
King Andrew the First is a political cartoon created by an unknown artist around 1832. It depicts the 7th US president, Andrew Jackson, as a king, wearing a crown and a flowing robe, and standing before a throne. The cartoon was created in response to Jackson's controversial veto of Congress's bill to recharter the Bank in July 1832, and his later order to remove federal deposits from the Bank of the United States. The print criticizes Jackson for exceeding his presidential authority and acting like a king who is above the law.
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What You'll Learn
- The painting is a political cartoon created by an unknown artist in 1832
- It depicts the 7th US President, Andrew Jackson, as a king
- It was created in response to Jackson's controversial veto of Congress's bill
- It was also in response to Jackson's removal of federal deposits from the Bank of the United States
- The painting was used to support presidential campaigns opposing Jackson

The painting is a political cartoon created by an unknown artist in 1832
The painting "King Andrew the First" is a political cartoon created by an unknown artist in 1832. The cartoon is a critique of the 7th President of the United States, Andrew Jackson, and his approach to governance. It depicts Jackson as a monarch, standing before a throne in a regal costume, reminiscent of a playing-card king. The imagery suggests that Jackson resembled an absolute monarchy, a form of government where a single ruler holds complete power, often without legal restrictions or checks from other governmental branches.
The cartoon was created during a transformative period in American politics and reflects the political climate of the time. It agreed with anti-Jackson beliefs and supported the Whig Party. Jackson's presidency was marked by his controversial use of veto power and patronage, which many saw as an overreach of his presidential authority.
The print is dated a year earlier by Weitenkampf, who also includes 20 lines of letterpress below the image, attacking Jackson as "a king who has placed himself above the law." This charge of exceeding the President's constitutional power was most widely associated with Jackson's 1833 removal order, for which he was criticized for acting without congressional approval.
"King Andrew the First" was likely issued during the Fall of 1833, in response to Jackson's order to remove federal deposits from the Bank of the United States, and his earlier veto of Congress's bill to recharter the Bank in July 1832. The cartoon was first shown in 1832 in the Library of Congress and was used during the 1832 presidential election to support campaigns opposing Jackson.
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It depicts the 7th US President, Andrew Jackson, as a king
"King Andrew the First" is the title of an American political cartoon created by an unknown artist around 1832. The cartoon depicts Andrew Jackson, the 7th President of the United States, as a king or a monarch. Jackson is shown standing before a throne in regal attire, including a flowing robe, fancy shoes, and a crown. In his hand, he holds a veto, referencing his controversial decision to veto Congress's bill to recharter the Second Bank of the United States in July 1832.
The cartoon was created in response to President Jackson's controversial use of his veto power, which many saw as an abuse of his presidential authority. The depiction of Jackson as a king symbolizes the belief that he was acting like a monarch, placing himself above the law and exceeding the constitutional powers of the presidency. The cartoon was used to support the Whig Party and oppose Jackson's reelection campaign in 1832, highlighting his executive overreach and the perception that he was consolidating power.
The image of Jackson trampling on the Constitution and the coat of arms of Pennsylvania, where the United States Bank was located, further emphasizes the critique of his abuse of power. The print also references Jackson's controversial order to remove federal deposits from the Bank of the United States in September 1833, which was seen as another example of him acting unilaterally and without congressional approval.
"King Andrew the First" is considered one of the most famous political cartoons of all time, capturing a pivotal moment in American political history and the ongoing debate about the role and powers of the presidency. The cartoon continues to resonate, as Andrew Jackson remains a divisive figure, with his legacy and actions as president still sparking discussion and analysis.
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It was created in response to Jackson's controversial veto of Congress's bill
"King Andrew the First" is the title of an American political cartoon created in 1832 by an unknown artist. The cartoon was created in response to President Andrew Jackson's controversial veto of Congress's bill to recharter the Second Bank of the United States.
The background to this controversy can be traced back to the Panic of 1819, which was a turning point in US economic history. This event guaranteed Jackson's election as president and solidified his beliefs about the need for a gold- and silver-backed currency to maintain a viable economy. During his presidency, Jackson had to contend with the Second Bank of the United States, led by its president, Nicholas Biddle. Biddle became Jackson's nemesis during the "Bank War."
