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The Making of Old Hickory

Jackson’s presidency began on a sunny spring-like day, March 4, 1829. Dressed in a simple black suit and without a hat, partly out of respect for recently deceased wife, Rachel, and partly in keeping with traditions of republican simplicity, Jackson made his way on foot along a thronged Pennsylvania Avenue. From the east portico of the capital, he delivered his inaugural address-inaudible except to those close by-in which he promised to be “animated by a proper respect” for the rights of the separate states. He then too the oath of office, placed his bible to his lips, and made a parting bow to the audience. With great difficulty, he made his way through the crowd, mounted his horse and head for the White House and what had been intended as a reception for “ladies and gentlemen.” What next took place has become a part of American political folklore. According to one observer, the White House was inundated by” by the rabble mob,” which, in its enthusiasm for the new president and the refreshments, almost crushed Jackson to death while making a shamble of the house. Finally, Jackson was extricated from the mob and taken to his temporary quarters at a nearby hotel. “The reign of King ‘Mob’ seemed triumphant that Jackson’s presidency was going to be different from that of any other predecessor. The familiar labels “The Age of Jackson” and “ Jacksonian Democracy” identified Andrew Jackson with the era in which he lived and with the advancement of political democracy. This honor may have exaggerated his importance, but it also acknowledged the important truth the Jackson significantly contributed to shaping the American nation and its politics. Just as contemporaneous artists so often depicted him astride his horse overseeing the battlefield, Jackson bestrode some of the key currents of nineteenth-century American political life. Jackson was a relative newcomer to national politics. Jackson was born March 15, 1767, in the Waxhaw settlement, a frontier border between North and South Carolina, when his earl life was marked by misfortunate and misadventure. His Scottish-Irish father had joined the tide of immigrants seeking improved economic and political conditions in the new world, only to die, after only two years, leaving his pregnant wife and two sons. The third son, whom she name Andrew after her late husband, was born just days later. As a young man during the Revolutionary War, Jackson lost his mother and both brothers. Despite these inauspicious beginnings, Jackson soon received some formal education at local academies and schools, and following the Revolution, he left the Waxhaw community to study law with two prominent members of the North Carolina bar. In the 1780’s, after finding little legal work in North Carolina, he migrated to Tennessee, where showed the good sense to identify himself with the Blount-Overton faction, a group of men bound together by politics, land speculation, and, increasingly, financial and banking interest. The eager, hardworking and talented young Jackson soon received a host of political awards. He became a public prosecutor, attorney general for the Metro District, delegated to the Tennessee constitutional convention, a member of Congress, a United States senator, and a judge of the Superior Court of Tennessee. By the year 1880, he was the leader of the Western branch of the Blount- Overton faction. Military positions also came Jackson’s way, and he gradually advanced from his appointment as judge advocate for the Davidson County militia in 1792 to be elected major general of the Tennessee militia a decade later. At the same time, he accumulated significant amounts of property, establishing himself as a member of the Tennessee elite by purchasing a plantation, first Hunter’s Hill and then, in 1804, at the Hermitage, near Nashville. Jackson’s enormous military success during the War of 1812, culminating in the Battle of New Orleans, made him a national hero, and during the winter of 1812-1822, political friends placed his name before the country as a presidential candidate in the election of 1824. His first presidential bid fell short, for in a four-way contest, Jackson wan a plurality of the popular vote but failed to receive an electoral majority. The decision rested with the House of Representative, and John Quincy Adams emerged as victorious after receiving the support of Henry Clay. When Adams appointed Clay as his secretary of state and heir appointment, Jackson alleged a “corrupt bargain.” Jackson himself always believed that the will of the people had been corruptly overturned, and he denounced Clay as “the Judas of the West.” Although it is unlikely that Adams and Clay made a secret deal, Jackson has a telling point in that Clay’s action deprived the popular candidate of the presidency. The incident strengthened Jackson’s