Jackson had strong opinions and equally strong opposition during his eight years as president. That he even made it to the White House surprised and shocked many politicians. His campaign style and tenure as president were turning points in American politics. He was the first president to open the doors of the White House to blue-collar Americans, and he shook up the glossy world of Washington, DC, with his “common-man” methods and ideals.
Cartoon of Andrew JacksonCartoon featuring Andrew Jackson as a devil.
He led the American army to the most surprising victory in its history in the Battle of New Orleans, but he also launched an unauthorized invasion of Florida. Jackson dramatically expanded the United States and did so by brutally wresting vast regions of the south from Native Americans. And in one of the boldest political strokes in history, founded the Democratic Party, yet was viewed by his enemies as an American Napoleon.
Monday, June 14 at 9 p.m. on PBS-HD.
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