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Drama of American History
Andrew Jackson's America: 1824-1850
History is dramatic -- and the renowned, award-winning authors Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier demonstrate this in this compelling series aimed at young readers.Covering American history from the founding of Jamestown through present day, these volumes explore far beyond the dates and events of a historical chronicle to present a moving illumination of the ideas, opinions, attitudes and tribulations that led to the birth of this great nation.
95 pages, Library Binding
First published September 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 1, 2015
A very nice, brief history on the Jacksonian era. Stated and clearly meant for a young audience it also provides an excellent refresher for more seasoned readers of this historical period and its people. An interesting take away for myself was the case made for Jackson as a transformative figure in United States politics where prior to his leadership, congress dominated the direction of the country. With Jackson, party politics, personalities of office seekers and strength of the individual (real or perceived) became the dominant force. Something still largely true to this day.
October 26, 2024
This book is a short overview with little deeper analysis of the Age of Andrew Jackson that occurred between 1820 - 1845. During this period, the American population grew rapidly from immigration and increased fertility rates caused by countryside living that helped prevent the spread of disease and provided an plenty of food. A deferential society with the assumption that some men were born to lead, which many founding fathers adhered, was replaced by egalitarianism alongside a new spirit of progress, innovation, and the desire to get ahead.
Andrew Jackson was President from 1829 - 1837. Many Americans admired Jackson as a non-aristocratic country hero of the frontier. He believed people could rise from lowly state to greatness and was a man of the people. He represented American’s hopes for themselves and “symbolized opportunity, self-reliance, and success.”
This period also experienced an industrial revolution and a market revolution that turned many independent farmers into factory workers. Homes produced less goods to meet their needs and began selling surplus goods for cash to purchase other items available on the market. The new market economy led to growing inequality among Americans, but also led to more wealth for everyone in general.
New technologies allowed for mechanized, cheaper, and faster production of textiles, while the invention of the cotton gin also led to improved collection of raw materials for these textiles.
“Between 1800 and 1830 the number of spindles in cotton textile factories increased from 2000 to 1,140,000 creating a huge industry.”
These technological changes that transformed industry and work life also led to changes in social life and towns. Factory workers organized living quarters and villages around the mills themselves so workers had easy access by living close. Women no longer had to spend time to produce cloth for family and worked in textile mills.
“Slowly but surely over the whole of the 1800s, a nation of farmers became a nation of industrial workers”
Cheap clocks standardized time for average American who used to tell time by the sun and allowed workers to arrive to factories on time. While new modes of transportation such as the steamboat, railroad, canals allowed quicker movement of people, goods, and products. The Erie Canal transformed New York into the busiest port in the country.
The era was also when many of the features of modern politics appeared. The contentious election of 1824 in which Jackson won the popular vote, but not enough electoral college votes, ended up giving the presidency to John Quincy Adams though the House of Representatives. This caused the Republican Party to split. In the next election, Jackson with the help of Martin Van Buren built a true fully functioning political party with political conventions for electing candidates and electoral campaigning supported by these parties to help him get elected. Jackson also defined many features of the modern presidency believing the president shouldn’t be subservient to Congress, but should set policy and its role was to protect common people from the powerful
During his Presidency he had conflict with Nicholas Biddle’s policies as the head of the Bank of the United States that he believed harmed ordinary Americans and got into a theoretical war about state rights versus federal rights with the South during the Nullification crisis
Jackson also supported states desire to take Native American land, which was desired by many planters for cotton growing thanks to the invention of cotton gin, which led to the Indian Removal Act known as the Trail of Tears. The President managed to push through this measure, despite a lot of pushback in Congress who were sympathetic to Indian rights.
“What is sadly ironic about the attacks on the southeastern indians is that they more than any other Indian groups at the time were doing just what the whites always said they wanted the Indians to do—become Europeanized. Many of them had built farmhouses and were raising corn and hogs, wearing European style clothes, and going to Christian churches. The Cherokee in particular had taken up white ways.”
