Andrew jacks and William Henry Harrison Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Andrew jacks and William Henry Harrison - Essay Example Apparently, the circumstances surrounding the United States during that period were similar. Both of these presidents were born during a time when the United States was under the British colonial rulership. This translates to the fact that both Jackson and Harrison were aware of the struggle towards independence, which was of critical importance to the kind of leadership they exercised. Before rising to the presidential positions, both Jackson and Harrison had held numerous positions in the government that served to prepare them for presidency. Jackson was the seventh president of the United States, and took office in 1829. He set the record for being the first democrat to occupy the white house, making him a pace setter for the democratic affiliation that has become stronger over the years. He remained in office for two terms. During his terms, he redefined the executive powers accorded to the president (Brands 14). The previous presidents had operated much like chief administrators, but he expanded such mandate to the level of the popular tribune. He participated in the revolutionary war, a factor that helped him to understand the type of freedom that American needed. He ascended to office during a time when America was struggling to register economic growth, but taxation on the roads and high import taxes were major setbacks. His introduction of subsidies in the transportation process, and importation protective tariffs defined his initial policies in presidency (Gunderson 34). Jackson also contributed to the ‘bank war’ policies that surrounded the charter accorded to the Second Bank of the United States. He extended the charter past the preset expiry date, and transferred the federal state’s deposits to a bank chartered by the state a year later. This action triggered a financial crisis that culminated into a full-blown depression in the years that followed