Andrew Jackson
| Andrew Jackson | |
|---|---|
| File:Andrew Jackson Presidential Portrait.jpg | |
| Order | 7th President of the United States |
| In office | March 4, 1829 – March 4, 1837 |
| Vice President | John C. Calhoun (1829–1832) Martin Van Buren (1833–1837) |
| Preceded by | John Quincy Adams |
| Succeeded by | Martin Van Buren |
| Born | March 15, 1767 Waxhaws region, Carolinas (disputed), United States |
| Political Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Rachel Donelson Jackson (m. 1794–1828) |
| Children | Andrew Jackson Jr. (adopted); several wards |
| Profession | Lawyer, soldier, planter, judge, politician |
| Alma mater | Read law (no formal college) |
| Signature | 
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Andrew Jackson (March 15, 1767 – June 8, 1845) was the 7th president of the United States (1829–1837). A war hero and frontier lawyer, Jackson forged the Democratic Party, expanded executive power, and championed what he called the “common man.” His presidency is also criticized for policies toward Native Americans, especially the Indian Removal Act and the resulting Trail of Tears.
Early Life and Legal Career
Jackson was born in the Waxhaws on the border of the Carolinas. Orphaned during the Revolutionary War, he studied law, moved to Tennessee, and became a prominent attorney, landowner, and judge of the Tennessee Superior Court.
Military Fame
During the War of 1812, Jackson defeated the Red Stick Creeks and won a stunning victory over the British at the Battle of New Orleans (1815), becoming a national hero. He later led U.S. forces in the First Seminole War, accelerating U.S. control in Florida.
Rise in Politics
Jackson served in the U.S. House and Senate and was a delegate to Tennessee’s constitutional convention. After narrowly losing the 1824 election (decided in the House), he won decisively in 1828, portraying himself as the people’s champion against elite interests.
Presidency (1829–1837)
Jackson’s presidency reshaped American politics:
- Spoils system: Expanded partisan appointments, arguing rotation in office promoted democracy.
- Nullification Crisis (1832–1833): Confronted South Carolina’s attempt to nullify federal tariffs; asserted federal supremacy while supporting a compromise tariff.
- Bank War: Vetoed recharter of the Second Bank of the United States and removed federal deposits, casting the Bank as a privileged monopoly.
- Indian Removal Act (1830): Authorized treaties to relocate Native nations west of the Mississippi. Implementation led to forced removals and the Trail of Tears, a major moral and human tragedy.
- Executive power: Assertively used the veto and strengthened the presidency as an independent branch. Survived the first presidential assassination attempt (1835).
Later Life
Jackson retired to The Hermitage near Nashville, remaining an influential party elder. He continued to advise Democratic leaders, including his chosen successor, Martin Van Buren. Jackson died in 1845.
Legacy
Jackson’s legacy is deeply mixed: admired for expanding democratic participation and executive leadership; condemned for slavery, aggressive expansion, and removal policies toward Native Americans. His impact on party politics and the modern presidency is enduring.