Andrew Jackson:Symbol for an Age

In 1765, a poor Scotch-Irish family moved to America in hopes of escaping the harsh reality of European life. The family moved to what is now Waxhaw, South Carolina. On March 15, 1767 a child was born and given the name Andrew Jackson. Shortly after his birth, the Revolutionary War began between the United States and Great Britain. The year was 1780, British troops had taken South Carolina, and Andrew's oldest brother had joined the American regiment fighting in …

…both an average and ideal American and was therefore able to draw support from every section and social class. Jackson saw himself as "President of All the People" and a defender of the "Common Man." He saw himself as the direct representative of all the people and willingly used his authority on their behalf. From latterly rags-to-riches Jackson's fiery attitude and stubbornness took the nation by storm and shaped it to what it is today.