Childhood and Early Military Service
Andrew Jackson was born on March 15, 1767 in the Waxhaw settlement on the border between North Carolina and South Carolina. Son of two Scots-Irish immigrants, Andrew Jackson had two brother, Hugh and Robert, both of whom were his elders. He was orphaned at the age of fourteen when his mother died, and his father had died before Jackson had been born. Jackson attended local schools, and received an elementary education. This fact set him aside from other presidents, who were highly educated and wealthy, whereas Jackson's education wasn't nonexistent, however, did not extend as far as the previous presidents' had. Also, while the previous presidents came from wealth, Jackson's story is one of rags to riches, growing up in a poor home and later becoming a hero.
The Revolutionary War was on its way when Jackson was young and wiped out much of his immediate family. His brother, Hugh, died at the Battle of Stono Ferry, reportedly of heatstroke in 1779. Too young to formally be a soldier Andrew Jackson and his brother, Robert, fought with American irregulars in the Battle of Hanging Rock. When taken as a prisoner to the British, Jackson was demanded to clean a soldier's boots and promptly refused. As punishment, Jackson was slashed on his left hand and head and the scars remained there for the rest of his life.
The Revolutionary War was on its way when Jackson was young and wiped out much of his immediate family. His brother, Hugh, died at the Battle of Stono Ferry, reportedly of heatstroke in 1779. Too young to formally be a soldier Andrew Jackson and his brother, Robert, fought with American irregulars in the Battle of Hanging Rock. When taken as a prisoner to the British, Jackson was demanded to clean a soldier's boots and promptly refused. As punishment, Jackson was slashed on his left hand and head and the scars remained there for the rest of his life.
Gaining Popularity
Jackson began his legal career in Jonesborough, which is now northeastern Tennessee. Because he didn't come from a family of wealth, and his education was not extensive, Jackson had to begin his career by his own merits. In 1788, Jackson was appointed prosecutor of the Western District and later held the same position in the government of the territory south of the Ohio River after 1791. In 1796, he was elected as a delegate to the Tennessee constitutional convention. When Tennessee achieved statehood that same year, he was elected as its U.S. Representative. The next year, although he resigned within a year, Jackson was elected U.S. Senator as a Democratic Republican.
During the War of 1812, Andrew Jackson's name became a popular one in common American households. This popularity sparked from the Battle of New Orleans, despite the fact that it happened two weeks after the war had officially ended. On January 8, 1815, 7,500 British soldiers marched against 4,500 American soldiers, led by the soon-to-be national hero, Andrew Jackson. Jackson defeated the British, halting their efforts to attack New Orleans and establishing himself as a military hero. This defeat was humiliating for the British but sparked the spirit of nationalism in the United States and made Jackson a household name.
During the War of 1812, Andrew Jackson's name became a popular one in common American households. This popularity sparked from the Battle of New Orleans, despite the fact that it happened two weeks after the war had officially ended. On January 8, 1815, 7,500 British soldiers marched against 4,500 American soldiers, led by the soon-to-be national hero, Andrew Jackson. Jackson defeated the British, halting their efforts to attack New Orleans and establishing himself as a military hero. This defeat was humiliating for the British but sparked the spirit of nationalism in the United States and made Jackson a household name.