Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson was the 7^th President of the United States of America. After his heroic leadership during the Battle of New Orleans in 1815, Jackson was celebrated as a national hero, and this popularity helped carry him to the White House in 1828. During his two terms at the head of the young nation, the man known as the American Lion strengthened the role of the president, paid off the national debt in full and narrowly averted the secession of South Carolina. However, more recent historians have lambasted his dismantling of the country’s national bank, tacit support for slavery and failure to prevent the mistreatment and forced resettlement of Native Americans on US territory. In just 50 minutes, you will learn about Jackson’s key decisions and policies during his presidency and their enduring impact on the American political landscape.

This straightforward and informative book provides a thorough discussion of the key moments in Jackson’s political career, including the War of 1812, his struggle with the Second Bank of the United States and the Nullification Crisis of 1832-1833. It also features a full biography, a valuable introduction to the political, social and economic context and an evaluation of the impact of Jackson’s presidency, giving you all the essential information about one of the most controversial presidents in US history.

About Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson was born on 15 March 1767, shortly after the death of his father. At the age of just 13, he served as a courier in the American Revolutionary War, and he was later wounded for refusing to clean a British officer’s boots. This, along with his role in the US victory in the War of 1812 and his intransigence on matters of policy, earned him a reputation for courage and patriotism and played a major role in his election to the presidency. He undeniably shaped American political life, but many of his actions as president have been condemned by later historians.

This clear and accessible 72-page book is structured as follows:

• Introduction to Andrew Jackson
• Biography of Andrew Jackson
  • Soldier at 13, orphan at 14
  • An unlikely election to the Senate
  • Military success and the presidency
• Political, social and economic context
  • The struggle for independence
  • Social change
  • The election of 1828
• Key moments
  • Struggle with the Second Bank of the United States (1832-1836)
  • The Nullification Crisis (1832-1833)
  • The forced resettlement of Native Americans to the West of the Mississippi River (1833-1838)
  • Moderation and severity in foreign policy
• Impact of Andrew Jackson’s presidency
  • Criticism
  • An undeniable legacy
  • Role in the developing US democracy
• Summary