Andrew Jackson Saint or Demon

Childhood  Never met his father  Mother and brothers killed during Rev.  Captured by the British at 13  Survived smallpox  No formal education  Never met his father  Mother and brothers killed during Rev.  Captured by the British at 13  Survived smallpox  No formal education "Andrew Jackson was the most roaring, rollicking, game-cocking, horse-racing, card-playing, mischievous fellow that ever lived in Salisbury." —A resident of Salisbury, North Carolina

Young Adulthood  Prosecutor in Nashville  Great demand  Bought property, horses and slaves  Reputation for brawling  Demolished taverns  Invited prostitutes to school dance  Moving outhouses  Prosecutor in Nashville  Great demand  Bought property, horses and slaves  Reputation for brawling  Demolished taverns  Invited prostitutes to school dance  Moving outhouses

Marriage  Rachel  Thought she was divorced – not  Extremely protective  Killed a man who insulted her  Rachel  Thought she was divorced – not  Extremely protective  Killed a man who insulted her

Military Career War of 1812  800 Indians killed  Took 20 million acres from natives  New Orleans – defeated British  After treaty had been signed Seminole War  In Florida against Seminole and Creek Indians  Executed British who assisted Indians  In Spanish Territory  Led to the annexation of Florida

Duels  Fought from 5 to 100

Election of 1824  Against John Q Adams  Jackson won popular vote  – not electoral vote   House of Representatives  Henry Clay persuaded against Jackson  Clay appointed Sec. of State under Adams  Against John Q Adams  Jackson won popular vote  – not electoral vote   House of Representatives  Henry Clay persuaded against Jackson  Clay appointed Sec. of State under Adams “I cannot believe that killing 2500 Englishmen at New Orleans qualifies him for the duties of the presidency.”

Election of 1828  Appealed to common people  Voting restrictions eased  Democratic Party  Appealed to common people  Voting restrictions eased  Democratic Party  Won in landslide  Wife died before he took office

Inauguration  Invited public  Could not keep them out of White House  Poured punch in tubs and put on lawn to lure them out  Invited public  Could not keep them out of White House  Poured punch in tubs and put on lawn to lure them out

Spoils System  To the victor  Reward loyalty  Some incompetent  To the victor  Reward loyalty  Some incompetent

National Bank  Charter not renewed  Private banks opened  Inflation with paper $  Specie Circular  Only pay with gold  Banks did not have enough – collapsed  Panic - depression  Charter not renewed  Private banks opened  Inflation with paper $  Specie Circular  Only pay with gold  Banks did not have enough – collapsed  Panic - depression

Indian Removal Act  Gov. buy Tribal lands in exchange for land beyond Mississippi  Cherokee removal treaty signed by John Ridge, not recognized leader  Refused to leave – forced by troops  Gov. buy Tribal lands in exchange for land beyond Mississippi  Cherokee removal treaty signed by John Ridge, not recognized leader  Refused to leave – forced by troops  Trail of Tears

Scandals  Petticoat Affair  Peggy O’Neil Timberlake  Husband death  Suicide? Infidelity?  Sec. of War Eaton  Snubbed by Cabinet wives  Repercussions  Calhoun dumped as VP  Entire cabinet replaced – except postmaster  Petticoat Affair  Peggy O’Neil Timberlake  Husband death  Suicide? Infidelity?  Sec. of War Eaton  Snubbed by Cabinet wives  Repercussions  Calhoun dumped as VP  Entire cabinet replaced – except postmaster

Nullification Crisis  Tariffs on goods made in Europe  Protected Northern states manufacturers  South had to pay more for goods  South could nullify laws against their interest  Force bill – send troops to enforce tariff  Compromise tariff – reduced  V3-rg V3-rg  Tariffs on goods made in Europe  Protected Northern states manufacturers  South had to pay more for goods  South could nullify laws against their interest  Force bill – send troops to enforce tariff  Compromise tariff – reduced  V3-rg V3-rg

Slavery  Abolitionist mail  South intercepts – refuses to deliver  Jackson backs South  Gag rule (no Congressional discussion of slavery issues.)  Abolitionist mail  South intercepts – refuses to deliver  Jackson backs South  Gag rule (no Congressional discussion of slavery issues.)

Assassination Attempt  Outside of capitol  Richard Lawrence  Unemployed  Deranged  Shot twice – both misfired  Jackson attacked with cane  Outside of capitol  Richard Lawrence  Unemployed  Deranged  Shot twice – both misfired  Jackson attacked with cane

Legacy  Two party system  Presidential power  Veto frequently  Union over states rights  Depression  Indian reparations? "I have only two regrets-that I have not shot Henry Clay or hanged John C. Calhoun." —Words allegedly spoken by Andrew Jackson upon leaving the White House