What did Jackson mean when he stated, "The bank is trying to kill me but I will kill it"?

When Jackson declared, "The bank is trying to kill me but I will kill it," he was expressing his strong opposition to the Second Bank of the United States and indicating his intent to dismantle it. This statement reflects Jackson's belief that the bank represented a powerful and corrupt entity that undermined the power of the common people and concentrated wealth among a privileged few.

Jackson's presidency was marked by his populist approach, where he viewed the central bank as an institution that favored the elite at the expense of ordinary citizens. He believed that it was detrimental to the nation’s economic health and that it had too much influence over the government and the economy.

The decision to eliminate the central bank was a key part of his economic policy, which included withdrawing federal funds from the bank and ultimately contributing to its demise. This aligns with the broader context of Jackson's "Bank War," where he campaigned vigorously against the bank and rallied public support to undermine its authority, culminating in the refusal to renew its charter in 1836.

Thus, Jackson's statement encapsulates his resolve to dismantle an institution he viewed as a threat to democratic and economic principles, making the choice of planning to eliminate the central bank the most appropriate interpretation of his words.