 "Presidents of the United States: Andrew Jackson, the populist warrior")
Editor’s Note: This profile is part of a series taking a closer look at US presidents ahead of the 2024 presidential election between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States, was a populist leader whose presidency marked a shift toward a more democratic and participatory style of American government.
Known for his fiery temper and military prowess, Jackson became a champion of the “common man” and left a lasting impact on the US through his policy of Indian removal, opposition to the national bank, and expansion of presidential power.
His time in office solidified what became known as Jacksonian Democracy, a political movement advocating for greater public participation in government and opposition to elites.
Jackson’s career
Andrew Jackson was born on March 15, 1767, in the Waxhaws region on the border of North and South Carolina. Raised in poverty, he was orphaned by the age of 14, and his early life was marked by hardship.
Despite these challenges, Jackson developed a fierce independence and a strong sense of duty to his country. During the American Revolutionary War, Jackson served as a young courier and was captured by British forces, an experience that instilled in him a lifelong disdain for Britain.
After studying law, Jackson became a frontier lawyer in Tennessee, where he quickly rose through the political ranks.
His military career took off during the War of 1812 when he led American forces to a decisive victory over the British at the Battle of New Orleans, which made him a national hero. His success in subsequent military campaigns, particularly against Native American tribes, further boosted his popularity.
The 1824 election
Jackson’s military fame catapulted him into politics. He was elected to the US Senate in 1823, and by 1824, he was a leading candidate for the presidency. Though he won the popular vote in the 1824 election, Jackson did not secure enough electoral votes to win outright.
The election was decided in the House of Representatives, which chose John Quincy Adams in what Jackson and his supporters called a “corrupt bargain.”
The outcome left Jackson embittered and set the stage for his successful presidential campaign in 1828, where he ran on a platform of greater democracy and political reform.
Jacksonian Democracy
Andrew Jackson was elected president in 1828, defeating John Quincy Adams. His inauguration ushered in what became known as the “Era of the Common Man.”
Jackson sought to make the government more responsive to the people, championing the rights of ordinary citizens over those of the political and economic elite.
His presidency marked the rise of Jacksonian Democracy, which put a spotlight on expanded suffrage (for white men), opposition to aristocracy, and the importance of majority rule.
Andrew & Rachel Jackson
Rachel Jackson was the wife of Andrew Jackson. She died shortly after his election win, never serving as first lady, a role taken by her niece, Emily Donelson.
Rachel was first married to Lewis Robards but eloped with Andrew Jackson in 1791, mistakenly believing her divorce was finalised. After it was revealed otherwise, they remarried in 1794.
Deeply religious and close to her husband, she endured personal attacks during the 1828 election, which Jackson believed contributed to her death.
Jackson’s presidency is noted for several key events and policies:
Indian Removal Act: One of the most controversial policies of Jackson’s presidency was the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which forcibly relocated Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the southeastern US to territories west of the Mississippi River.
This policy led to the infamous “Trail of Tears,” during which thousands of Native Americans died from exposure, disease, and starvation during their forced march to what is now Oklahoma. Jackson’s policy was deeply divisive and remains a dark chapter in US history.
Nullification Crisis: Jackson’s presidency faced a major constitutional crisis during the Nullification Crisis of 1832-1833, when South Carolina, led by Jackson’s former vice president John C Calhoun, declared that it had the right to nullify federal tariffs.
Jackson took a firm stand in favour of federal authority, threatening to use military force against South Carolina if it seceded. Ultimately, a compromise was reached, but Jackson’s firm response reinforced the supremacy of the federal government over the states.
The Bank War: Jackson’s opposition to the Second Bank of the United States was another defining feature of his presidency. He believed the bank was a corrupt institution that favoured the wealthy elite at the expense of ordinary Americans.
In 1832, Jackson vetoed the bill to recharter the bank and then moved to dismantle it by withdrawing federal deposits. This led to a fierce political battle known as the “Bank War,” which ended in the bank’s demise.
Jackson’s actions, however, contributed to financial instability and the eventual Panic of 1837, a severe economic downturn.
An assassination attempt
On January 30, 1835, Andrew Jackson became the first US president to survive an assassination attempt. Richard Lawrence, an unemployed house painter, tried to shoot Jackson with two pistols as the president was leaving a congressional funeral at the US Capitol.
Both pistols misfired, and Jackson, enraged, attacked Lawrence with his cane until he was subdued by bystanders. The incident highlighted Jackson’s physical toughness and further bolstered his reputation as a fearless leader.
Andrew Jackson’s divisive legacy
Jackson completed two terms as president, leaving office in 1837. His presidency had a profound impact on the American political landscape. His policies strengthened the executive branch, expanded the power of the presidency, and laid the foundation for the modern Democratic Party.
His advocacy for the “common man” and disdain for entrenched elites resonated with many voters, making him a populist icon.
However, Jackson’s legacy is also deeply controversial. His Indian removal policies and his expansion of slavery into new territories left a lasting stain on his record.
Moreover, his economic policies, particularly his destruction of the national bank, contributed to the financial instability that led to the Panic of 1837, which marred his successor’s presidency.
After leaving office, Jackson retired to his plantation, The Hermitage, in Tennessee, where he lived out his final years. He remained a powerful figure in the Democratic Party and an influential voice in American politics until his death on June 8, 1845.
His presidency marked a shift in the role of the executive branch, expanding its power and influence, and his populist style of politics continues to inspire political movements to this day.
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