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Andrew Jackson's Birth
Andrew Jackson was born in a country settlement in Carolina. He received little education as a child. -
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Revolutionary War
At age 13, Jackson joined the American militia. He worked as a courier delivering messages between troops and leaders. Andrew and his brother Robert were captured by the British, but were released by their mother. Both Robert and his mother, Elizabeth, later died. -
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Education
Jackson educated himself throughout the 1780's. In his late teens, Jackson read and studied law books. His hard work eventually paid off when he became a lawyer in Tennessee. -
U.S. Representative
Jackson had practiced law in Tennessee as a lawyer for many years and when Tennessee became an official state, Jackson was elected as a Representative. He stayed in the House of Representatives for a couple of years before he moved on to the the Senate. He later returned to Tennessee to be a Supreme Court Judge. -
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War of 1812
Jackson was appointed a general and sent to New Orleans to defend a British attack. He won this battle and kept New Orleans for America. This victory gave him the recognition that helped him eventually become president. -
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The Creek War
During this war, Andrew Jackson was an army general. Jackson led the American militia against the native Creeks in many battles. One of these battles was the Battle of Horseshoe Bend where he increased his popularity. -
Jackson Runs for President
Jackson ran for president against John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay. Jackson had the most popular and electoral votes but still lost. Many say it was a corrupt bargain because Henry Clay told his supporters to vote for Adams so he could be Secretary of State. -
Jackson Becomes President
This election was a rematch between Jackson and Adams. Adams was a National Republican and Jackson was a Democrat. Jackson won this election by a landslide. -
Indian Removal Act
In 1830, Jackson put a new law into effect. This opposed the Supreme Court ruling in Worcester v. Georgia which stated Georgia's laws had no force in Cherokee territories. This act gave the natives new territories in the west in exchange for their current land. -
Federal Debt
Jackson made a large effort to pay off the national debt while president. He controlled spending and received an increased revenue, which made him able to pay off the debt. This was the only time in history that the nation's debt was completely paid off. -
Assassination Attempt
Jackson was the first president to experience an assassination attempt. As Jackson was leaving a Congressional funeral held at the Capitol building, Richard Lawrence shot at him but both his guns misfired. 67 year old Jackson then clubbed then clubbed Lawrence with his cane several times until Jackson's aides pulled Lawrence away from him. -
Andrew Jackson's Death
Jackson passed away in the June of 1845 after retiring to his plantation home.
