Give Me Liberty!: Volume 1

The authors point to Andrew Jackson’s inauguration on March 4, 1829, as marking a significant shift in American politics, symbolizing the rise of the “common man” and reflecting the era’s democratic ideals. Jackson’s presidency, known as the Age of Jackson or Jacksonian Democracy, is notable for embodying key developments of the time, including the market revolution, westward expansion, the expulsion of Indigenous peoples, the growth of enslavement, and the democratization of American political life. Jackson himself, rising from humble beginnings on the South Carolina frontier and achieving prominence through military and political roles, became a symbol of political democracy and the possibilities it offered.

His inauguration drew an unprecedented crowd of 20,000, causing notable chaos at the White House, which some critics, like Justice Joseph Story, decried as “the reign of King Mob” (799). Jackson’s popularity was undeniable, with figures like New York’s Philip Hone acknowledging his widespread appeal despite personally favoring Jackson’s rival, John Quincy Adams. However, Jackson also faced significant opposition, with critics labeling him a tyrant and dubbing him “King Andrew I” (799). This divide led his opponents to form the Whig Party, aligning themselves with historical opposition to royal power.

Jackson’s tenure, the authors argue, also symbolized the United States’ complex relationship with democracy, which has long been a central aspect of national identity and the broader American conception of freedom.