Andrew Jackson
Born 1767 · Age 258
Seventh president of the United States (1829–1837); U.S. Army general, Tennessee lawyer, planter, and key figure in the rise of Jacksonian Democracy. Controversial legacy due to populist politics and policies including Indian removal and extensive slaveholding.
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Life & Career Timeline
Father dies three weeks before his birth
Jackson's father, Andrew Jackson Sr., died about three weeks before Jackson's birth.
Born in the Waxhaws region
Andrew Jackson was born on March 15, 1767 in the Waxhaws (disputed North/South Carolina border region).
Participated in militia activities; present at Battle of Hanging Rock
As a youth, Jackson and his brothers served on the Patriot side and took part in militia drills and were present at the Battle of Hanging Rock.
Captured by the British and wounded; contracted smallpox; became an orphan
In April 1781 Jackson and his brother were captured; Jackson was slashed by an officer and later contracted smallpox. His brother Robert died shortly after release and his mother died soon thereafter—Jackson was orphaned about age 14.
Left Waxhaws to study law in Salisbury, NC
Jackson left the Waxhaws region to study law in Salisbury, North Carolina under Spruce Macay and later John Stokes.
Admitted to the North Carolina bar
Jackson completed his legal training and was admitted to the North Carolina bar in September 1787.
Appointed prosecuting attorney for the Western District (later Tennessee)
With help from friend John McNairy, Jackson was appointed prosecuting attorney in the Western District (future Tennessee) and moved to the frontier town of Nashville to begin practice.
Bought his first enslaved person
While traveling to assume his prosecuting-attorney post, Jackson purchased his first slave, a young woman about his age.
Fought first duel (Waightstill Avery)
Jackson fought a duel with lawyer Waightstill Avery early in his career; both fired in the air and the matter ended without bloodshed.
Appointed attorney general of the Mero District
Jackson became attorney general of the Mero District (Tennessee territory).
Appointed judge-advocate for the militia
Jackson was named judge-advocate of the militia, increasing his military-legal responsibilities in the territory.
Rachel Robards divorce finalized
Rachel Robards' divorce from Lewis Robards was granted in 1793 (basis: her infidelity), clearing the way for her later marriage to Jackson.
Married Rachel Donelson Robards (legally)
Jackson and Rachel married legally in January 1794 after earlier cohabitation and the resolution of her prior divorce.
Acquired Hunter's Hill plantation and elected to Tennessee constitutional convention
Jackson and Rachel acquired Hunter's Hill (640 acres) near Nashville; Jackson served as a delegate to Tennessee's constitutional convention the same year (statehood).
Elected as first U.S. Representative from Tennessee (at-large)
Jackson served in the U.S. House representing Tennessee after statehood; tenure lasted about 10 months.
Elected to U.S. Senate (first term)
Jackson was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1797 but served only about six months before resigning.
Appointed Justice, Tennessee Superior Court
Governor John Sevier appointed Jackson to the Tennessee Superior Court; he served from June 1798 until June 1804.
Land speculation and partnership with John Overton
Jackson engaged in land speculation and formed a long-term partnership with John Overton, participating in early Tennessee land deals and town planning (including part of Memphis formation).
Appointed colonel of the Tennessee militia; elected commander
Jackson was appointed colonel and then elected commander of the Tennessee militia, beginning deeper military involvement.
Elected Major General of Tennessee militia
Jackson became major general (commander) of the Tennessee militia via officer vote; contested tie was broken in his favor.
Owned nine enslaved people (recorded)
Contemporary records show Jackson owned nine enslaved persons in 1804.
Resigned judgeship; purchased the Hermitage plantation
Jackson resigned from the Tennessee Superior Court and bought a 420-acre plantation near Nashville later known as the Hermitage, rebuilding after financial setbacks.
Plantation and slavery growth milestone (census snapshots)
Recorded slaveholding: 9 enslaved people (1804); by 1820 Jackson owned over 100; by his death he owned over 150 (lifetime total ~300).
Hosted Aaron Burr (Burr conspiracy involvement)
Aaron Burr stayed at the Hermitage in 1805 and persuaded Jackson to join or support a planned expedition; Jackson later organized militia to capture conspirators and testified in treason matters (Burr trial 1807).
Duel with Charles Dickinson; Dickinson killed
On May 30 (commonly reported May 1806) Jackson dueled Charles Dickinson; Dickinson fired first and mortally wounded Jackson, who returned fire and killed Dickinson. Jackson carried the chest wound the rest of his life.
