1. Objective: To examine the life and presidency of Andrew Jackson.

2. Jackson and the Frontier of Tennessee (6:40)
The Early Years
Andrew Jackson was born in a log cabin in the backwoods of the Carolinas in 1767.
Jackson joined the Patriots during the American Revolution at the age of 13.
Jackson’s Early Years (4:44) (click on the second square, entitled “Early Years”)
At the age of twenty, Jackson moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he eventually becomes a wealthy attorney.
Jackson and the Frontier of Tennessee (6:40)
(click on the third square, entitled “Tennessee”)

3. Entering Public Service
Jackson became the first person from Tennessee to serve in the House of Representatives and he also served as Senator before becoming President in 1828.
Young Congressman Jackson (1:40)
(click on the fourth square, entitled “Young Congressman Jackson”)
As a young general in the army, President James Monroe sent Jackson to protect the border of Florida against the Seminole and Creek Indians.
After defeating the Creeks battle, they began to refer to Jackson as “Sharp Knife” after Jackson forced them to give up lands that had been guaranteed to them in earlier treaties with the U.S.
Florida Invasion (2:16)
(click on the eighth square, entitled “Florida Invasion”)

4. Andrew Jackson: Hero of New Orleans (3:41)
Jackson also gained fame for his military achievements during the War of 1812 leading American forces to victory over the British in the Battle of New Orleans.
Jackson earned the nickname, “Old Hickory” after a soldier said that he was “tough as hickory.”
Andrew Jackson: Hero of New Orleans (3:41)

5. Elections of 1824 and 1828
Choosing from the top three vote getters, the House of Representatives selected John Quincy Adams to be the sixth president of the United States.
However, Jackson easily defeated Adams in the election of 1828 to become the first President from a western state.
While earning the most popular votes in the presidential election of 1824, Jackson did not receive enough electoral votes to secure the victory.
Presidential
Candidate
Electoral Votes
Popular Votes
John Quincy Adams
 84
108,740
Andrew Jackson 99
153,544
Henry Clay 37
  47,531
William H. Crawford 41
  40,856 +
Q: How many electoral votes were needed to win the election?
Q: How many electoral votes were needed to win the election?
A: 131 electoral votes were needed to win the election. =
261 total electoral votes 1 3 5 . 2 26 1 1

6. Jackson's Personality and Legacy (3:37)
Jacksonian Democracy
Jackson was extremely popular with the “common man”, which he considered to be farmers, factory workers and western frontiersmen.
Jackson's Personality and Legacy (3:37)
Jackson’s belief in shifting the political power from the wealthy and educated elite to the “common man” was part of what became known as Jacksonian democracy.
However, Jackson’s critics viewed his popularity as a danger sign that his presidency was coming to resemble that of a king.