In the 1820s-1830s, Andrew Jackson's Democrats boasted of their glorious deeds to defend the American people. Andrew Jackson claimed to be “the common man,” but some actions seemed more like those of a king. Andrew Jackson's opponents sought to exploit his excessive assertion of authority. Some of Andrew Jackson's actions and policies advanced the common people, while other of his actions exploited the people and created an ineffective democracy. Andrew Jackson claimed to be the defender of the common man and some of his actions and policies proved that he was a guardian of the common man. individual rights. Andrew Jackson despised the Bank of the United States, saying it was unfair to ordinary people and denounced it as unconstitutional. He believed that this only benefited the wealthiest people and growing up in the forests of Tennessee made him sympathetic to the lower classes, thus resulting in his amnesty towards the rich. (DB) People from all over the world began to notice the equal opportunities that Jackson offered to even the poorest people. Harriet Martineau, a British author, praised Jackson's efforts to make America the land of opportunity even for the lower classes. He noted that all people own land, common people have knowledge and people have the power to choose their own candidates. This way of life was very advanced and progressive compared to the way other nations in the world functioned at that time. (DD) Jackson also protected the rights of the people allowing capitalism to thrive throughout America. Andrew Jackson believed that through hard work and perseverance anyone could improve themselves. Charles River Bridge v. Warren Bridge proved that America is not a monopolistic society and that anyone has the right to start their own business by... means of paper... the people. South Carolina did not want postal service shipped from the North because it might promote propaganda for the slave revolt. However, Jackson made it federal law that Southern states must receive mail from the North. This action increased tensions that would ultimately lead to Southern succession. (DF) Jackson created an ineffective democracy that caused American citizens to clash. Andrew Jackson's actions could be interpreted as both a defender of the common man and a powerful ruler who exploited the rights and will of the people. Throughout this period, as America was searching for its identity, many people disagreed with the way Jackson was governing the new nation. Some of Jackson's actions supported the common man, while other of his actions manipulated people's rights and created a democracy against the will of the people.