How dramatically did President Jackson change the balance of power between the three branches of government? Did he significantly expand the power of the executive branch?
He blew out any power of the Supreme Court by directly dismissing their ruling over the Cherokee Nation. He removed them despite the Supreme Court saying they had a right to the land. He sent troops as well without the congress approving the act. He dramatically demonstrated his authoritarian belief of the presidency.
None/no. He brought to the office of president a general officer leader (undefeated in war), street fighter, fearless, tough as old hickory personality to the White House. Jackson was unquestionably the toughest, manliest man ever to hold that office. He was all-American with zero hidden agenda, although he especially relished kicking British butt! Yet as President, he worried constantly about the comfort and well being of his slaves in Tennessee in the care of his adopted son. Jackson was one reason Sam Houston had the courage to lead the Texan revolt. He retreated toward Louisiana prior to good fortune at San Jacinto. If Santa Anna had transgressed the border chasing Houston, Jackson himself would have led an army to conquer Mexico. Although it is unlikely Santa Anna would have incited President Jackson: no one in the world was that foolhardy. He was (north and south) the second most popular President since George Washington. Andrew Jackson is without parallel in US history, except maybe Teddy Roosevelt. Teddy never achieved Jackson's accomplishments in war. If Teddy was Caesar, Jackson was Alexander the Great.
Yes, he did expand the power of the executive branch. A good book on this is American Lion by Jon Meacham.[edit] Andrew Jackson Andrew Jackson expanded the powers of the Executive Branch through his opposition of the Second chapter of the Bank of the United States. Arguing on several ideological and apposed the bank as an institution which focused the power of finances in the United States on a single institution (see Andrew Jackson for more details). The first president to use the veto power, he indirectly expanded the powers of the Executive Branch in being a major influence on public policy with respect to legislation, making the branch a more powerful check in the system of checks and balances within the United States Government.
