The Revolutionary Age of Andrew Jackson

by Robert V. Remini

It was a raucous time of duels with words and swords, the fifty-year period between the War of 1812 and the Civil War called the Age of Jackson. It was, in its own special way, a time of revolution. People weren't killing each other, and mobs didn't riot in the streets. But enormous changes were shaking and transforming America. And a generation of political geniuses appeared, to wrestle with the nation's prospects and with each other. The men? Andrew Jackson. Daniel Webster. Henry Clay. John C. Calhoun. Martin Van Buren. And the issues? How to make America truly democratic. How to hold the Union together, when slavery was threatening to tear it apart. What to do with the Indians, who seemed to many to stand in the way of America's westward "destiny." And - probably most important to us today - how to solve the fierce power struggle between the President and the Congress.

The revolutionary Age of Andrew Jackson changed much of America's way of life. It established the nation's basic political practices and patterns. It stands at the beginning of the modern America we have inherited.

Genres: History, American History

201 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Lobstergirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Andrew Jackson's presidency was revolutionary because he greatly expanded the power of the presidency. Remini calls him the first modern president for this reason. Prior to Jackson, presidents treated the legislative branch as the direct representatives of the people's will. In crushing the Bank of the United States, Jackson made it clear that he considered himself the direct representative of the people - the first among the equal three branches of government. The Jacksonian era also saw the rise of political parties, and, with the failure of the national bank, the rise of state-chartered private banks which extended more credit and printed paper money, fueling the Industrial Revolution.

Remini also writes about the Indian Removal, Jackson's "spoils system" and the rise of the common person, the tariff issue and Calhoun's plan for nullification. This is a relatively short book and would be appropriate for high school students.

[Tim Swyzen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written and sourced account of the policies and changes during Andrew Jackson’s presidencies. Entertaining to read without losing historical quality.

More than anything, this shines a bright light on our modern political landscape, with spiraling executive power, degenerate news media, and populism — even considering that this book has a favorable bias towards the president!

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very quick read discussing how Jackson reshaped the presidency. A lot of parallels to the current political environment.