Overview
Today's lecture covered the early life, personal controversies, and political rise of Andrew Jackson, as well as key events and outcomes of the War of 1812.
Andrew Jackson's Early Life and Background
- Born in 1767 in the Waxhaws region (border of SC and NC) to Scots Irish immigrants.
- Orphaned by age 14 after losing his father, brothers, and mother during/after the American Revolution.
- Developed a lifelong hatred of the British due to harsh treatment as a POW and family loss.
Personal Controversies and Duel
- Married Rachel Donelson Robards before her divorce was finalized, causing a lasting scandal.
- Jackson was sensitive to criticism of Rachel, leading to a duel with Charles Dickinson in 1806.
- Jackson survived being shot in the chest and killed Dickinson, fueling his violent reputation.
Early Political and Professional Career
- Became Attorney General of Tennessee at 24 and served in the state’s constitutional convention.
- Elected as Tennessee’s first U.S. Representative; served briefly as U.S. Senator and later as a judge.
- Bought The Hermitage plantation, which relied heavily on enslaved labor; Jackson was a harsh enslaver.
Causes of the War of 1812
- British impressment (forced recruitment) of American sailors into the Royal Navy.
- British arming and inciting Native Americans against U.S. settlers.
- U.S. ambitions to annex parts of Canada and Florida.
Native American Resistance
- Shawnee leaders Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa (the Prophet) organized a pan-Indian alliance.
- Alliance was defeated at the Battle of Tippecanoe (1811) by William Henry Harrison.
War of 1812: Key Events and Battles
- War declared June 1, 1812, against Britain.
- USS Constitution (“Old Ironsides”) won significant naval victories.
- Battle of Horseshoe Bend: Jackson defeated Creek Indians, forcing them to cede land.
- British burned Washington, D.C.; Dolly Madison saved George Washington’s portrait from the White House.
- Francis Scott Key wrote "The Star-Spangled Banner" after witnessing the defense of Fort McHenry.
- The Federalist Party lost influence after the Hartford Convention, where some discussed secession.
Treaty and the Battle of New Orleans
- Treaty of Ghent ended the war (signed Dec 24, 1814) without resolving prewar issues.
- Jackson’s decisive victory at the Battle of New Orleans (Jan 1815) made him a national hero.
- War led to a surge in American nationalism and growth in domestic industry.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Impressment — Forcing individuals into military service, especially British seizure of American sailors.
- Pan-Indian Alliance — A coalition of different Native tribes united against U.S. expansion.
- Hartford Convention — Federalist meeting to propose constitutional changes; talk of secession damaged the party.
- Treaty of Ghent — 1814 agreement ending the War of 1812 with no territorial changes.
- Battle of New Orleans — Major U.S. victory led by Jackson after war ended; boosted his fame.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Prepare for next lecture on the Election of 1824.
- Review today’s notes, focusing on Jackson’s rise and the War of 1812’s outcomes.