King Andrew the First

"King Andrew the First" is an American political cartoon created by an unknown artist around 1832. It agreed with anti-Jackson beliefs, in support of the Whig Party.

Description

The cartoon depicts the Presidents of [the United States|7th United States president], Andrew Jackson, as a monarch, standing before a throne in a reminiscent of a playing-card king. He is holding a paper with veto written on it in his left hand and a scepter in his right. The Constitution and the arms of Pennsylvania lie in tatters under his feet. A book labeled "Judiciary of the United States" is nearby. Around the border of the picture there are the words "Born to Command", "Of Veto Memory", and "Had I Been Consulted".

Purpose

King Andrew the First was first shown in 1832 in the Library of Congress and was a response to Jackson's veto against the United States national bank deposits in September. No one knows who the artist exactly was. He is depicted as a monarch because opposers often viewed Jackson as an abuser of his presidential powers; not obeying the laws.

Historical usage

During the 1832 presidential election, "King Andrew the First" was used to support presidential campaigns opposing Jackson. The drawing asks the popular question "Shall he reign over us, or shall the people rule?", that supported the anti-Jackson Whig Party.