Enlisted 2,000 volunteers for Natchez/New Orleans; march earns 'Old Hickory' nickname
After offering his services in the War of 1812, Jackson enlisted over 2,000 volunteers in January 1813 and later led difficult marches, earning the nickname 'Hickory'/'Old Hickory'.
Battle of Tallushatchee and Battle of Talladega (Creek War)
Jackson's cavalry under John Coffee defeated Red Stick Creeks at Tallushatchee (Nov 3) and Jackson defeated another band at Talladega later in November 1813.
Battle of Horseshoe Bend (Tohopeka) decisive victory
Jackson led combined forces (regulars, militia, allied Cherokee/Choctaw/Creek) to rout the Red Sticks at Horseshoe Bend, effectively breaking the Red Sticks' power.
Appointed brigadier general in U.S. Army
On June 8, 1814 Jackson was appointed a brigadier general in the U.S. Army.
Brevetted major general with command of Seventh Military District
Approximately 10 days after his brigadier appointment, Jackson was breveted major general with command of the Seventh Military District (including Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi Territory, and Muscogee lands).
Treaty of Fort Jackson—Creeks cede 23,000,000 acres
Following Jackson's campaign, the Treaty of Fort Jackson required the Creek to surrender 23,000,000 acres to the United States.
Battle of Pensacola (captures Spanish/British positions)
Jackson moved into Spanish Florida and defeated Spanish/British forces at Pensacola on November 7, 1814.
Arrived in New Orleans to prepare defenses
Jackson arrived on December 1, 1814 and instituted measures (including martial law) to defend New Orleans against an expected British attack.
Battle of New Orleans—major victory
Jackson's forces decisively defeated a British assault on Jan 8, 1815; huge British casualties made Jackson a national hero.
Received Thanks of Congress and Congressional Gold Medal
Congress formally thanked Jackson and awarded him a Congressional Gold Medal for the victory at New Orleans.
Negotiated multiple Native American land cessions (began 1816)
As an Indian commissioner/plenipotentiary Jackson negotiated treaties (e.g., Turkeytown, Tuscaloosa, Doak's Stand) between 1816 and 1820 leading to large land cessions.
Destroyed the 'Negro Fort' at Prospect Bluff
Jackson ordered the capture and destruction of the Negro Fort in July 1816, dispersing its garrison and affecting escape networks for enslaved people.
Ordered to lead campaign that initiated First Seminole War
Secretary of War John C. Calhoun ordered Jackson in December 1817 to lead a southern campaign; Jackson later invaded Florida and occupied Spanish posts.
Invasion of Florida and execution of Ambrister and Arbuthnot
Jackson invaded Florida (1818), captured St. Marks and Pensacola in earlier actions, and executed British subjects Robert Ambrister and Alexander Arbuthnot after a brief trial—provoking international incident.
Completed negotiations for the 'Jackson Purchase' (Chickasaw lands)
Jackson helped complete negotiations allowing Tennessee to purchase Chickasaw lands—facilitating settlement and formation of Memphis.
Adams–Onís Treaty effect and congressional investigation exoneration
Jackson's actions helped prompt Spain's sale of Florida (Adams–Onís Treaty 1819); a Feb 1819 congressional investigation exonerated Jackson of wrongdoing in his Florida actions.
Owned over 100 enslaved people
By the 1820 period Jackson had grown his workforce to more than 100 enslaved people at the Hermitage.
Appointed Military Governor of Florida (first U.S. military governor)
Jackson briefly served as Florida's first military governor after transfer from Spain, March–December 1821.
Elected Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Tennessee (Freemasons)
Jackson served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee, 1822–1823.
Returned to U.S. Senate (second term begins)
Jackson took a U.S. Senate seat on March 4, 1823 (served until Oct 14, 1825) while political managers prepared a presidential run.
Ran for President—won popular and electoral pluralities; 'Corrupt Bargain' controversy
Jackson won the plurality of both popular and electoral votes in the 1824 election but no majority; the House selected John Quincy Adams with Henry Clay's support, producing charges of a 'corrupt bargain'.
Allegations of 'Corrupt Bargain' after House election
After the 1824 contingent House election and Henry Clay's appointment as Secretary of State, Jackson's supporters alleged a 'corrupt bargain' between Adams and Clay.
