What Is Andrew Jackson's Behavior

Andrew Jackson was born in the Waxhaws region on March 15, 1767 to Irish immigrants Andrew and Elizabeth Hutchinson Jackson. Three months prior his birth Jackson’s father died suddenly in an accident. Andrew Jackson had two older brothers, Hugh and Robert Jackson. Their family remained in Waxhaws region, the land between South Carolina and North Carolina, along with some extended family that were also impoverished, Scottish-Irish immigrant farmers. During his childhood it was clear that Jackson did not have the traditional calm demeanor that was often found in our presidents later in life. Jackson enjoyed cursing, playing games, starting fights, and pulling pranks. This behavior can be seen later in his life as well. Amongst the fighting and cursing Jackson received little schooling, and what schooling he did receive

Although Jackson enjoyed his role of a patriot courier, the war had a devastating effect on his family. Jackson’s oldest brother, Hugh, perished from heat stroke in 1779 after the battle of Stono Ferry. Later in 1781, Andrew Jackson and his remaining brother, Robert Jackson, were captured by the British. While a British prisoner, Andrew Jackson was asked to shine a British officer’s boots. In traditional Jacksonian fashion, Jackson refused and the now angered redcoat officer lashed Jackson across the face with a sword, leaving him with a permanent facial scar. In addition, both brothers contracted smallpox while captured, only Andrew survived the disease. Jackson was returned to his family after his mother, Elizabeth, arranged a prisoner exchange. The Jackson’s were not yet free from tragedy as Andrew healed his mother joined the war effort and went to nurse injured soldiers. While doing her part she contracted cholera and died shortly thereafter. The death of his brothers and mother left Jackson with burning resentment and anger toward