What approach did Andrew Jackson take towards the economic system of the United States?

Andrew Jackson took a firm stance against federal involvement in the economy, epitomized by his opposition to the Second Bank of the United States. He believed that the bank favored the wealthy elite at the expense of the common man, reflecting his populist ideology. Jackson viewed the bank as an institution that embodied corruption and concentrated economic power, and he made it a priority to dismantle it. His policies aimed to promote a more decentralized financial system, which he thought would empower ordinary citizens and promote democracy.

This opposition to federal economic institutions was consistent with his broader belief in limited government and states' rights. The removal of federal control from the banking system was seen as a way to enhance individual liberty and reduce what he perceived as its corrupting influence on American society and politics. Jackson's economic policies thus fostered a climate that diminished federal economic control, aligning with his vision of an agrarian democracy where ordinary citizens had greater control over their financial destinies.