King Andrew the First

For the Hungarian king, see Andrew I of Hungary.

"King Andrew the First"

"King Andrew the First" is an American political cartoon created by an unknown artist around 1832. ^[1] 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

The political cartoon 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. ^[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]

See also

• Amphitheatrum Johnsonianum

References

1. "King Andrew the First". Library of Congress . 1833.
2. King Andrew the First, 1833-01-01, retrieved 2025-02-27
3. "King Andrew the First | Library of Congress". www.loc.gov. Retrieved 2025-02-27.
4. "King Andrew the First". Library of Congress . 1833.
5. "Andrew Jackson Political Cartoons".
6. "Riding the Tiger—Miller Center". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-10-16.
7. "King Andrew the First". teva.contentdm.oclc.org. Retrieved 2025-02-27.