Andrew JacksonBy Brad Kimball

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“The most famous American of his time, Andrew Jackson is a seminal figure in

American history. The first ‘common man’ to rise to the presidency, Jackson

embodied the spirit and the vision of the emerging American nation; the term

‘Jacksonian democracy’ is embodied in our national lexicon . . . It was Jackson’s

contributions as president that won him a place in the pantheon of America’s greatest

leaders. A man of the people, without formal education or the family lineage of the

Founding Fathers, he sought as president to make the country a genuine democracy,

governed by and for the people.”

– H. W. Brands

Jackson’s Legacy

Here are some interesting facts about

the many firsts of Jackson’s presidency…

Overview

Andrew Jackson was born on the 15th of March, 1767, in Waxhaws, between North Carolina and South Carolina.

He died at the age of 78 on June 8th, 1845.

Throughout his life, Jackson had several careers. He was a Lawyer, a Judge, a U.S. Senator, a U.S. Representative, and the President of the United States.

Jackson served two terms as President from March 4th, 1829, until March 4th, 1837.

He was the 7th President of the United States.

Jackson is known for his involvement in the downfall of the Second Bank of the United States, as well as his policies against Native Americans, which lead to the Trail of Tears.

Jackson also is the founder of the Democratic Party.

Birth & Parents

Andrew Jackson was born on March 15th, 1767.

His parents were Andrew Jackson Sr., and Elizabeth Hutchinson Jackson.

Andrew’s parents were immigrants who had come to America from Ireland

just two years earlier, in 1765.

Due to the fact that the exact borders of the colonies had not been surveyed

at the time of Jackson’s birth, it is unclear whether Andrew Jackson was born

in North Carolina or South Carolina, however, we do know that he was born

somewhere in the Waxhaws region, which lies on the border of the two

states.

Sadly, Andrew Jackson never knew his father, as he was born three weeks

after his fathers unexpected passing.

Early Childhood & The Revolutionary War

Jackson received very little formal education as a child.

In 1779, at the age of 13, Jackson joined a local militia upon hearing the news

that one of his older brothers, Hugh, had died in the Battle of Stono Ferry.

In 1781, Jackson was captured by the British army, along with his brother

Robert. While a prisoner, both Andrew, and his brother became infected with

smallpox, the disease that would ultimately lead to the death of his brother,

shortly after their release. Tragically, Jackson’s mother died of cholera soon

after their release as well. She contracted the disease tending to wounded

soldiers.

Jackson was left an orphan by the age of 14, and with the loss of both of his

brothers, as well as his mother to the Revolutionary War, Jackson developed a

strong animosity for the British.

Late teens to early twenties

In the absence of his parents, Jackson was raised by his uncles.

In his late teen years, Jackson studied Law, and in 1787, at the age of twenty,

he was admitted to the bar, thus beginning his career as a lawyer.

At the age of 21, Jackson earned the position of prosecuting attorney for a

district court, in what was then in the western part of North Carolina.

Shortly after, Jackson moved to Nashville Tennessee, where he purchased a

track of land, and would eventually become a wealthy landowner, as well as a

slave owner.

Political Career pre-presidency

In 1796, the state of Tennessee established its own state Constitution, and

Jackson was an integral part of the convention that drafted it.

After having established a Constitution, in the state of Tennessee, Jackson

was elected to be the first representative for the state in the U.S. House of

Representatives.

The following year, Jackson was elected Senator of Tennessee, however, he

served in this role for only eight months, after which, he resigned.

Jackson then served as a circuit judge for the Tennessee superior court from

1798 until 1804.

Slave Owner

In 1804, Jackson purchased a large cotton plantation called the Hermitage. It

was located in Davidson County, Tennessee.

At the time Jackson purchased the Hermitage, he owned nine African-

American slaves.

In 1845, when Jackson died, he had amassed a total of 150 slaves to work in

his plantations.

Military Career

In 1802, Jackson was appointed major general of the Tennessee militia.

As major general during the War of 1812, Jackson lead a successful campaign

against the Creek Indians and their British allies.

The Creek Indians, along with the British had previously murdered hundreds

of settlers in Fort Mims. However, Jackson defeated the Creek Indians in a

battle referred to as the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. This battle took place in

1814, and lead to the deaths of 800 warriors.

