Donald Trump has often praised Andrew Jackson, calling him his favorite president. He’s drawn comparisons between himself and the seventh president, seeing a shared populist appeal and a fierce willingness to challenge elites. Trump even had a portrait of Jackson prominently displayed in the Oval Office during his presidency. Given that endorsement, I decided to take a closer look at Jackson’s life and leadership. What I found was a story far more complex than I expected – one filled with military triumph, political transformation, and a ruthless disregard for those who stood in his way.
Jackson was a war hero, a self-made man, and a defender of American sovereignty. But he was also responsible for some of the darkest policies in U.S. history. His presidency left behind a legacy of expansion and democracy for the common man, but it was built on the suffering of Native Americans and enslaved people. The deeper I dug, the more I realized just how contradictory this man was – a champion of the working class who operated with the mindset of an authoritarian ruler.
A Childhood Forged in War
Born in 1767 to Irish immigrant parents, Jackson’s early years were marked by chaos and violence. He was only a child when the Revolutionary War reached his home in the Carolina backcountry. His family fought on the Patriot side, and he personally witnessed the devastation of war. His older brother died in battle, and Jackson himself was taken prisoner by the British.
One encounter with a British officer left a lasting impression – when young Jackson refused to shine the officer’s boots, he was slashed across the face with a sword. That wound never fully faded, and neither did his hatred of the British. By the time he was an orphan at age 14, Jackson had already developed the fierce independence and unrelenting toughness that would define his entire life.
From Lawyer to Military Legend
Jackson didn’t come from wealth or privilege, yet he carved out a career for himself as a lawyer on the Tennessee frontier. By the time he was 20, he was practicing law, and he quickly climbed the ranks of Tennessee politics. But it was on the battlefield that Jackson truly made his name.
His brutal and effective campaigns against Native American tribes, especially during the Creek War, solidified his reputation as a fearless leader. His greatest moment of glory came in 1815 at the Battle of New Orleans, where his ragtag army of militia, free Black soldiers, and even pirates crushed the British. The battle was technically unnecessary – the War of 1812 had already ended – but news traveled slowly, and Jackson’s victory turned him into a national hero overnight.
A Warrior Who Answered to No One
Jackson’s military successes made him one of the most famous men in America, but they also revealed his disregard for authority. He often acted without orders, leading campaigns into Spanish-controlled Florida and executing British subjects he suspected of working against U.S. interests. These actions caused international incidents, but Jackson always justified them as necessary for American security.
His aggressive tactics helped the U.S. acquire Florida, but they also showed his tendency to operate like a dictator. He made decisions unilaterally, ignored legal constraints, and answered only to himself. This wouldn’t change when he became president.
The Rise of Jacksonian Democracy
When Jackson ran for president in 1824, he won the most votes but lost the presidency due to what became known as the “Corrupt Bargain.” Congress awarded the presidency to John Quincy Adams, enraging Jackson and his supporters. He spent the next four years campaigning relentlessly, painting himself as a champion of the people who would destroy the elites that had cheated him out of power.
By 1828, Jackson had built an unstoppable movement. He won the presidency in a landslide, fueled by working-class voters who saw him as their warrior against corruption. His election marked the birth of Jacksonian Democracy – an expansion of voting rights (for white men) and a shift away from aristocratic rule.
The Indian Removal Act—The Darkest Chapter
For all his talk of democracy, Jackson had no concern for the rights of Native Americans. One of his most infamous policies was the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which led to the forced relocation of tens of thousands of Native Americans from their ancestral lands. The Trail of Tears, which followed, resulted in the deaths of thousands due to starvation, disease, and exposure.
Jackson justified this policy as necessary for American expansion, arguing that Native Americans would never integrate into white society. He ignored Supreme Court rulings that opposed his actions and pushed forward regardless. This was the side of Jackson that believed in using force to achieve his goals, no matter the human cost.
His Obsession with Destroying the Bank
Another defining moment of Jackson’s presidency was his war against the Second Bank of the United States. Jackson saw the national bank as a corrupt institution that only benefited the wealthy elite. In an unprecedented move, he vetoed the bank’s recharter and withdrew all federal funds, effectively killing it.
While this won him favor with his supporters, it also destabilized the economy. The lack of a central financial system led to the Panic of 1837, a financial crisis that crippled the country shortly after Jackson left office. His refusal to compromise or listen to economic experts left the nation in chaos.
A Slaveowner Who Fought to Expand Slavery
Jackson wasn’t just a slaveowner – he was a staunch defender of slavery. He owned over 150 enslaved people at his Tennessee plantation, The Hermitage, and used brutal methods to keep them in line. Unlike some of his contemporaries, who at least entertained the idea of gradual emancipation, Jackson saw slavery as an unshakable part of American society.
When abolitionists began gaining traction, Jackson took aggressive steps to silence them. He supported laws that banned anti-slavery literature from being sent through the mail and used his presidential power to block any discussion of abolition in Congress.
A Temper That Led to Bloodshed
Jackson’s personal life was just as fiery as his politics. He was involved in multiple duels, most famously killing a man named Charles Dickinson after Dickinson insulted his wife. Even after being shot in the chest, Jackson stood his ground and fired back, proving that he would rather die than be dishonored.
This same unyielding temper made him a ruthless political operator. He didn’t just defeat opponents – he destroyed them. His presidency was marked by loyalty tests, purges of government officials who disagreed with him, and a willingness to bend the law when it suited his needs.
The First Attempted Assassination of a U.S. President
Jackson was the first sitting president to survive an assassination attempt. In 1835, a man named Richard Lawrence pulled two pistols on him, both of which miraculously misfired. Instead of retreating, Jackson attacked his would-be assassin with his cane, beating him until he was restrained by bystanders.
Even in the face of death, Jackson refused to back down. That same stubbornness defined his entire presidency – for better and for worse.
A Legacy of Power and Destruction
Andrew Jackson remains one of the most polarizing figures in American history. He revolutionized the presidency, expanding its power and making it a direct force of the people’s will. He redefined American democracy, but at the cost of countless lives.
Looking at Jackson through Trump’s lens, it’s easy to see the appeal – a leader who defies norms, thrives on conflict, and believes in strong executive power. But the deeper truth is that Jackson’s legacy is soaked in blood. He was both a hero and a tyrant, a man who shaped America while leaving behind scars that still haven’t fully healed.
Mark grew up in the heart of Texas, where tornadoes and extreme weather were a part of life. His early experiences sparked a fascination with emergency preparedness and homesteading. A father of three, Mark is dedicated to teaching families how to be self-sufficient, with a focus on food storage, DIY projects, and energy independence. His writing empowers everyday people to take small steps toward greater self-reliance without feeling overwhelmed.