The Jacksonian Era

American History Series

by Robert V. Remini

This new edition of one of our most popular publications is a fast-paced and colorful narrative of the social, cultural, and political climate that breathed life into "Jacksonian Democracy." In his inimitable style, Remini crafts a memorable portrait of the young hellraiser and war hero; the stern judge; the determined campaigner; and, finally, the chief executive of the people. Other leading political figures, such as Henry Clay and Daniel Webster, are paid due attention and discussions of the vital issues of the day--the Bank War, Indian removal, the states' rights conflict, and slavery--are nicely balanced by attention to the era's various reform, religious, and artistic movements. In addition to the newest research and revelations, new to the Second Edition is an extensive photo essay. Written by one of the foremost authorities on Andrew Jackson, The Jacksonian Era is simply a great read for anyone interested in Jackson and his time.

Genres: History, American History, Nonfiction, Politics

151 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Savannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Remini’s intention in writing The Jacksonian Era is to discuss President Andrew Jackson’s political ascendancy, controversial actions, and significance in a positive light regardless of the morality of the issue at hand. According to Remini, Jackson’s political progression started from his poor roots, that would later serve as propaganda for the “common man” platform he would initially run his presidential campaign in 1829 on, to the man who “fought the bloody British in the Town of New Orleans,” and later would serve as president from 1829- 1837, and simultaneously usher in the what Remini dubs the “Jacksonian Era.” Throughout the novel, Remini makes a point to highlight how the Jacksonian Era serves as both a controversial and simultaneously intriguing era of history, encompassing topics ranging from Jackson’s spoils system, Indian Removal Act, or stance on the national bank (“BUS”). Regardless of the stance of Jackson as a moral figure, Remini puts forwards the facts to support the thesis of Jackson as a key foundation to modern America and US political parties- although this book is hard to stomach at times due to the racist lens Remini uses to try and rewrite the past.
This book is organized into six chapters, each serving as a bookmark of Jackson’s political career. Chapter One discusses how Jackson’s involvement in the Battle of New Orleans, the last battle of the War of 1812, was critical to the foundation of the way Jackson was perceived by American society. Remini argues in this chapter that this “colossal victory made the American public feel like they could deny” their beloved Old Hickory, a seeming man of the people, “nothing- including the presidency (4.)” Further, the chapter discuss how Jackson’s presidential election in 1828 “set the low mark for vulgarity, gimmickry, and nonsensical hijinks” in the way both he and John Quincy Adams were portrayed to the American Public (20) giving the presidential election of 2016 a run for its’ money. Chapter Two focuses on Jackson’s “total commitment to the idea of democracy” by the use of his rotation system, on to later become known as the Spoils System by some of Jackson’s critics- as well as Jackson’s actions during the Bank War. Chapter Three discuses Jackson’s actions towards Indian Removal, as he pushed forward the Indian Removal Act on 1830 and went to war various times with Native American tribes. Chapter Four discusses the buildup of slavery from the Jacksonian Era up to the coming of the Civil War. Chapter Five discusses the focus on reform to “improve society (73)” via the transcendentalism and education reform movement. Chapter Six discussed the Mexican War and its’ influence on the American Civil War. Throughout the book, Remini uses quotations from other notable historical figures as historical evidence to back up his claims. Other than this use of quotes, Remini does not use many outside sources, and rather sandwiches racist or farfetched claims in between quotes to try and dilute them.
Collectively, Remini does a successful job of illustrating how influential and significant Jackson was during his time, streamlining into the foundation of modern America and US political parties. He does this by supporting his claims and historical bias with quotes from notable historical figures and events. For those agreeing with Remini’s claim of Jackson as a positive figure, this book is extremely compelling- yet, for those on the opposite side of the fence, some of Remini’s arguments may fall short due to the clear expression of Remini’s bias shaping all of his claims. Examples of this are how in Chapter Three Remini attempts to shift the blame off of Jackson on to other founding fathers like Thomas Jefferson in regards to the Indian Removal Act of 1830, and even tries to go to the length of saying that the natives weren’t following Georgian law, and therefore deserved what was happening. This chapter especially bugged and offended me, simply because it leaves out the entire native side of the argument and tries to use outdated, racist reasoning to justify a claim. Further, on page 129, Remini tries to make the stretch that the Mexican-AMERICAN War was the originating factor for the Civil War instead of slavery. Granted, while Jackson does have many instrumental accomplishments worth noting in how they would shape the future of the United States, his failures are also equally as important for discussion. As historians and human beings, we must learn from our past to move forward and Remini’s arguments seem to try and justify the past through a racist, revisionist lens rather than present facts and let them speak for themselves.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent overview of a period in American history that really speaks to our current political debacle. I was fairly ignorant and this book taught me quite a bit, but left me wanting to learn more. It is written in the early 70's (I think) so the narrative lens is a little dated, but was still worth it for me. Now I want to read Schlesinger's book on the Jackson era.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written in 1989, but still a basic introduction to this period of American life. It is a distillation, if you will, of Remini's extensive three-volume opus on the life of Andrew Jackson (published in 1977, 1981, 1984). The only negative to the book is it's lack of research citation, but that is not the design of this series. I highly recommend this readable overview.

[Samuel Helms · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great introduction to the era. Remini's narrative flair shines a light on an era of which most people's understanding is dim at best. I'd recommend this as a great starting point if you can find it in a local used bookstore.

[yovichka · Rating 2 out of 5]

actually, for an exam book (i.e. book i had to translate for my english exam) that one is pretty interesting
wouldn't read it if it was for pure interesting tho

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid, well-written summary of 1825-50. (Rise of Jackson, 2nd Party System, spoils system, Bank War, Indian Removal, Nullification Crisis, antebellum reform, Transcendentalism, Communitarian experiments...)

[Erin BookNut · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have a problem with the obvious bias in parts of this book. This is a topic I was interested in but I had a hard time getting through this book anyway. I wish my professor had found a better book.