Final answer:
Andrew Jackson's major beliefs included empowering the common man, asserting the presidency's authority, and limiting government's role in the economy to oppose artificial inequality. He used presidential powers to pursue these goals, leading to significant policy actions such as the Indian Removal Act and the dismantling of the Second Bank of the United States.
Step-by-step explanation:
Andrew Jackson's Beliefs and Policies
Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States, had a distinct set of beliefs regarding the common man, the presidency, and the economy. His policies reflected an era known as Jacksonian Democracy, which emphasized empowering the common man, supporting states' rights, and advocating for a strict interpretation of the Constitution. Jackson believed that the role of government in the nation's economy should be limited, arguing against what he saw as artificial inequality created by entities like the centralized Second Bank of the United States.
Jackson believed in the power of the presidency and asserted executive authority through measures such as the use of the veto and patronage. He saw his role as directly representing the will of the people, often at the expense of the established political order and economic elites. Jackson's stance on issues such as the Indian Removal Act, the conflict over state's rights and nullification, and the battle against the Second Bank were all guided by his belief in a strong executive that acted on behalf of the majority.
Ultimately, Jackson's policies and actions led to a shift in political paradigms, contributing to the creation of the second party system in America, delineating the Democrats, who supported Jackson's ideology, and the Whigs, who favored a more nationalist approach and government intervention in the economy for growth.