The result of the battle was the United States procurement of 20 million

acres of land.

This heroic victory lead to Jackson being promoted to major general of the

United States Military.

The War of 1812

In November of 1814, Jackson led his troops into Florida, which at the time

was a Spanish territory. He then captured Pensacola, an outpost in the

territory. After this move, he followed British troops to New Orleans.

Skirmishes between the British and the U.S. began in December of 1814,

however, on January 8th of 1815, a massive battle broke out in New Orleans.

The U.S. was outnumbered two-to-one, however, Jackson was able to lead

5,000 troops to victory over the British in the last major battle od the war of

1812. This battle is known as the Battle of New Orleans.

After this, Jackson earned the nickname “Old Hickory” because he was tough

like old hickory wood. He also won a Congressional gold metal.

Rise to Presidency

Due to his fame from his military success, Jackson earned a Pennsylvania nomination for the presidency in 1824.

Jackson won the popular vote, however, there was no majority in the electoral college, so the election was turned over to the House of Representatives.

A controversial deal was made between Henry Clay, the speaker of the house, and John Quincy Adams, Jackson’s primary opponent. With Clay’s support, Adams won the Election, and then named Clay secretary of state. This is known in history as “the Corrupt Bargain.”

Other politicians realized what had taken place, and in 1825, re-nominated Jackson for the presidential election which would take place in 1828. Jackson won the election, in a one-sided race against Adams.

In 1829, Jackson took office.

Second Bank of the United States

Jackson saw the Second Bank of the United States as a “government-

sponsored monopoly . . . a corrupt, elitist institution that manipulated paper

money and wielded too much power over the economy.”

Henry Clay, Jacksons opponent in the 1832 election thought that the bank was

necessary to support a strong economy.

Clay passed a bill through Congress that would have the effect of re-

chartering the institution, however, Jackson vetoed the bill, claiming that it

promoted “the advancement of the few at the expense of the many.”

Jackson’s view was popular with the American public, and he ultimately won

the election. Other attempts were made to re-charter the bank, however by

1836, the bank was forced to close its doors.

Indian Removal Act

Signed into law May 28th, 1830, the Indian Removal Act allowed Jackson to

forcibly displace Native American tribes from their ancestral lands, and move

them to new territories West of the Mississippi river.

One Cherokee tribe went to the Supreme Court, where it was ruled that the

state of Georgia did not have the authority to remove the tribe from their

lands. Jackson ignored the Supreme Court’s ruling however, and continued to

push for Indian Removal.

The Trail of tears, which occurred shortly after Jacksons presidency was in

large part the result of Jacksons influence.

The forced relocation of 15,000 Native Americans, now referred to as the Trail

of Tears, claimed an estimated 4,000 lives due to malnutrition and disease.

Wives

“Andrew Jackson the

widower” Rachel

Rachel Donelson Robards

Jackson

Andrew Jackson was Married to DonelsonRobards Jackson, who was previously married to Captain Lewis Robards.

The marriage was very controversial, because at the time, divorce was not something that was commonly done.

Donelson died of a heart attack on December 22nd, 1828, two months prior to Jackson’s inauguration as president.

Jackson blames her death on the vicious nature of the election, in which many people accused her of adultery.

Children

Andrew and Rachel Jackson had no biological children.

However, they did adopt three boys, two of which were Native American

orphans, and one of which was the biological son of Rachel’s brother Severn

Donelson.

Andrew Jackson’sDeath…

At the age of 78 on June 8th, 1845,

Andrew Jackson died of lead

poisoning, from two bullets that he

carried in his chest from dueling.

Bibliography

Brands, H. W. Andrew Jackson, His Life and times. New York: Doubleday, 2005. Print.

History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 04 July 2016. <http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/andrew-jackson/videos/andrew-jacksons-death?m=528e394da93ae&s=undefined&f=1&free=false>.

History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 04 July 2016. <http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/andrew-jackson/videos/andrew-jacksons-firsts>.

History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 04 July 2016. <http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/andrew-jackson/videos/andrew-jackson-the-widower>.

N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.biograhttp://www.biography.com/people/andrew-jackson-9350991phy.com/people/andrew-jackson-9350991>.

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