What did Andrew Jackson do that was helpful during his presidency?

Answer 1

He was a boy during the Revolutionary war, but was actually involved in the fighting.

He served as a major general in the War of 1812. He also fought in several military actions against hostile Indians.

Answer 2

Jackson was an interesting man. Contrary to legend he did not create the New Democracy. Before 1828 he didn't add a single significant idea to it. He was the beneficiary and came to office as the result. He had very strong ideas as to his constitutional prerogatives so he ignored the Supreme Court on several occasions, he defied Congress, and used the veto 12 times on the grounds of personal distaste rather than constitutional principle. He came into office as a man of the "masses". Under Jackson the "spoils system" was introduced to the federal government and politics became a full time business rather than a side line. As a veteran Indian fighter he also thought it wrong to continue to regard the Native American tribes as separate nations within states. He helped push through the policy in 1830 the movement of more than 100,000 Native Americans In the diplomatic area he was fairly successful. In 1831 the Paris government agreed to pay the United States several million dollars as compensation to American ships illegally seized during Napoleonic upheavals. When this wasn't paid by the French Jackson suggested that the governmentseize French property in the United States, and pay off the debt with the proceeds. Angry the French closed their legation in Washington. Soon the American legation in Paris was closed and there was the buzz of war, but Jackson refused to apologize. The British finally mediated and the money was finally paid by the French. In retrospect the Jackson years were blustery. He was rough, let the common people into national politics, united them into a powerful party and proved that they could be trusted with the vote and high office. Yet, no one can doubt he did a lot of damage from use of the spoils system, thousands of bank failures, and his treatment of the Native Americans. In my opinion he didn't do much that was helpful as president, but he did open the world of politics to people in general and allowed them to take part in their government. This was new thought and still is in action today.