This volume by journalist Jon Meacham is likely to be the definitve biography of Andrew Jackson for some time to come. I enjoyed it, although I am more interested in what was happening in the country during the Age of Jackson rather than in the particulars of the life of Jackson.
Jackson was the first man of the people, the first non-elitist, the first so-called self-made man to make it to this country's highest office. He was the first chief executive to directly connect to the American people. He was our first President to use the executive branch to try and better the lives of average Americans. No wonder he is the founder of the Democratic Party!
Jackson built up the office of President as the direct representative of the people, by which he meant working class people rather than the privileged. He found eternally against what he called the "money power" and the "priviliged" in favor of the "the people." Historians will forever debate his particular policies. Some were good; some were not good.
Was he right in fighting Biddle's Bank of the United States? Historians disagree. Was he right in the Eaton affire? (The Eaton affire was a long, convoluted situation which defies simple summary). I am not competent to understand the implications of the Eaton mess. Was he right in his Indian Removal policy? No, he was tragically wrong: his policy of removing Native Americans from the Southeast to Oklahoma resulted in thousands of tragic deaths. Was he right in stressing the President as being the direct representative of the people against entrenced special interests. You bet!
If you wish to understand the person of Andrew Jackson, this is your book. If you wish to understand his times, you must delve deeper, which can be the job of a lifetime.
2 comments:
Any connections between his time and ours?
Jackson was the first strong President. He governed during turbulent times---the 1830's. We certainly face turbulent times today.
Jackson fought for the common man against what he called "the money power." He fought against privilege. That same fight will hopefully come from Obama as he talks about helping the Middle Class.
The US faced what is called The Panic of 1837. In modern times economic downturns are called recessions and depressions. In the 19th Century, they were called panics. This panic came after Jackson left office. Historians debate whether Jackson's actions contributed to the Panic of 1837. We certainly face similar economic turmoil today.
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