Chapter 13 Section 1

Andrew Jackson was a self-made man from the ranks of the “common people”. Jackson’s story is the first rags to riches story. Before him all the Presidents have been well-educated men born into wealthy families.

 President Jackson’s childhood was cut short by the War of Independence. At the age of 13, he joined the local militia and was captured by British troops. One day an officer ordered Jackson to clean the officer’s boots. “Sir” the boy replied with stubborn pride, “I am a prisoner of War and I demand to be treated as such.” The outraged officer responded with the slash of his sword, gashing Jackson’s head and cutting his hand to the bone. Jackson carried those scars, and his hatred of the British to his grave.

 Andrew Jackson’s father had died before young Andrew was born. He lost both his brothers in the Revolutionary War. His mother died shortly after the war ended. At age 16, young Andrew was an orphan.  Jackson studied on his own and became a lawyer. He was also a judge, a cotton planter, and dealt in real estate. When Tennessee became a state in1796, Jackson was elected it’s first representative to Congress. A year later he became it’s first senator.  It was as a General where he gained national attention.(Battle of New Orleans 1815)

 In the election of 1824, sectionalism divided the Republicans. The party chose one candidate at a caucus. The caucus nominated William Crawford of Georgia to be the Republican candidate. However, other Republicans including John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, and Henry Clay also ran.  Caucus-a meeting of party leaders

 Popular Vote Electoral Vote  John Q. Adams 108,  Andrew Jackson 153,  Henry Clay 47,  William Crawford 46,  No one won the majority of electoral votes, so it was up to the House of Representatives to choose.

 Clay had come in fourth in the electoral vote, so he was out of the running. Clay urged his backers in the House of Rep. to support Adams.  As a result, John Quincy Adams became the 6 th POTUS. As president he named Henry Clay Secretary of State.  Jackson’s followers accused Adams and Clay of making a “corrupt bargain”. They promised to get revenge in the next election.

 With the loss in 1824, Jackson immediately began planning for the election of With Martin Van Buren’s help he formed the Democratic Party. The party planned to appeal to the ordinary people who gained suffrage. Their candidate, they claimed, would speak for “the people”-average Americans, rather than wealthy and the privileged.  Suffrage- the right to vote

 The election of 1828, between Jackson and Adams was marked by mudslinging. The focus was on the personal backgrounds of Adams and Jackson. Democrats falsely charged Adams with using taxpayers, money to buy gambling tables for the White House. Republicans unfairly accused Jackson of knowingly marrying his wife Rachel before the divorce from her first husband became final. They also called him a murderer for competing in duels.  mudslinging-wild charges and lies about political candidates

 When the Election of 1828 was over, Jackson was victorious. Andrew Jackson (Democrat) became the 7 th POTUS.  Many saw this election as a victory for government control by ordinary people-an idea that became to be known as Jacksonian Democracy.

Old Hickory POTUS Andrew Jackson 7 th POTUS