American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House

The Battle of New Orleans, fought on January 8, 1815, as part of the War of 1812, was a pivotal event in Andrew Jackson’s military career. Jackson secured a decisive victory against the British, inflicting over 2,000 casualties while suffering minimal losses. This triumph propelled Jackson to national fame and laid the foundation for his political career, ultimately leading to his presidency. The battle became a symbol of American resilience and military prowess, boosting Jackson’s popularity and reputation as a national hero. This is largely the role it plays in Jon Meacham’s account, where it furnishes evidence of Jackson’s character.

The Corrupt Bargain refers to the outcome of the 1824 US presidential election. When none of the candidates—Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, William H. Crawford, and Henry Clay—secured a majority of electoral votes, the decision was thrown to the House of Representatives. Speaker of the House Henry Clay used his influence to support John Quincy Adams, who subsequently won the presidency. Soon after, Adams appointed Clay as his secretary of state, a position seen as a stepping stone to the presidency. Jackson and his supporters decried this arrangement as a “Corrupt Bargain,” accusing Adams and Clay of collusion and undermining the democratic process.