What made Andrew Jackson such a controversial US president?
Apr 15, 2022 · 4 mins read
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A self-made man’s rise to power
It’s no coincidence that Donald Trump was the first president to openly admire Andrew Jackson. The man on the $20 bill is one of the most divisive figures in the history of US politics. He also has one of the most fascinating life stories you’ll ever hear…
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Born in the colonial Carolinas, Jackson had a harsh upbringing. At just 14 years old, he’s captured by the British and contracts smallpox while suffering starvation and abuse. Within a matter of months, Jackson remains the only member of his family still alive.
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At 21, Jackson moves to Nashville in order to practice law. This is when he begins to move up the political ranks, gradually becoming a state representative and a judge. But what really makes Jackson’s name is his reputation as a fighter...
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One of the biggest criticisms of Jackson is his temper. He’s so combative that he takes part in nearly 100 duels, according to some estimates, and even gets a bullet lodged beside his heart. If Jackson felt that his authority was being questioned, he had to fight – and win.
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As the Major General of Tennessee's state military, Jackson wins a string of clashes against Native Americans, as well as the Battle of New Orleans against the British. The latter is a pivotal achievement, effectively ending the war of 1812 and earning the US full independence.
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After becoming a senator for a second time, Jackson decides to run for president in 1824. He actually wins the most votes, but not enough for a majority. The House of Representatives gets the final call and they hand the presidency to his opponent, John Quincy Adams.
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Infuriated, Jackson runs again four years later. This time he orchestrates a grassroots campaign that takes aim at corrupt and privileged political insiders. He appeals to the working class by positioning himself as a self-made man and war hero. And guess what? It works.
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Jackson’s victory makes history in more ways than one. Up to that point, it wasn’t customary for presidential candidates to campaign – let alone to spin hyperbolic narratives or fight dirty. This moment transforms US politics and marks the beginning of “true majority rule”.
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Jackson’s feisty personality is partly rooted in social insecurity. Although in one sense he represents the South’s slave-owning gentry, he’s also an outsider who never forgets his humble beginnings – and that makes him self-conscious.
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Even so, Jackson is shrewd enough to use his reputation to outwit opponents. The push and pull of his most famous characteristics – the hair-trigger temper and calculated farsightedness – would shape a complex legacy unlike any other.
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