King Andrew the First
American political cartoon created by an unknown artist around 1833
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"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.
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| King Andrew the First | |
|---|---|
The picture of "King Andrew the First" | |
| Artist | Unknown |
| Year | 1832 |
| Medium | Lithograph on wove paper |
| Subject | Andrew Jackson |
| Dimensions | 31.7 cm × 21.4 cm (12.5 in × 8.4 in)[1] |
| Owner | The Library of Congress |
| Website | https://www.loc.gov/item/2008661753/ |
Description
The cartoon depicts the 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 (the United States Bank was located in Philadelphia) lie in tatters under his feet. A book labeled "Judiciary of the United States" is nearby.[2] Around the border of the picture there are the words "Born to Command", "Of Veto Memory", and "Had I Been Consulted".[3]
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.[4] He is depicted as a monarch because opposers often viewed Jackson as an abuser of his presidential powers; not obeying the laws.[5]
Historical usage
During the 1832 presidential election, "King Andrew the First" was used to support presidential campaigns opposing Jackson.[6] The drawing asks the popular question "Shall he reign over us, or shall the people rule?", that supported the anti-Jackson Whig Party.[7]