conviction that a republic should be based on democratic principal of majority, not elite, rule. Four years later Old Henry was vindicated in the election of 1828. Jackson received about 56% of the popular vote and carried virtually every electoral vote south of the Potomac River and west of New Jersey. Yet Jackson’s victory was a product of a diverse coalition of group rater than a c cohesive political party. In addition to the original men from the campaign of 1824, there were the followers of New York’s Martin Van Buren and Jackson’s vice-president, South Carolina’s John C. Calhoun; former Federalist, and groups of “relief men,” who during the panic of 1819had bucked the establishment political interest by advocating reforms to help indebted farmers and artisans. Among Jackson’s first responsibilities as president was the administration of government, including his selection of cabinet and other personnel. Some Jackson’s men like the Virginia editor Thomas Ritchie, wanted Jackson to share power with an “old fashion consultative” cabinet, reflective of the cabinet’s increase status in the period following the war of 1812.But Jackson refused; he intended, instead, to control his cabinet. More than that, he was prepared to alter fundamentally the whole basis of presidential power by resting his authority directly on the people. The president, Jackson claimed, was “the direct representative of the American people.” The idea that the chief executive was the people’s direct representative became an established part of the presidential office, though, not all occupants were as skilled as Jackson in making political capital of it. At the time, it was controversial. One prominent editor complained that whereas formerly the president essential duty was to executive the law made by other government  branches, it had come to be claimed as “the true democracy, that the president is – THE GOVERNMENT! From the onset Jackson looked for advice from friends and associates not necessary the cabinet. Jackson’s handling of administrative matters also refuted opposition charges that he was incompetent and responsible. In Jackson’s day, presidents were expected to oversee the day-to day conduct of public business, such as appointments and removals, department reports, budgetary appropriations, and other administrative choirs. Jackson showed attention to details, consistency, and tact required of a good administrator. The Eaton affair was one of the first dilemmas Jackson had to deal with upon taking office. An alleged affair between Eaton, then Secretary of War and a woman named Peggy. Jackson stood by Eaton, but the affair spilled over into Jackson’s political life. Jackson also spent a great deal of time deal with Indian affairs. Jackson, despite the public outcry against removal of current Indian policies, Jackson promised liberal and equitable exchanges of their present land. Jackson’s political style was shown in his attack on the Second Bank of the United States. Jackson was able to curb the banks abuse and explore possible alternatives Slavery, once again became an issue of concern during Jackson administration. Jackson’s presidency coincided with the formation of state and national antislavery societies. The publication of William Lloyd Garrison LIBERATOR and the expansion of abolitionist’s efforts awaken the nation’s conscience. Although abolitionists focused primarily on nonpolitical tactics, their activities inevitably intruded into politics. During the last two years of the Jackson’s administration, therefore, the slavery issue was introduced to America politics for the first time. Jackson was almost seventy years old when he retired to Hermitage. He found comfort in the presence of his family and relation, particularly the children of his adopted son; Andrew Jackson, Jr. Jackson’s health was plagued by tuberculosis and dropsy. After hearing about the annexation of Texas in 1845 by congress, Jackson rejoiced. This news was followed by surgery which proved little to help Jackson’s condition. He died on Sunday, June 8, 1845.

Summary Andrew Jackson started out as a very unlikely candidate for becoming the President of the United States. Having lost his father before he was born, Jackson also lost his mother and two brothers. His education was limited, but Jackson found his way to law school on the tails of two prominent member of the bar. With little work in his home community of Waxhaw, he moved to Tennessee. There, things became better. Jackson became a member of the Blount- Overton faction. The membership leads to the opening of many political doors. The War of 1812 made Jackson a national hero. The Blount-Overton faction help place his name on the ballot for president in 1824, but he lost. Four years later he did win and made significant changes in issues dealing with presidential cabinets, the banking industry, Indian Affairs, and slavery.