Four-Way Relationship among Jackson, Clay, Calhoun, and Webster - Essay Example

Looking at the four-way relationship among Jackson, Clay, Calhoun, and Webster which man do youfind more admirable and why? Which do you find least likeable overall? Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) was the seventh President of the United States and is considered to be a major influence between the times of Presidents Jefferson and Lincoln. Jackson did not come from pedigree and was in effect, a “self-made man”. During his term as president, Jackson transformed and expanded the Presidents role from what it had been restricted to before. Jackson’s presidency can be split up in two distinct sections for study. First is the one concerning the “nullification crisis”. Prior to this period, under the American System a lot of subsidies were being granted through tariffs imposed on imports and otherwise aiding the domestic industry because it was thought to boost the economy. When Jackson came into power, he curbed these trade protection measures which resulted in an outcry and retaliation from the Congress. The crisis that developed with strong stances from both sides was dimmed when the Congress announced it would lower taxes in 1833. The second episode was concerning the “Bank War”. The Bank of the United States was a corporation controlled by the Congress with basically two major functions, one was to print paper money and the second was to manage the government’s finances, however Jackson thought that such an institution was dangerous and wrongful and later vetoed a charter asking to expand the Bank’s role. Jackson became the advocate for the people against the elite who had set to exploit them. By doing this he introduced a new but permanent theme into American Politics. Further, Jackson strengthened and extended the role and responsibilities of an American President. He inaugurated the “spoils system” which was in effect a patronage system whereby once a party wins the elections, the government gives employment to its voters as an incentive to stay loyal to the party. During his time in power, Andrew Jackson displayed a lot of strength and patriotism and with his precise aim and steel will was able to greatly impact the face of American politics for generations to come. (Miller Center, University of Virginia). Daniel Webster (1782-1852) was an American statesman, lawyer and orator and a strong supporter of nationalism. Following his quick success, Webster was elected for the House of Representatives in 1812. Later, Webster left the congress and moved to Boston, where he proceeded to establish himself as one of the nation’s greatest lawyers. He returned back to Congress in 1823 and was elected for senator four years later. Webster allied with President Andrew Jackson over the issue of nullifying tariff in South Carolina but apart from that they were not really on the same side. Webster ran for presidency but was never elected. (Sydney Nathan). Henry Clay (1777-1852) was an American statesman, congressman and senator. Clay was a supporter of balancing the rights of Free states as well as slave states and fought for federal funding for the national bank, the industry and for much needed investment in infrastructure. Clay also ran twice for the Presidency, both times unsuccessfully. (Bio.Truestory) John Calhoun (1782-1850) was an influential American politician, senator and political theorist. He was Vice President of the United States from 1825 to 1832 during the presidency of John Quincy Adams and also during the initial time period under Andrew Jackson. Calhoun resigned from Vice Presidency in 1832 and was then elected for the United States Senate. He had been a supporter of President Jackson initially, but with the passage of time and events their alliance deteriorated and Calhoun withdrew his support from Jackson after he turned against him. He subsequently became a strong voice against Jackson’s policies especially, the “spoils system”. From the time beginning from1832 and leading up to this death, Calhoun dedicated his life to safeguarding the interests of the South. (Library of Congress and NNDB). In the study of American history, Calhoun, Clay and Webster almost always come together as interlinked parts of the same debate. It is said the even though Calhoun did not have the same level of strength of wit as compared to Webster, he was way ahead of him in ordered and logical planning. Calhoun was clear and direct where Clay was inspirational and charming. And thus was able to achieve the results he had set out for. Their names are also intermittently mentioned with the name of President Andrew Jackson if American political history from the 18th and 19th Centuries is studied. (NNDB) There are different scenarios spread over this time period where these four prominent political historical figures come together in alliance or opposition depending on the policies and administration of those times. Jackson did not hold Clay in high regard and thought he was not to be trusted and would place his own interests before those of the Nation’s. During his presidential term, Jackson also went into opposition with his Vice President, Calhoun over the issue of “nullifying”. Throughout his term he took every chance he got to politically bash these men and succeeded in his pursuits as well, snatching the presidential elections from under Clay’s nose and forcing Calhoun to resign from his post as Vice President. Despite his animosity with these men, and his consequent actions, Jackson was a staunch patriot with no hidden agenda but a vision to serve his country and remove from the political system of that era policies and people whom he thought would be deterrent to the social and economic growth of the United States. (U.S. History pre-Columbian to the new millennium). However, Clay, Calhoun and Webster were not without power and influence in the political landscape of those times. They were strongly influential from the end of the war in 1812 to the end of their respective lives several decades later. Although they had ambitions to, none ever won the presidential elections but had meanwhile a strong collective impact. But it should also be noted that Andrew Jackson still surpassed their level of influence. It should also be duly noted that even though these people had sufficient power to bring about useful reforms, they did not bring any however, they kept the people pacified by forging and brokering compromises that they would not follow through on. (U.S. History pre-Columbian to the new millennium). After study and analysis it is quite clear and can be said that, Andrew Jackson has been by far the most admirable man among the four aforementioned political figures. This can be attributed to the sheer quantity of the results his efforts generated and how much he was able to impact and reform the political landscape of America during his presidential term and his time in power. Among the four of these political figures, the least admirable would have to be Henry Clay. This can be clarified by dividing the negative aspects in two sections. The first section deals with his personal and personality problems. He was hot headed and polarized and consumed by his desire to be president. The second section deals with his failures politically referring mostly to the ”compromises” he forged which resulted in a lot of conflict among the people when he could alternatively have taken a more direct and effective approach. However, despite these misgivings, it is important to acknowledge his importance in American political history and duly recognize him because he was one of the earliest American leaders who helped shaped the political landscape, however little the contribution might have been. (From Revolution to Reconstruction) Works Cited “American President: A Reference Resource.” Miller Center. University of Virginia. Apr 10, 2012. http://millercenter.org/academic/americanpresident/jackson/essays/biography/1 Sydney Nathans. “Daniel Webster.” Grolier Electronic Publishing, Inc. Apr 10, 2012. http://www.marshfield.net/History/webster.htm “Henry Clay.biography”. Bio.truestory. A&E Television Networks. Apr 10, 2012. http://www.biography.com/people/henry-clay-9250385 “John C. Calhoun”. NNDB. Apr 10, 2012. http://www.nndb.com/people/902/000043773/ “CALHOUN, John Caldwell, (1782 - 1850)”. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Apr 10, 2012. http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=c000044 “24e. Jackson vs. Clay and Calhoun”. U.S. History Pre-Columbian to the New Millennium. Independence Hall Association, Philadelphia. Apr 10, 2012. http://www.ushistory.org/us/24e.asp “30c. Three Senatorial Giants: Clay, Calhoun and Webster”. U.S. History Pre-Columbian to the New Millennium. Independence Hall Association, Philadelphia. Apr 10, 2012. http://www.ushistory.org/us/30c.asp Thomas Rush. “Henry Clay (1777-1852) An Introduction”. From Revolution to Reconstruction. 2010. University of Groningen. Apr 10, 2012. http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm Read More