Andrew Jackson comments on the Union, by Ari Sclar

The present corporate body…enjoys an exclusive privilege of banking under the authority of the General Government, a monopoly of its favor and support…

It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their selfish purposes…[W]hen the laws undertake to add to…natural and just advantages artificial distinctions, to grant titles, gratuities, and exclusive privileges, to make the rich richer and the potent more powerful, the humble members of society – the farmers, mechanics, and laborers – who have neither the time nor the means of securing like favors to themselves, have a right to complain of the injustice of their Government…

Nor is our Government to be maintained or our Union preserved by invasions of the rights and powers of the several States. In thus attempting to make our General Government strong we make it weak. Its true strength consists in leaving individuals and States as much as possible to themselves – in making itself felt, not in its power, but in its beneficence; not in its control, but in its protection; not in binding the States more closely to the center, but leaving each to move unobstructed in its proper orbit…

1. Which legislative act is Andrew Jackson referring to in this message? Cite ONE sentence from the document as evidence of your answer.

2. Does Jackson promote a strong federal government or states’ rights in this message? Did his own actions dealing with this economic question support his rhetorical preference for strong federal government or states’ rights?

3. Overall, did Jackson strengthen the national government as president, or leave “individuals and States as much as possible to themselves”? Cite TWO specific examples from Jackson’s presidency in your response.