Resigned Senate and returned to Tennessee after 1824 election dispute
Following the 1824 contingent election and political fallout Jackson resigned his Senate seat and returned to the Hermitage.
Rise of the Democratic Party coalition
Jackson's 1824–28 movement of supporters evolved into a new political coalition that became the Democratic Party in the 1830s.
Elected President of the United States (1828)
Jackson decisively defeated incumbent John Quincy Adams in the 1828 presidential election, running as the people's candidate.
Death of wife Rachel Donelson Jackson
Rachel Jackson died December 22, 1828 (Jackson believed campaign attacks hastened her death).
Arrived in Washington, D.C. to prepare presidency
Jackson arrived Feb 11, 1829 to assemble his cabinet and prepare for inauguration.
Inaugurated as 7th President
Jackson was inaugurated on March 4, 1829; inaugural crowd (15,000–20,000) swarmed the White House, symbolizing populist politics.
Indian Removal Act passed by Congress
Congress passed the Indian Removal Act (May 26, 1830), enabling forced relocation of southeastern tribes; led to tens of thousands displaced and the Trail of Tears.
Vetoed Maysville Road bill
Jackson vetoed the Maysville Road bill (May 27, 1830) on grounds it was a local project and should not be federally funded—seen as a rebuke to Henry Clay.
Peggy Eaton affair reshapes cabinet
The Peggy Eaton controversy divided Jackson's administration; he reshuffled the cabinet supporting Secretary of War John Eaton.
France agrees to pay $5 million for spoliation claims (treaty)
France agreed in a treaty to settle U.S. spoliation claims dating to the Napoleonic Wars for $5 million; payments began flowing in 1836.
Vetoed recharter of the Second Bank of the United States
On July 10, 1832 Jackson vetoed Congressional legislation to reauthorize the Second Bank of the United States, calling it corrupt and elitist—key act in the 'Bank War.'
Reelected President (1832)
Jackson won reelection on Nov 1, 1832 with broad support, defeating Henry Clay and William Wirt.
South Carolina Ordinance of Nullification adopted
South Carolina's convention adopted the Ordinance of Nullification (Nov 24, 1832), nullifying federal tariff acts and escalating the Nullification Crisis.
Issued Nullification Proclamation
Jackson issued the Nullification Proclamation (Dec 10, 1832), denouncing nullification and threatening force to preserve the Union.
Congress passes Force Bill
Congress passed the Force Bill (March 1, 1833) at Jackson's urging, authorizing the president to use military force to collect tariffs in South Carolina if necessary.
Commissioned Edmund Roberts for trade treaties
Jackson commissioned Edmund Roberts as a special agent to negotiate commercial treaties abroad, leading to early U.S. treaties with Siam and other eastern governments.
Senate censure (Bank War)
The Senate passed a resolution censure admonishing Jackson for his actions against the Bank of the United States (later expunged in 1837).
Ordered withdrawal of federal deposits from the Second Bank
Continuing the Bank War, Jackson ordered federal deposits withdrawn from the Bank and placed in 'pet' state banks; the Senate later censured him for this action.
Announced plan to terminate the national debt
Jackson announced that the government would terminate (eliminate) the national debt, a policy pursued during his administration.
Became the only U.S. president to pay off the national debt
In 1835 the United States briefly had no national debt—Jackson was the only president to accomplish this.
Issued the Specie Circular
Jackson and Treasury Secretary Levi Woodbury issued the Specie Circular (July 11, 1836), requiring payment for public lands in gold or silver to curb speculation.
Hand-picked Martin Van Buren as successor; Van Buren elected
Jackson supported Vice President Martin Van Buren as his chosen successor; Van Buren won the 1836 election.
Censure expunged (political bargaining)
The earlier Senate censure was officially expunged from the record on Jan 16, 1837 following political negotiations.
Recognized the Republic of Texas
Jackson recognized Texan independence on March 1, 1837 (stopped short of annexation due to diplomatic concerns).
Left office—Martin Van Buren inaugurated
Jackson's two terms ended on March 4, 1837; Martin Van Buren succeeded him as president.
Legacy: Support for Van Buren and Polk; position on Texas
After leaving office, Jackson supported Martin Van Buren and later James K. Polk and advocated the annexation of Texas, shaping subsequent expansionist policy.
Died at the Hermitage
Andrew Jackson died on June 8, 1845 at his Hermitage plantation near Nashville at age 78.
Key Achievement Ages
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