Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) U.S. History PDF

Topic 5. Exceptionalism: U.S. History and Politics §1. U.S. History History is culture's bloodstream, torn today between conventional historical accounts and revisionist accounts (genocidal depredations, racial failings of Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson, etc.). Many topics regarding to U.S. history, top...

Topic 5. Exceptionalism: U.S. History and Politics §1. U.S. History History is culture's bloodstream, torn today between conventional historical accounts and revisionist accounts (genocidal depredations, racial failings of Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson, etc.). Many topics regarding to U.S. history, topics, focus on two defining presidencies A. Andrew Jackson (1767 – 1845) Andrew Jackson stands out as one of the most divisive figures in American politics. In the words of James Shapiro, “Jacksonian democracy” itself is an oxymoron. It is alternately “anti- elitist, racist, manly, expansionist, nationalist, in favor of limited regulation and a more powerful presidency, and mostly good for white men”. Indeed, different elements stand out 287 in Jackson’s presidency: (i) his authoritarianism (pictured by his opponents as a power-mad dictator who used various means, among which the veto, to put the executive branch at the center of national political life); (ii) a populist who relied on utmost loyalty; (iii) a man who polarized the nation like no other; (iv) lack of intellectual credentials. Several policies defined Jackson’s White House years (1829-1837): nullification, Indian removal, clerical influence in politics, internal improvements (projected roads and canals), and the station of the United States in the world. One particularly crucial area of contention concerned the fate of the economy and most notably the power and running of the Second Bank of the United States. He came to Washington amidst a populist insurgency. Pres. 1829-1837 Military hero (Battle of New Orleans, 1815) who takes on the presidency amidst a populist insurgency in the 1820s-1830 Aim: free the country from established interests (the oligarchs of the East) and a promise to return the country to Jeffersonian republicanism (greatness…) Style: born for a Storm: wild party in the White House on the day of his inauguration Never one to appeal to both sides of the aisle Administration run through an unofficial “Kitchen Cabinet”, made up of friends and allies A divisive leader who inspired devotion “I was born for a storm and a calm does not suit me,” Jackson once said, according to Meacham: an intensely partisan, often hot-headed leader. Unlike his predecessors, Jackson did not necessarily appoint individuals to positions based on their talents. After his first administration became bitterly divided when the wives of his Cabinet members shunned Peggy Eaton, the wife of his Secretary of War, 287 James Shapiro, Shakespeare in a Divided America (London: Faber & Faber, 2020), p. 62. 106  due to rumors about her loose morals, he fired everyone and became alienated from Vice President John Calhoun. Policies: although a believer in states’ rights, a stout nationalist with a tyrannical bent Unapologetic defender of slavery (enemy of Henry Clay) and main architect of Native American removal A deep suspicion of paper money and the banks which printed it… All-out attack on the Bank of the United States starting in 1832: disastrous long-term results Nullification crisis: when South Carolina refused to accept a federal tariff, Jackson became infuriated and quickly dealt with the issue. "Jackson, although a believer in state's rights, was a strong nationalist and said that no state can decide which laws it will abide by and not abide by," Foner says. "He got Congress to authorize him to use military force if necessary to have the law operative in South Carolina, and South Carolina backed down. » Harriet Tubman to replace Jackson on the $20 bill. If we fast forward to the Trump administration, we can spot a few elements of comparison with Andrew Jackson… Indeed, there exists a bromance across the centuries between the two, with Jackson viewed as an example for the current administration (one should also point out the irony of Donald Trump standing in front of a portrait of Andrew Jackson in the Oval Office to thank WWII Navajo code breakers, using the opportunity to mock Elizabeth Warren, a U.S. Senator who claimed Cherokee descent. Scandal-ridden administration Among a variety of scandals, Russia “collusion” probe + Ukraine (quid pro quo)... Impeachment proceedings (September 2019 – January 2020). Paul Manafort indicted on 12 counts, including tax evasion, money laundering and “conspiracy against the United States”. Politically inexperienced President Businessman (real estate and construction), host and producer of The Apprentice (reality TV show) + appearances at the Miss USA pageants which he owned from 1996 to 2015. Record of insults (master of assassination in 140 characters) Rhetorical command of “truthful hyperbole” douteux Dubious relationships (e.g. David Duke, Vladimir Putin, Rodrigo Duterte) Shady financial dealings Sexual harassment 1. Insults. Besides insulting Mexicans, Muslims, Blacks, he calls his opponents “losers” and “morons”. Said Hillary was “such a nasty woman”. 2. Truthful hyperbole: In The Art of the Deal, Donald Trump calls one of his rhetorical tools “truthful hyperbole.” He both defends and praises it as “an innocent form of exaggeration - and a very effective form of promotion.” As a promoter, Trump made extensive use of this technique. Hyperbole is an extravagant overstatement and it can be either positive or negative in character. When describing himself and his plans, Trump makes extensive use of positive hyperbole: he is the best and every plan of his is the best. He also makes extensive use of negative hyperbole—often to a degree that seems to cross over from exaggeration to fabrication. From a logical standpoint, “truthful hyperbole” is an impossibility. This is because hyperbole is, by definition, not true. 107  3. In terms of dubious relationships, his admiration for Duterte, the president of the Philippines is quite outrageous. More than 7,000 Filipino drug users and dealers have been killed since he took office. Human rights groups describe it as a vigilante campaign. Earlier this year, Mr Trump told Mr Duterte: “I just wanted to congratulate you because I am hearing of the unbelievable job on the drug problem”. Much like Andrew Jackson, a singular brand of loyalty also characterizes the Trump administration. Trump wants to be surrounded by people who put their relationship with him first. This explains why his daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner hold top White House positions. It is also why he brought old favorites such as Kayleigh McEnany and Hope Hicks back into his inner circle. His first Cabinet meeting was televised and included a litany of fawning complements by each member of the