The Age of JacksonThe Age of Jackson““Power to the People”Power to the People”

The Making of “Old Hickory”The Making of “Old Hickory” Grew up in poverty in Grew up in poverty in

South CarolinaSouth Carolina Moved to TennesseeMoved to Tennessee Lacked formal education Lacked formal education Extremely proud, hot Extremely proud, hot

tempered, TOUGHtempered, TOUGH As general led militia As general led militia

forces to success against forces to success against the British in the War of the British in the War of 1812 at the Battle of New 1812 at the Battle of New Orleans.Orleans.

Determined, fierce Indian Determined, fierce Indian fighterfighter

Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson

PersonalPersonal Bright, mean, rugged, shrewd, held grudgesBright, mean, rugged, shrewd, held grudges Lean, 6’1 140 lbs muscular “Old Hickory”Lean, 6’1 140 lbs muscular “Old Hickory” Killed a Charles Dickinson in a 1806 duel over an Killed a Charles Dickinson in a 1806 duel over an

insult…”Poltroon and a coward…”insult…”Poltroon and a coward…” Carried abscessed bullet in his chest for the Carried abscessed bullet in his chest for the

remainder of his life.remainder of his life. ““My reputation is dearer to me than my life.”My reputation is dearer to me than my life.” Strong believer in states’ rightsStrong believer in states’ rights

Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson PoliticalPolitical ““Man of the People”Man of the People” PopulistPopulist 11stst Democrat Democrat Symbol: DonkeySymbol: Donkey Lost a controversial election to John Lost a controversial election to John Quincy Quincy

Adams in 1824 because he was Adams in 1824 because he was a political outsidera political outsider Routed Adams in 1828 and served two Routed Adams in 1828 and served two

terms: 1829 – 1837terms: 1829 – 1837 Believed in strong executive powerBelieved in strong executive power

Spoils SystemSpoils System: reward supporters with gov’t jobs. : reward supporters with gov’t jobs.

Political EnemiesPolitical Enemies Wealthy Eastern EstablishmentWealthy Eastern Establishment

1832- WAR AGAINST 1832- WAR AGAINST

THE 2ND NATIONAL BANK OF THE U.S.THE 2ND NATIONAL BANK OF THE U.S. Felt the Bank was unconstitutional and ignored the Felt the Bank was unconstitutional and ignored the

interests of the common man interests of the common man Feels Nat’l bank favors N. industry, not rural farmers.Feels Nat’l bank favors N. industry, not rural farmers. Favored State or “pet” banksFavored State or “pet” banks Argued 2Argued 2ndnd U.S. Bank leadership was corrupt U.S. Bank leadership was corrupt

( Nicholas Biddle)( Nicholas Biddle) Referred to the Bank as a “Hydra”Referred to the Bank as a “Hydra” “ “The bank is trying to kill me, Mr. Van Buren, but I The bank is trying to kill me, Mr. Van Buren, but I

will kill it.”will kill it.”

Jackson’s “Trail of Tears”Jackson’s “Trail of Tears” Felt Native Americans were inferior savagesFelt Native Americans were inferior savages Believed Indians were an impediment to western Believed Indians were an impediment to western

settlement by whites.settlement by whites. Indian Removal Act:Indian Removal Act: 1830: Cong. law 1830: Cong. law

– – five “civilized tribes” moved west to OK. five “civilized tribes” moved west to OK. Ignored the Supreme Court’s ruling in Ignored the Supreme Court’s ruling in Worcester v. Worcester v.

GeorgiaGeorgia, forcing relocation of the 5 Civilized Tribes , forcing relocation of the 5 Civilized Tribes to what would become Oklahoma.to what would become Oklahoma.

Trail of TearsTrail of Tears: 1838 16K Cherokees forced marched, : 1838 16K Cherokees forced marched, 4,000+ die4,000+ die

““King Andrew I”King Andrew I”

Present-day OklahomaPresent-day Oklahoma

Jackson’s LegacyJackson’s Legacy Political power extended to more peoplePolitical power extended to more people Universal male suffrageUniversal male suffrage 11stst president to stand up for the working class president to stand up for the working class ““The people are the sovereign power” The people are the sovereign power” Centralized banking restructuredCentralized banking restructured Increased power of the executive branchIncreased power of the executive branch Veto power exercised --“I am an independent Veto power exercised --“I am an independent

power!”power!” Patronage system developedPatronage system developed Trail of Tears Trail of Tears

President James K. Polk called him the President James K. Polk called him the greatest man of the agegreatest man of the age

Retired to his mansion outside of Nashville Retired to his mansion outside of Nashville known as the Hermitageknown as the Hermitage

Trivia: Old Hickory was the first target of Trivia: Old Hickory was the first target of presidential assassination. The culprit was presidential assassination. The culprit was beaten by Jackson when his gun misfired beaten by Jackson when his gun misfired TWICETWICE