In 1832, Congress passed a bill to recharter the Second Bank, but Jackson quickly vetoed it. He justified his decision based on his constitutional opposition to the bank and his fear that it promoted aristocracy. Jacksonians also believed that the bank contributed to US intervention in wars, acted as a monopoly, and received exclusive privileges from Congress. Additionally, they argued that the bank's stock was more than 20% controlled by foreigners.
The "King Andrew the First" cartoon depicts Jackson as a despotic monarch, standing before a throne in a regal costume reminiscent of a playing-card king. He holds a paper that says "veto" in one hand and a scepter in the other. Under his feet lie the tattered remains of the Constitution and the arms of Pennsylvania, where the United States Bank was located. The border of the picture includes phrases like "Born to Command" and "Of Veto Memory." This cartoon was displayed in the Library of Congress and was used to support anti-Jackson campaigns during the 1832 election, particularly those of the Whig Party.
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It was also in response to Jackson's removal of federal deposits from the Bank of the United States
The 1832 political cartoon "King Andrew the First" depicts Andrew Jackson, the 7th President of the United States, as a monarch. The cartoon is a response to Jackson's controversial decision to veto against the United States national bank deposits and remove federal funds from the Second Bank of the United States, also known as the “Bank War."
Jackson's actions were driven by his long-held distrust of banking systems and his advocacy for specie (gold and silver). He believed the bank was corrupt and served only the country's elite. On July 10, 1832, Jackson vetoed the government's effort to re-charter the Second Bank of the United States, marking a pivotal moment in his ongoing war against centralized banking. Jackson's ultimate goal was to dissolve the national bank and decentralize America's banking system.
To achieve his objectives, Jackson, along with his Kitchen Cabinet, devised a plan to remove the bank's federal deposits. In September 1833, Jackson removed all federal funds from the Second Bank, redistributing them to various state banks known as "pet banks." This action dealt a significant blow to the Second Bank, and by 1836, its charter had officially expired.
Jackson's removal of federal deposits from the bank had far-reaching consequences. It led to the emergence of the Whig Party, which opposed his perceived abuse of executive power. Additionally, his actions were blamed for contributing to the economic Panic of 1837, as they induced a financial downturn and impacted the country's financial and business centers.
The political cartoon "King Andrew the First" captures the sentiment of the time by portraying Jackson as a monarch with a scepter and a paper with "veto" written on it, symbolizing his unprecedented use of presidential veto power to dismantle the national bank. The cartoon aligns with anti-Jackson beliefs and expresses support for the Whig Party's opposition to his actions.
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The painting was used to support presidential campaigns opposing Jackson
"King Andrew the First" is an American political cartoon created by an unknown artist around 1832. The painting was used to support presidential campaigns opposing Jackson during the 1832 election. It agreed with anti-Jackson beliefs and supported the Whig Party.
The cartoon depicts the 7th United States President, Andrew Jackson, as a monarch, standing before a throne in a pose reminiscent of a playing-card king. Jackson is dressed in regal costume, holding a paper with "veto" written on it in his left hand and a sceptre in his right. The Constitution and the arms of Pennsylvania (where the United States Bank was located) lie in tatters under his feet.
The painting was a response to Jackson's controversial veto of Congress's bill to recharter the Bank in July 1832 and his subsequent removal of federal deposits from the Bank of the United States in September 1833. The charge of Jackson exceeding the President's constitutional power was widely advanced in connection with this removal order, for which he was strongly criticised for acting without congressional approval.
The painting, therefore, portrays Jackson as a "king who has placed himself above the law", attacking his use of the veto and implying he had exceeded his constitutional powers. It was used by the opposition to portray Jackson in a negative light and gain support for their campaigns against him.
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Frequently asked questions
"King Andrew the First" is the title of an American political cartoon created in 1832 by an unknown artist.
The cartoon depicts Andrew Jackson, the 7th president of the United States, as a despotic monarch.
The painting was created in response to Andrew Jackson's controversial veto of Congress's bill to recharter the Second Bank of the United States, a move seen as exceeding his presidential authority.
The painting criticizes Jackson for overreaching his constitutional powers and acting like a king, placing himself above the law.






















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