Summary
Highlights
The episode introduces Andrew Jackson, highlighting his controversial and often terrible past, particularly his involvement in many 'worst stories' in American history. Despite his presence on the $20 bill, the host suggests that a deeper look reveals him to be far from the glamorous figure depicted. He was involved in various trades, including trading enslaved people, and was known for his aggressive and often violent demeanor before becoming the seventh president of the United States.
Andrew Jackson was born in 1767 to Irish immigrant parents. He experienced significant loss at a young age, becoming an orphan between 12 and 14. At 20, with an inheritance, he became a lawyer in Salisbury, North Carolina, thriving and adopting a 'rake' lifestyle of drinking, gambling, and womanizing. After spending all his money, he fled to Tennessee—then the 'wild frontier'—to start anew as a frontier lawyer and judge, despite his limited literacy.
In Tennessee, Andrew Jackson met Rachel, who was already married. Despite this, they moved in together and married in 1791, with Rachel divorcing her first husband in 1793. This scandal would follow them. Jackson used his lawyer earnings to buy land and enslaved people, putting his money into various side hustles. He eventually purchased the Hermitage, a cotton plantation, and expanded his holdings of enslaved people, growing his wealth. He was known for his brutal treatment of enslaved individuals, including public beatings and aggressively pursuing those who tried to escape.
Jackson's reputation as a no-nonsense individual and slave owner led to numerous political opportunities despite his questionable character. At 24, he became Attorney General in Tennessee, then a House Representative, and later a Senator. In 1796, when Tennessee became a state, he was appointed a judge on the Superior Court, a role he held for five years. He earned a reputation for aggressively bringing criminals to justice, sometimes threatening violence himself.
When Andrew Jackson sought to become the leader of the Tennessee militia, he faced John Sevier, a more qualified candidate. After a rigged election, Jackson won. Sevier retaliated by spreading rumors about Jackson's wife, Rachel, calling her a 'whore.' Jackson challenged Sevier to a duel, which escalated into a physical fight after Sevier failed to show up at the designated time. Public opinion, stirred by the media, largely sided with Jackson, boosting his image as an 'honest, fearless, unfiltered' leader and turning him into a local celebrity.
In 1806, Jackson participated in a duel with Charles Dickinson, an attorney and frenemy. The conflict escalated after Dickinson insulted Rachel. Knowing Dickinson was an expert shot, Jackson devised a plan: he would let Dickinson shoot first, endure the wound, and then take his time to aim and kill Dickinson. This technically cheating strategy resulted in Dickinson's death. This event solidified Jackson's violent image and passion for 'murdering people.'
In 1812, Andrew Jackson, now 45 and commander of the Tennessee Militia, eagerly joined the War of 1812 against the British. He led his men on a grueling journey to New Orleans only for it to be a false alarm. Despite this, he earned the nickname 'Old Hickory' for his resilience. Later, he intervened in the Creek Civil War between Native American tribes. After an attack by Red Sticks on a white settlement, Jackson led a brutal massacre at Tallushatchee, ordering his men to kill mercilessly and reportedly collecting noses as trophies. He also 'saved' a Native American baby, Lyncoya, taking him home.
Driven by a desire for more land and to pursue escaped Red Sticks, Jackson invaded Spanish-owned Florida despite warnings from President Monroe. Spain's policy of granting freedom to enslaved people further fueled American resentment. Jackson's forces slaughtered many, prompting Spain to evacuate its people. The U.S. government, while seemingly reprimanding Jackson, ultimately bought Florida from Spain for $5 million. Jackson was hailed as a war hero for acquiring vast tracts of land for the United States, earning him significant political capital despite his violent methods.
By 51, ailing from old wounds, Jackson retired. Frustrated by perceived corruption in U.S. politics, his friends convinced him to run for president. In 1824, he campaigned against John Quincy Adams. Although Jackson won the popular vote, no one secured enough electoral college votes, leading the House of Representatives to decide. Due to Congress's dislike for Jackson, Adams was chosen, marking the first time Jackson truly heard 'no,' and fueling his rage.
Enraged by his loss, Jackson denounced the election as a 'corrupt bargain' and immediately announced his candidacy for the next election, three and a half years away. This led to an intense smear campaign against John Quincy Adams, causing the Democratic-Republican Party to split into the Democratic Party (Jackson's supporters) and the Republican Party (Adams' supporters), a pivotal moment in American political history. The media fueled the feud, with both sides engaging in personal attacks and spreading rumors.
The 1828 election became one of the dirtiest in U.S. history, characterized by relentless mudslinging from both sides. Jackson's supporters spread rumors that Adams was a pimp, while Adams' supporters called Rachel a 'whore.' Jackson, still a revered war hero, won the presidency. However, his victory was overshadowed by Rachel's death a few months before he took office. Jackson blamed her death on the political attacks, publicly stating that he would never forgive 'her murderers,' the political adversaries who had slandered her.
The episode concludes by summarizing Andrew Jackson as a complex figure: a 'drunken rake,' a 'bloodthirsty military tyrant,' 'morally unfit,' and a 'sensitive baby who couldn't hear the word no.' His path to power involved murdering, taking trophies, and becoming president through ruthless determination. The host hints at a future episode dedicated to the 'Trail of Tears,' promising to further illustrate Jackson's 'devilish' character and the destructive impact he had, often overlooked by those who see him as an 'all-American Jesus'.