Andrew Jackson Accomplishments

“I weep for the liberty of my country when I see at this early day of its successful experiment that corruption has been imputed to many members of the House of Representatives, and the rights of the people have been bartered for promises of office.” Andrew Jackson was an American war hero during the Revolutionary War as well as general in the war of 1812. He was the seventh president of the United States and the founder of the modern Democratic party. Andrew Jackson was born on March 15, 1767 into a family of Irish immigrants. He was raised in Carolina by a widowed mother and at the age of 13, Jackson signed up to help the American militia during the American Revolution working as a courier, taking messages between troops and leaders. After

Andrew Jackson began serving his country during the American Revolution working as a courier, taking messages between troops and leaders. One day in the Battle of Hanging Rock, Andrew Jackson was captured by British soldiers. The officer in command ordered Jackson to clean his boots, but Jackson refused. The officer raised his sword to strike a violent blow at Andrew's head. Jackson ducked and threw up his left hand. His hand was cut and he had a scar for the rest of his life. At the age of only 14, he proved that he was patriotic (President Andrew Jackson: Health & Medical History). As Andrew Jackson grew up, he became a very patriotic soul, and he joined the army during the war of 1812. When British forces threatened New Orleans, Jackson took command of the defenses, including militia from several western states and territories. He was a very resilient officer, but was very popular among his troops. Outnumbered at a mere 5,000 soldiers to the British troops of almost 7,500, Jackson used his strict methods and fought his way through the Battle of New Orleans and he made himself a hero. At the end of the battle, the British had 2,037 casualties: 291 dead, 1,262 wounded, and 484 captured or missing. The Americans had only71 casualties: 13 dead, 39 wounded, and 19 missing. The Americans had great victories under the command of Jackson. As well as being a heroic and

He put into power a new system of democracy that supported the common man. Jacksonian democracy was built on the following general principles, the first being the belief that voting rights should be given to all white men. By 1820, it was normal for any white man in America to vote, and the idea of owning property and paying taxes to vote had been dropped. The second idea was that America had a goal to settle the American West and to expand control from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific. According to author Clement Eaton, the Jacksonian democracy created “...the age of the common man, or at least of the recognition that he should enjoy equality of opportunity. It was the generation, therefore, in which an energetic few advanced rapidly to wealth and power” (“The Leaven of Democracy” Preface v). During the time of Jacksonian democracy, America flourished. The American West was growing, as well as the government becoming more centered toward the ideas of the American people. Another idea included the spoils system, which was the policy of placing political supporters into appointed offices. The idea included rotating political appointees in and out of office. The idea of modern democracy was one of the reasons America went into a beneficial state. Jackson was an important figure who created a new, flourishing, America, but others may