Napoleon which carried on to later years. Jackson took the steps to make amends with the French and try to establish neutrality. This meant an exchange of money or making compromises, steps that in the end would settle the conflict between the two.
American Identity and Culture: Andrew Jackson during his presidency took the action of removing Indians from there homelands in order to create new lands for the U.S to use. During this time thousands of Native Americans were being forced to leave their homelands and were relocated to a specified Indian location. This great migration of Indians was known as the Trail of Tears. The Trail of Tears showcased a darker more unemotional side of the U.S and really shaped the views and minds of not only the Indians towards the U.S but the U.S and their views on the Indians.
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