Cabinet. Trump’s fixation on loyalty drives him to regard experts and independent thinkers with deep suspicion. Before the Covid- 19 pandemic, Trump’s obsession with loyalty led to disagreements that played a role in driving away a host of competent figures, including former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, former chief of staff John Kelly, former national security adviser John Bolton, and former Secretary of Defense James Mattis. At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Dr. Rick Bright, who oversaw the production and purchase of vaccines as the head of the Health and Human Services’ Biomedical Research and Development Authority, said that he was dismissed after clashing with the administration on coronavirus treatments. The President was also frustrated 288 with Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and household name who served under four different presidents, Republican and Democratic alike. The President retweeted a Twitter post that included the hashtag #FireFauci. When Trump suggested in late April 2020 that people could stop Covid-19, or even cure themselves, by injecting disinfectants, another chief scientist – Deborak Birx – avoided contradicting him. Indeed Anthony Scaramucci, who briefly served as White House head of communications, considered: “The way to keep your job is to out-loyal everyone else, which means you have to tolerate quackery. You have to flatter him in public and flatter him in private. Above all, you must never make him feel ignorant”. 289 During the protests that followed the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police on May 2020 – America worst uprisings in fifty years – Donald Trump threatened to quell : deploy regular troops to quell the unrest. Many legal commentators, and top military brass to stop itself (including former Defense Secretary James Mattis), considered the move controversial, serment something, if not a breach of the President’s constitutional oath. Even the President’s current Secretary 290 especially by of Defense, Mark Esper, distanced himself from Donald Trump’s threats, voicing his using force reluctance to invoke the Insurrection Act to send troops in as a mechanism of law breach : an act of 288 In a whistleblower complaint filed on May 5, 2020, Dr. Bright said he was pressured to send financially breaking a important contracts to a company – Aeolus Pharmaceuticals – with political connections to the Trump law, administration (specifically, controlled by a friend of the President’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner). The promise, implication was that he was fired after having refused (the Department of Health and Human Services agreement, denied Dr. Bright’s allegations). See Addendum to the Complaint of Prohibited Personnel Practice and or Other Prohibited Activity by the Department of Health and Human Services Submitted by Dr. Bright, relationship Internet available at https://edition.cnn.com/2020/05/05/politics/rick-bright-full-complaint/index.html (accessed May 16, 2020), p. 6. 289 Quoted in Edward Luce, “Trump and the great coronavirus meltdown”, Financial Times, May 16-17, 2020. 290 Steve Collinson, “Military leaders condemn Trump over protest response”, CNN, June 4, 2020, Internet available at https://edition.cnn.com/2020/06/04/politics/donald-trump-james-mattis-esper- protests/index.html (accessed June 4, 2020). 108 enforcement. By prioritizing his duty to the rule of law, Esper’s comments angered the White House at the risk of his losing his job. The President’s demand of loyalty appeared absolute, even in the face of “power grabs that threaten[ed] the constitutional guardrails of his office”. 291 Another strong illustration of loyalty that comes to mind, beyond the Covid-19 crisis or the George Floyd protests, may be found in the hiring of a college senior (from George Washington University), James Bacon, as director of operations of the Presidential Personnel Office, headed by John McEntee (whose main purpose appears to be planting loyalists throughout the government ). A former White House official told Politico that Bacon’s 292 loyalty outweighed his relative lack of experience, saying: “He will do a great job because he has trust with POTUS”. Those who work for the President are subject to his loyalty code. In 293 the Covid-19 crisis, members of the White House were expected to prioritize loyalty to the President above age, experience, and science. B. Woodrow Wilson (1856 – 1924) Scholar (professor) of history and politics + appointed President of the University in the early 1920s. He had a quick rise in politics because he became president in 1923 (to 1921). Elected by a landslide. He was in favor of international relations. He was a mixture of pragmatic politics and visionary idealism. Easy speech (many conferences), no necessity for obedience, very open to speak with the media. He directly reached out the people. Cabinet government (delegated executive authority) and attacked the lobbyists (the invisible government) ≠ kitchen cabinet. Wanted to clean up the government and attacked the lobbyist. In terms of policies, Wilson undertook reforms (had enough authority to do so) and laid the foundations of the modern American banking system: Federal Reserve Act 1913. Established the FTC - Federal Trade Commission that had as aim to liberalize trade, open the world into an international trading system. Initial isolationism: he was elected on the principle that the US wouldn’t go to war "The USA will not get involved in the WWI" (1913) but change of mind in 1917. → He sowed the seeds of the League of Nations → his vision of peace in the 14 points Fast-forward to President Obama: also an intellectual, an idealist. He was good enough to be re-elected like Wilson (but lost seats in Congress). They both left the USA in a bad mood, in a populist mood. Both the 28 and 44 Presidents left office with Americans in very bad moods: th th concerning this last point, important to emphasize that at the time of Obama’s election in 2008, there was an optimistic narrative of the civil rights movement that consisted in believing in incremental progress and expanding opportunity in an increasingly multiracial 291 Ibid. 292 McEntee, himself a young man (aged 29), held a meeting in a conference room in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on February 20, 2020 with White House liaisons of Cabinet departments where he asked officials to find Trump appointees who may be anti-Trump, according to an administration official familiar with the meeting. McEntee also told them that PPO was going to take a look at all appointees at some point and re-vet them to see if they’ve been disloyal in any way. 293 Daniel Lippman and Meredith McGraw, “A new senior leader at the White House personnel office: a college senior”, Politico, February 25, 2020, Internet available at https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/25/college-senior-white-house-personnel-office-117493 (accessed April 26, 2020). 109