Historical Figures and their impact on American History - Essay Example

?Andrew Jackson There are many historical leaders in the United s which have contributed it to its development and prosperity. In particular, the leaders in the early development of the United States were the most influential in how the United States is today. Many of these early leaders had military experience and leadership which was able to assist them in giving our newly born country direction. Andrew Jackson was a different breed of leader in that he was a man of the people and was the product of many years of battle and hardship. His policies struck both inspiration and condemnation at the time, but were influential in helping the United States develop to this point. Andrew Jackson was one of the most important leaders in the initial founding of America and he had a major impact on our nation. Andrew Jackson was born on March 15, 1767 in what is the present day border of North and South Carolina. He was of Scottish-Irish decent because his parents, Andrew Jackson Senior and Elizabeth Hutchinson had emigrated from Ireland. They were not a very wealthy family, which would eventually come to influence Jackson’s decisions when he became president. Even though he had a sporadic education, he eventually learned how to read and then became an exceptional lawyer. Around the time at the start of the American Revolution, both he and his brother joined the Continental Army to serve as couriers. In one instance, they were captured by British forces and were forced to work shining shoes for them. An incident started in which Jackson refused to polish the boots of a British solider which ended up scarring him for life when he was hit with a saber. During their incarceration, they both contracted smallpox; Jackson was the only one who survived. After this, he continued to prosper in the military eventually achieving high rank (Remini, and Clark 5-40). His time spent in the military after the Revolutionary War, however, would not be the end. He took on the role as both a solider and a leader again during the War of 1812. Following his hate from the scar he received from the British during the revolution, he took charge of Tennessee’s militia. It was during this engagement that he earned the nickname “Old Hickory,” a name which stuck with him for the rest of his life. The biggest moment in Jackson’s military career was his defeat of British forces at the Battle of New Orleans in 1815, which helped restore the nation’s pride. Even though this was the last engagement with the British in the military, he was also involved with many military engagements with Indian tribes that were in the region. After the fall of the British, he began to step in and participate in the arena of politics. He first ran as the presidential candidate in 1824 against John Quincy Adams; he lost. He had won most of the popular vote, but did not receive the electoral majority. He ran again in 1829 and finally won the election. The biggest thing in his favor was he was considered to be “a friend to the common man” having been the only one of the first elected presidents to not come from aristocracy. His biggest and longest contribution to the economic system of America was the abolishment and reformation of the bank of the United States. He felt that the economic systems of America had to be concentrated and that the economic policies swayed too much power over Congress. He was also known for the Indian Removal Act in 1830. It allowed the federal government to negotiate for land outside the US territory and eventually forced the Indians further west. Although Jackson was able to create a better society for those of the lower classes, he made many enemies which is what eventually lead to his assassination attempt in 1835. Jackson died on June 8, 1845 in Nashville, Tennessee. Even though he died, his strong will was considered by many to be the start of what would become Manifest Destiny in American exploration west (“Andrew Jackson Biography”). Although not one of the more popular ideas which arose from his presidency was the concept of the spoils system. The spoils system was a way of rewarding those who were loyal to the political party which wins the election. This involved giving government jobs to the voters who helped put a particular politician into office, in this case Jackson. The use of the spoils system continued especially into the Gilded Age, and even now can be seen at a certain degree. Since Andrew Jackson’s time, the United States has developed and turned into the world’s only superpower. It is much unlike what is was like during the Jacksonian era. If Andrew Jackson was alive today and was able to witness everything and be educated on United States history since his time, he would be highly disappointed. Much of the capitalism and banking that has occurred in the past century has favored big business and has lead to many of the common people loosing jobs and being paid less. Banks are seen as corrupt and have made deals in which have increased the debt of locals- a policy that Jackson fought in his day. I think he would have also been impressed with our military. Andrew Jackson served during the Revolutionary War and was immersed in the military way of life for many years fighting the British. While he would be shocked that the United States and England are now really close allies, he would be in marvel at the new military technologies. In addition, he was about pushing the frontier and expansion of the United States. He would be in awe at the development of our space program, which in his time would have been considered science fiction, and our exploration of the seas. I also think he would be somewhat pleased regarding how the spoils system has come into play in American politics. Even though we now don’t consider lobbying and dealing to be an honorable component of campaigning, it was an important component during his time. I think he would be even more pleased with the fact that the contemporary spoils system rewards those who are loyal through making policies which benefit them rather than awarding governmental positions. Also it would just be impossible to give every single person a cut of the spoils if there was a winner to an election. There is no doubt that if the first handful of presidents could come forward from the past to our present that they would have some things to say how the country has progressed. In some way, they are responsible for it because each one, including Andrew Jackson, made a contribution which has influenced the way in which the United States has developed to this date. Being a man of the people, I think that in current politics he would fight for equal healthcare rights as well as tax breaks for the common man. References "Andrew Jackson Biography." American-Presidents.com. Strategic Investment Limited. Web. 7 March 2011. . Remini, Robert, and Wesley Clark. Andrew Jackson. New York, NY: St. Martins Press, 2008. 5-40. Print. Read More