Describe the strengths and weaknesses of Jackson's transformational presidency.

One of Jackson's strengths was his defense of the Union. Though he was a staunch supporter of states' rights, he defended the preservation of the Union during the crisis over tariffs in South Carolina. His vice president, John Calhoun, supported the policy of "nullification," or the ability of states to declare federal rules null and void. Calhoun supported the idea that South Carolina did not have to abide by federal tariffs, until Jackson passed a bill that enabled him to use force to enforce the tariffs. As a result, South Carolina backed down. In the end, Jackson's efforts preserved the Union.
One of Jackson's weakness was his shortsightedness in not standing behind the Supreme Court, which had ruled that the state of Georgia had no right to remove the Cherokee people from their ancestral lands. As Jackson would not enforce this decision, the Cherokee were removed to western lands, and many tragically died along the Trail of Tears. In addition to harming the Cherokee, Jackson did not enforce the decision of the Supreme Court. A president has the duty to enforce the Supreme Court's decisions, and Jackson's failure to do so hurt the nation and the authority of the court.

One strength of the Jackson presidency was his ability to get the common man involved in politics.  Voter participation increased during his presidency and would remain high throughout the nineteenth century.  Another strength was his solving of the Nullification Crisis.  Jackson promised to lead federal troops into South Carolina personally if the state tried to secede.  This quickly put an end to that problem and probably prevented the Civil War from happening earlier.  Jackson strengthened the office of the president through his use of the veto, and he became the face of popular politics and the Democratic Party.  
Jackson's failures as president were also quite significant.  Jackson's closing of the Bank of the United States led to the Panic of 1837.  Jackson's personal battles with his enemies created the Whig Party, and this would further drive a rift in sectional politics.  Jackson also removed the Five Civilized Tribes, even though Chief Justice John Marshall sided with the Native Americans.  As a result, the Trail of Tears killed thousands and created an Indian Territory in Oklahoma.