AGE OF JACKSONAGE OF JACKSON Jackson's popularity was based Jackson's popularity was based

on the following: on the following: He was best known as an He was best known as an

Indian fighter war hero, Indian fighter war hero, although when elected although when elected president he was a wealthy president he was a wealthy man of property. man of property.

Jackson was a Jackson was a symbol of the symbol of the new age of new age of democracy—democracy—the "age of the "age of the common the common man." man."

He was both an average He was both an average and ideal American and and ideal American and was therefore able to was therefore able to draw support from every draw support from every section and social class. section and social class.

Jackson was supported by persons of Jackson was supported by persons of every political faith–even many every political faith–even many former Federalistsformer Federalists

Those of the Virginian orthodoxy Those of the Virginian orthodoxy was against him. Jefferson is was against him. Jefferson is supposed to have told Daniel supposed to have told Daniel Webster “He is one of the most unfit Webster “He is one of the most unfit men I know of for such a place...he men I know of for such a place...he is a dangerous man.”is a dangerous man.”

Jackson could be charming, and he Jackson could be charming, and he was basically honest; there was never was basically honest; there was never any doubt about his courage, either any doubt about his courage, either physical or moral. physical or moral.

He was a charismatic but not He was a charismatic but not intellectual leader; highly intellectual leader; highly intelligent, shrewd and practical. intelligent, shrewd and practical. A true westerner at heart, and a A true westerner at heart, and a slave holder, Jackson resented the slave holder, Jackson resented the North and East.  On the other North and East.  On the other hand, he did not buy into the hand, he did not buy into the growing states' rights philosophy growing states' rights philosophy that was beginning to grow that was beginning to grow stronger in that era. stronger in that era.

Jackson had reputation as a hotheaded Jackson had reputation as a hotheaded brawler who never forgave enemies.  He brawler who never forgave enemies.  He was not above using that reputation to was not above using that reputation to make an impression on people.  (make an impression on people.  (In a In a famous incident in the White House, he famous incident in the White House, he apparently lost his temper and fumed at apparently lost his temper and fumed at some unwelcome guests, who fled in some unwelcome guests, who fled in horror.  When they had gone, he turned horror.  When they had gone, he turned to an aide, grinned and said, "They to an aide, grinned and said, "They thought I was mad, didn't they?"thought I was mad, didn't they?"))

The Charles Dickinson duel: they used The Charles Dickinson duel: they used pistols at 24 feet. Jackson decided to let pistols at 24 feet. Jackson decided to let Dickinson, a dead shot, fire first; Jackson Dickinson, a dead shot, fire first; Jackson wore loose clothing to disguise his wore loose clothing to disguise his outline. Jackson took a hit in breast, then outline. Jackson took a hit in breast, then calmly fired.  The pistol was half cocked calmly fired.  The pistol was half cocked and didn't go off, but Jackson, in and didn't go off, but Jackson, in considerable pain from the bullet in his considerable pain from the bullet in his chest, re-cocked the pistol and fired chest, re-cocked the pistol and fired again, killing his opponentagain, killing his opponent

Dickerson DuelDickerson Duel

When Jackson died, an observer When Jackson died, an observer said, "If Andy Jackson decides on said, "If Andy Jackson decides on heaven, that’s where he’ll go!"heaven, that’s where he’ll go!"

His presidency was one piece of a long His presidency was one piece of a long struggle over the nature of government struggle over the nature of government power and authority: at which end of power and authority: at which end of Pennsylvania Avenue does the real power Pennsylvania Avenue does the real power reside: In Congress or the White House?  reside: In Congress or the White House?  Jackson saw the office of President as a Jackson saw the office of President as a protection against the power usurpers of protection against the power usurpers of the House, Senate and Supreme Court. the House, Senate and Supreme Court.