Andrew Jackson

Early in American history, the "people" didn't really decide the Presidency. Washington DC was a self-sustaining political machine that promoted and elected their own. Henry Clay was a powerful political figure in the 1800's. As Speaker of the House, he schmoozed and corroborated with politicians. Clay basically got John Quincy Adams in office. Back then, general concensus was basically ignored in Presidential races.

Enter Andrew Jackson. He was rough. He was headstrong. And, he was somewhat insane. He was a tough military leader who didn't have any formal education. He went down to Florida and basically went on a rampage, killing and executing Brittish soldiers without warrant. he owned slaves, and he was known for being quite savage and cruel to them. So, when Andrew Jackson's name came up as a possible Presidential candidate, the big wigs (literally) in Washington just shook their heads in disgust. They probably even laughed at the idea. But, Jackson's name technically was on the ballot during the election of John Quincy Adams.

When Adams was elected president, the people at large (the American public, made up of gritty rough farmers and hunters), revolted. They were angry that Jackson had been ignored as a viable Presidential candidate. But, Henry Clay and John Quincy Adams hadn't even given that a thought. Andrew Jackson hadn't even managed a general store, much less worked in an office. Much less the highest office in the country. John Quincy Adams was much better equipped (on paper, anyway) because he had so much political experience in Europe. He was a soft, intellectual type who was accustomed to "the good life." He was the polar opposite of Andrew Jackson in many ways.

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This was during a time when Napoleon had recently conquered France. So, the well-to-do politicians in Washington feared that Andrew Jackson had enough support from the public and military power to overthrow the American government! it's hard to imagine today, but that's what they feared. Jackson had acrued quite a following over the years.

Low and behold, the people of America stood up for themselves and elected Andrew Jackson to President of the United States. He turned out to be pretty good. His extreme stubborness proved useful in DC. Jackson fired tons of beauracrats on the Fedreal level (some of which had been in their cushy jobs since George Washington was Pres!) He cut the size of the Federal Government and established the Democratic party over the course of his Presidency. He was strong. He had convictions. I want a President like that. He was a man of the people.

Yeah, he was half-crazy. Yeah, he did things that were appauling in today's context. But, it's important to understand where America comes from, ugly or not.