American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House

President Andrew Jackson, the seventh US President, faced a profound crisis in his second term involving South Carolina’s defiance of federal authority, which he viewed as a personal and national threat to the Union. Amid escalating tensions, Jackson was prepared to use military force to uphold federal laws, believing South Carolina’s actions could lead to secession and civil war. He expressed a willingness to personally lead the military response if necessary.

Though orphaned at a young age, Andrew Jackson was nevertheless influenced by his mother, Elizabeth, a devout Presbyterian who instilled in him values of duty, resilience, and religious faith. Her teachings emphasized honesty, steadfastness, and personal honor, which Jackson carried throughout his life. His early experiences attending the Waxhaw Presbyterian meetinghouse exposed him to formal language and biblical stories, shaping his moral outlook and self-perception in a heroic, biblical light.

His early life involved a persistent sense of inferiority and alienation, stemming from his precarious position within his extended family and the broader community. Growing up as an orphan, Jackson was constantly reminded of his dependent status. He lived with relatives who provided shelter but little emotional support, making him feel like an outsider in their homes.