Andrew Jackson's Early Years

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Questions and Answers

Where was Andrew Jackson born?

Eastern frontier of the Georgia colony

Western frontier of the Virginia colony

Western frontier of the South Carolina colony (correct)

Eastern frontier of the North Carolina colony

What was the age of Andrew Jackson when he joined the local militia during the Revolutionary War?

11 years old

16 years old

13 years old (correct)

15 years old

What was the outcome of Andrew Jackson's brother during the Revolutionary War?

He escaped and fled to another country

He was wounded but survived

He died as a result of the treatment by the British (correct)

He was captured and imprisoned

What was Andrew Jackson's profession before joining the army during the War of 1812?

Lawyer Signup and view all the answers

What was Andrew Jackson's most renowned military accomplishment?

Defense of New Orleans Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the 1824 presidential election?

John Quincy Adams was elected as the sixth U.S. president with Henry Clay's support Signup and view all the answers

What was the main difference between Andrew Jackson and John Quincy Adams in the 1824 presidential election?

Adams was formally educated, while Jackson was not Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of Andrew Jackson's supporters' discontent after the 1824 presidential election?

They created the Democratic Party Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the 1828 presidential election?

It was the first election where all white men in the United States were eligible to vote Signup and view all the answers

What unusual circumstance occurred in the 1828 presidential election?

John C. Calhoun, the incumbent vice president, switched parties to join Jackson Signup and view all the answers

What was a characteristic of the 1828 presidential election?

Extensive mudslinging and personal insults Signup and view all the answers

How did Andrew Jackson approach campaigning during the 1828 election?

He campaigned strongly and vehemently Signup and view all the answers

What was a key aspect of Andrew Jackson's political philosophy?

He sought to reduce government spending and curb large institutions Signup and view all the answers

What was one of Andrew Jackson's goals as president?

To abolish the electoral college and implement direct democracy Signup and view all the answers

What did Andrew Jackson believe was the key to the success of the common man?

Industry and economy Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Andrew Jackson's Early Years

Born in 1767 in the western frontier of the South Carolina colony
Childhood and early teenage years were spent in a rural and remote settlement, with few opportunities for formal education
Father died in a logging accident when Jackson was two years old
Joined the local militia at age 13, along with his brother, during the Revolutionary War
Both were captured by the British and poorly treated as prisoners of war, resulting in his brother's death and his own near-death experience
Mother died of cholera while treating other captured American soldiers
Studied law in Salisbury, North Carolina, and was admitted to the bar in 1787
Practiced law in the frontier territory of Tennessee before joining the U.S. army during the War of 1812
Defended New Orleans against a much larger British invasion force, earning renown for his military accomplishments

Election of 1824

Ran as one of four presidential candidates, receiving the highest plurality of both electoral and popular votes
John Quincy Adams came in second, but due to the lack of a clear majority, the 12th Amendment dictated that the House of Representatives decide the election
Adams was ultimately elected as the sixth U.S. president, with Henry Clay's support
Jackson was furious about his loss, labeling the affair as a "corrupt bargain"

Changing Political Landscape

Jackson's supporters splintered off to create the Democratic Party, resulting in the U.S. returning to a two-party system
Jackson's public withdrawal from the previous party and establishment of a separate political demarcation built an even stronger rhetorical position as an anti-establishment leader

Election of 1828

Ran against John Quincy Adams, who rebranded under the National Republican Party banner
Jackson's running mate was John C. Calhoun, who switched parties to join Jackson
The race was marked by extensive mudslinging and personal insults by both campaigns
Jackson won in a landslide with 178 electoral votes to Adams' 83, with 80% of qualified voters participating

Jackson's Presidency and Philosophy

Served as president for two consecutive terms, true to his mythos as the "common man"
Aims to curb large institutions, both public and private, viewing them as inherently corrupt and distant from the average citizen's needs
Sought to reduce large government spending projects, labeling them "pork-barrel" policies
Critical of large businesses, especially banks, and sought to dissolve monopolies
Believed that the government had been dominated by established elites, corrupt in their dealings with each other and the public
Codified the norm of transparency for all major government appointments
Sought to abolish the electoral college in favor of direct democracy for presidential elections