Andrew Jackson was President from 1829 - 1837. Many Americans admired Jackson as a non-aristocratic country hero of the frontier. He believed people could rise from lowly state to greatness and was a man of the people. He represented American’s hopes for themselves and “symbolized opportunity, self-reliance, and success.”
This period also experienced an industrial revolution and a market revolution that turned many independent farmers into factory workers. Homes produced less goods to meet their needs and began selling surplus goods for cash to purchase other items available on the market. The new market economy led to growing inequality among Americans, but also led to more wealth for everyone in general.
New technologies allowed for mechanized, cheaper, and faster production of textiles, while the invention of the cotton gin also led to improved collection of raw materials for these textiles.
“Between 1800 and 1830 the number of spindles in cotton textile factories increased from 2000 to 1,140,000 creating a huge industry.”
These technological changes that transformed industry and work life also led to changes in social life and towns. Factory workers organized living quarters and villages around the mills themselves so workers had easy access by living close. Women no longer had to spend time to produce cloth for family and worked in textile mills.
“Slowly but surely over the whole of the 1800s, a nation of farmers became a nation of industrial workers”
Cheap clocks standardized time for average American who used to tell time by the sun and allowed workers to arrive to factories on time. While new modes of transportation such as the steamboat, railroad, canals allowed quicker movement of people, goods, and products. The Erie Canal transformed New York into the busiest port in the country.
The era was also when many of the features of modern politics appeared. The contentious election of 1824 in which Jackson won the popular vote, but not enough electoral college votes, ended up giving the presidency to John Quincy Adams though the House of Representatives. This caused the Republican Party to split. In the next election, Jackson with the help of Martin Van Buren built a true fully functioning political party with political conventions for electing candidates and electoral campaigning supported by these parties to help him get elected. Jackson also defined many features of the modern presidency believing the president shouldn’t be subservient to Congress, but should set policy and its role was to protect common people from the powerful
During his Presidency he had conflict with Nicholas Biddle’s policies as the head of the Bank of the United States that he believed harmed ordinary Americans and got into a theoretical war about state rights versus federal rights with the South during the Nullification crisis
Jackson also supported states desire to take Native American land, which was desired by many planters for cotton growing thanks to the invention of cotton gin, which led to the Indian Removal Act known as the Trail of Tears. The President managed to push through this measure, despite a lot of pushback in Congress who were sympathetic to Indian rights.
“What is sadly ironic about the attacks on the southeastern indians is that they more than any other Indian groups at the time were doing just what the whites always said they wanted the Indians to do—become Europeanized. Many of them had built farmhouses and were raising corn and hogs, wearing European style clothes, and going to Christian churches. The Cherokee in particular had taken up white ways.”
May 31, 2021
I'm truly enjoying this series! The author stripped away a lot of the social and cultural details, enabling him to focus on the major events of the time. This allows him to convey the whats and whys of history more succinctly without overwhelming the reader in names, dates, and side issues. This series is perfect for those wanting a refresher or those wanting a decent primer without going too deep.
In this installment, the author touched on typical life in America in the early-to-mid 1800s and significant inventions like the steam engine before touching on Andrew Jackson the man and leader, and how the mindsets and behaviors of his day allowed him to be the president he was.
In this installment, the author touched on typical life in America in the early-to-mid 1800s and significant inventions like the steam engine before touching on Andrew Jackson the man and leader, and how the mindsets and behaviors of his day allowed him to be the president he was.
September 25, 2020
Great historical work. Damn you Andrew Jackson, it's all your fault!
December 31, 2020
Good book I wish it went into a little more depth. But I guess that’s what the other editions are for. It was a good study on Andrew Jackson, and his impact on modern America.
February 7, 2021
Andrew Jackson’s presidency is a good example of how the personality of a single man can have far-reaching effects on the formation of a country.
May 12, 2022
Way too apologetic for Andrew Jackson and people of the time.
August 27, 2016
read 8/23/16
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews