Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson was the seventh president of the United States and a controversial historical figure. He owned slaves, as did many American men in his time, and he helped banish the Native Americans from their homelands. In some ways, these actions make Andrew Jackson truly one of the forefathers of the United States, a country that cannot escape some of the horrors of its history. However, Andrew Jackson also managed to make his mark as a true hero.

He overcame great hardship in his life, fought bravely, and contributed to American politics with passion. James C. Curtis describes the ups and downs of Andrew Jackson's life in his book: Andrew Jackson and the Search for Vindication. The title of the biography reflects the fact that Andrew Jackson felt persecuted throughout much of his life and often felt he had to fight back hard to earn respect and trust.

The most famous of Jackson's fights was the duel he fought with Aaron Burr, but Andrew Jackson fought many battles throughout his life, some of which were physical and many of which were purely political. More than anything, Curtis shows that Andrew Jackson was a product of his environment and of his times, and in spite of his shortcomings helped the United States become a stronger union. Andrew Jackson and the Search for Vindication is a brief book, less than two hundred pages long.

It is divided into nine main chapters that deal with a specific aspect of Jackson's life. The chapters loosely follow the timeline of the former president's life. Jackson's parents were both from Northern Ireland and migrated to what would soon become the United States of America. When the Jackson family moved to the New World, they encountered various "harsh realities," from ethnic and religious tensions to outright violence (Curtis 3). Andrew Jackson's father, who had the same name, died before Andrew junior was born.

Having not met his father and experiencing great conflict with his mother as he grew older greatly affected the psychological development of the future president. In his early childhood, Andrew was known for his "wildness," and misbehaved regularly (Curtis 7). He was 'not a particularly happy youngster," and "had an ugly temper, was full of anger that he could not control, and .. thrived on conflict," (Curtis 8).

These early outbursts would continue throughout the rest of Jackson's life, and as the man gained political power and social status, the implications of his aggressiveness became severe and far-reaching. Jackson also lived through several wars, which undoubtedly altered his perception of humanity and of life in general. Jackson's first war experience was as a militiaman during the American War for Independence. He was captured by the British, imprisoned, and nearly died. Soon thereafter, his brother and his mother died, which "left deep scars on Andrew Jackson's personality," (Curtis 10).

Jackson felt partly responsible for his mother's death, which may be an early reason Andrew Jackson looked for some sort of vindication throughout his entire life. After his mother's death, Andrew suffered through an "aimless existence" that would change after Jackson sought training and employment as a lawyer a few years later (Curtis 10). Curtis shows how Andrew Jackson was a quintessential early American.

He settled on one of the new Western Appalachian frontiers and therefore held dear the concept of "manifest destiny." Jackson also proudly owned, bought, and sold slaves and had no moral qualms about the institution of slavery. Furthermore, Jackson resented and feared the Native Americans and did much to force them to flee their own lands. Curtis also portrays Jackson as a sharp individualist who acted first out of his own self-interest, more so than out of compassion or kindness for others.

Much of what Jackson did throughout his life reflected his values, values which would characterize the newly emerging American culture. Andrew Jackson fought many duels, one-on-one fights with other men, throughout his life. Fighting duels was a major way Jackson strengthened his pride and self-confidence. Fighting duels also helped him to release his aggression and anger. Another way that Andrew Jackson released his aggression and anger was through his heartless and cruel policies toward the Native Americans, who he viewed as the ultimate enemy. "Jackson considered the Indian a savage ..

He could not understand politicians who advocated peaceful disposition of Indian problems," and did not believe in drafting or fulfilling treaties with the native communities (Curtis 22). For Jackson, the Native Americans represented a collective enemy, similar to a large-scale dueling partner. The Native American was "a fit target for wrath," an idea that was socially acceptable at the time (Curtis 23). Andrew Jackson's passion for fighting his enemies led to his participation in the War of 1812, in which he proved his merit.

"Rarely have the American people lavished praise so freely, or with such enthusiasm," Curtis states of Jackson's victory over the British in the Battle of New Orleans (64). Moreover, Jackson took his fighting personally, because it affected his reputation. In 1818, Jackson boldly invaded Spanish territory in northern Florida and was even appointed governor of the territory by President Monroe, his actions there were highly controversial, and he was "hardly prepared for the political onslaught that followed his invasion and took the partisan criticism as personal insult," (Curtis 70).

Soon after the capture of Florida from the Spanish, Jackson engaged in aggressive and ruthless Indian removal proceedings. Sharply at odds against the government, Jackson supported a policy of "coercive paternalism," as Curtis describes it (72). Jackson began to grow in social status. Before long people started to view the lawyer and fighter as a potential political candidate, and even suggested he might be eligible for the highest office in the country. Like his fighting, Jackson took his politics personally. He viewed political relationships as tests of personal loyalty,.