1829-1837

Andrew Jackson

Vice President John C. Calhoun.

Andrew Jackson's First Inaugural Address.

Andrew Jackson's Second Inaugural Address.

Could Andrew Jackson get elected today?

Andrew Jackson might have been very controversial for his time. Yet is he really so different in comparison to the other Presidents.

Okay! Right? True no Indian would vote for him. Yes! The Trail of Tears will always be held against him. The same was true with L. B. Johnson. He was a great President yet he couldn't be reelected due to the Vietnam War.

Let's look at some of  Jackson's fascinating background before he became president of the United States.

Some might say Jackson was wrong with marrying another man's wife and even threatening her husband's life for implying that he Jackson was dishonoring the same. Yet Jackson had good reason one being that he had saved her of an abusive husband. Should Jackson as a lawyer have known the implications of the law, or was he already making he own laws?

Jackson had a fierce will and sometimes savage temper. Over  a horse-bet Jackson challenged Charles Dickinson to a duel very much according to the customs of the south. Dickinson fired the first shot, which broke two of Jackson's ribs and lodged two inches from his heart. Jackson aimed, shot and killed Dickinson.

Jackson had earned himself the predicate of being most decisive, competent, extraordinary driving general there was in his days. With his left arm in a sling, he won the Creek war 1813-1814.

Legendary is his Seminole War 1817,  which resulted in the acquisition of Florida. Under the pretends of chasing Seminole Indians over the border deep into Florida, Jackson took fort St. Marks and Pensacola the center of Spanish rule in Florida. He also had two British subjects hanged, calling them allies of the Indians. The Spanish demanded punishment for Jackson's deeds. However Secretary of  State John Quincy Adams berated the Spanish for not restraining their Indians. The American message to Spain being: "Keep the inhabitants of Florida in line, or we shall do it for you!"

By the time of the 1828 Presidential Election Andrew Jackson was a folk hero, a highly respected General and a man feared by many for his temper.

The 1828 election was one of the dirtiest ever. Jackson believed that his wife was driven to her .early grave by charges of immorality. Naturally all of Jackson's high-handed actions as General were brought up and there were quite a few.

On Jackson's side the new democratic organization, created all sorts of parades and identifying devices. Symbols of "Old Hickory" were everywhere. Hickory brooms also stood for 'Hickory' sweeping out the filth of corruption. People wanted a strong man as their President.

In December, it become obvious Jackson had won in a landslide. December 23rd Jackson's wife Rachel died, supposedly the cause was a certain political pamphlet, attacking her with very low blows about her morality.

The attacks on Jackson and his wife did not bring him down but made him stronger and many of his supporters related to him as being one of them, one of the people, instead of being just another rich man who gets the post of being President handed on a silver plate. Jackson was be no means considered to be wealthy.

1)Summary of his accomplishments: The Age of Jackson lasted roughly from 1815 - 1850 and is known as one of the great eras of change and reform in American history. It was the beginning of the abolitionist movement, the women's right movement, educational, prison and hospital reform. Under Jackson the right to vote was extended in most states to all white males over twenty one regardless of property holdings. Jackson was a man of limited education but his mental capacity was formidable. Jackson was the first people president picked by the people and seen as the most popular president since George Washington. Jackson's election was the first which allowed a Common man to be president. He was an awesome, puzzling figure. Jackson's demonic nature bordered on the superhuman in its power. He was one of the greatest of generals, a stickler of discipline, who made his own laws if necessary. He was a democratic autocrat. He was an urban savage, an atrocious saint who with the help of a kitchen cabinet of close advisors strengthened the role of government. Jackson extended the role of rewarding party supporters with government posts a practice which became known as spoils system.

2)Critique: Trail of Tears.

3)From a modern media perspective could he get elected today? No he couldn't be elected today. Yet I fully agree with Tom Logan, Jackson is the kind of guy action films are made from and books are written about, there is nothing dull about Jackson and I cannot help it but admire his uncompromising leadership abilities.

In an election campaign today Andrew Jackson would be shredded by news on television, radio, newspaper and internet into such small fractions that nobody would want to bother with him. Based upon his pre-election records marrying another man's wife, never mind how noble his motives were, he has no chance in today's word as a politician. Winning a battle after the war is over would not help him in our new society. His stand on questions regarding American Natives alone would be sufficient to ban him from the 21st century political arena.

About his private life: Would anyone have listened if Andrew Jackson would have had a casual affair with any young woman?

You be the Judge!

7 Andrew Jackson

Born: March 15, 1767, Waxhaw settlement, South Carolina.

Died: June 8, 1845.

Party: Democratic.

Age when inaugurated: 61.

Term: 1829-1837. Though he was a rich planter, Jackson was considered the common people's friend. Dubbed "Old Hickory" because he was so tough, Jackson greatly expanded the powers of the Presidency.

Famous Fact: Jackson was the first President to ride on a train.(Source: scholasticnetwork.com)

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last updated  05/22/04