Final answer:
Andrew Jackson supported states' rights but upheld federal law during the Nullification Crisis. In stark contrast, his policy towards Native Americans was harsh and violent, resulting in the 1830 Indian Removal Act and the subsequent Trail of Tears.
Step-by-step explanation:
Andrew Jackson's presidency is a complex subject, especially when it comes to his stance on states' rights and Native Americans. Contrary to the belief that he hated states' rights, Jackson was a proponent of the states' rights doctrine, but he also believed in a strong federal government, particularly in preserving the union. Issues surrounding nullification and the highly controversial Tariffs of 1828 and 1832 exemplify this. He became involved in a conflict with South Carolina during the Nullification Crisis when the state sought to nullify federal tariffs. Jackson affirmed the supremacy of federal law while working to reduce the tariff rates to address concerns over the tariffs' impact on the southern economy.
His view on Native Americans, however, was less ambiguous. President Jackson spearheaded the passage of the 1830 Indian Removal Act, which led to the forced removal of the Cherokee, Creek, Seminole, Chickasaw, and Choctaw Nations from their ancestral lands. This mass relocation, known as the Trail of Tears, resulted in incredible suffering and loss of life among native populations. This policy he endorsed reflected the prevailing sentiments of white settlers and was a dark legacy of his presidency.