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The Birth of Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was born in the Garden of the Waxhaws, South Carolina. The son of Irish immigrants, Jackson spent much of his early life in the frontier regions of South Carolina and Tennessee. His father died from injuries sustained while lifting a heavy log, and his mother was left with few resources to support the family. Jackson received only a minimal formal education, but he learned a great deal about the practical realities of frontier life by interacting with the people around him. -
Andrew Jackson and The Revolutionary War
Andrew Jackson joined a local militia at age 13 and served as a patriot courier. Captured by the British along with his brother Robert in 1781, Jackson received a scar on his faced after he refused to polish the redcoats boots. They were released in a prisoner exchanged organized by their mother, but soon after his brother and mother passed away. At the age of 14, Jackson was orphaned, and the deaths of his family members during the Revolutionary War led to a lifelong antipathy of the British. -
Andrew Jackson, Getting an Education (Time Span: 1785-1798)
In his late teens, Jackson started reading law books. Through hard work he educated himself and became a lawyer in Tennessee. Jackson practiced law in Tennessee for several years, and when Tennessee became an official state, Jackson was elected as one of their Representatives in the House of Representatives. Mr. Jackson moved on to work in the Senate, but he resigned quickly and moved back home. In Tennessee, he began work as a Tennessee Supreme Court Judge. -
Andrew Jackson, The War of 1812
During the War of 1812 General Andrew Jackson led his troops through enemy territory to victory in several tide-turning battles. In doing so, he greatly aided our nation’s victory in the war. This led to the procurement of millions of acres in the present-day southern United States, including Florida. Just as significant, his victory ignited a spirit of confidence and patriotism across the nation at a time when it was desperately needed. -
Andrew Jackson, More Military Success
As a general, Andrew Jackson made quick, decisive actions to take the War of 1812 into his own hands, even if his troops were the underdogs. In doing so, he surprisingly defended New Orleans against a full-scale attack by the British, forcing them to withdraw from Louisiana. This unexpected victory launched an enormous sense of national pride as America began to realize its true potential. It also made Jackson the new American hero. -
Andrew Jackson and The Start of his Political Success
Jackson astounded the country with his sharp strategy in battle and go-getter attitude since he was a “common man” with no formal military training. This, along with winning New Orleans, put Jackson on the map politically for his road to the White House. After a long break from the Senate, Jackson returned to the US Senate where he served up until the time he ran for president in 1824. -
Andrew Jackson, Election of 1824
In the 1824 presidential contest, Jackson did not publicly advocate for his own election, in keeping with the tradition of the day. However Jackson did make it clear he was determined to cleanse government of corruption and return it to its earlier values. Though Jackson won the popular vote he did not win enough Electoral College votes to be elected. The decision fell to the House of Representatives who elected John Quincy Adams with House Speaker Henry Clay as Adams’ chief supporter. -
Andrew Jackson and The Suspicion About The Election of 1824
Andrew Jackson graciously accepted his defeat in the election of 1824, until rumors swirled that Clay and Adams had struck a deal to ensure Adams’ election. When Adams named Henry Clay as his Secretary of State, it confirmed Jackson’s suspicions that the two men had reached a “corrupt bargain” and deprived the American people of their popular choice for president. After this, Andrew Jackson started his campaign, and decided to run in 1828. -
Andrew Jackson Won The Election of 1828
In the fall of 1828, the decision fell to the voters and they overwhelmingly elected Jackson. The “common man” saw in Jackson a like-minded individual and thus sent him to Washington to take office and crush the power of the aristocrats. Voters trusted Jackson and saw his military accomplishments as an indication he would bring the same success in restoring honor to the government. -
The Signing of The Indian Removal Act
The Indian Removal Act was signed into law by President Andrew Jackson on May 28, 1830, authorizing the president to grant unsettled lands west of the Mississippi in exchange for Indian lands within existing state borders. A few tribes went peacefully, but many resisted the relocation policy. This was one of the worst decisions that Andrew Jackson made during his presidency. It was the cause of thousands of deaths along the trail of tears. -
Andrew Jackson's Reelection
In the election of 1832, Andrew Jackson ran against Henry Clay. Clay and Jackson put the issue of who or what was the greater danger to individual liberty, to the people. The people overwhelmingly re-elected Jackson. -
Andrew Jackson Clearing The National Debt
Jackson kept tabs on where the government was spending money. In one instance, he vetoed a road bill approved by Congress. On top of being too costly, the bill only benefited one area of the country and failed to improve the nation’s defenses. Jackson’s spending controls along with increased revenue enabled him to pay off the national debt in 1835 and keep the nation debt free for the remainder of his term. This is the only time in the nation’s history that the federal government was debt free. -
The Death of Andrew Jackson
After completing his second term in the White House, Andrew Jackson returned to the Hermitage, his home, where he died on June 8, 1845, at the age of 78. The cause of death was lead poisoning caused by two bullets that had remained in his chest for several years. He was buried in the plantation’s garden next to his beloved Rachel.
