Jackson was from a humble background, and got his first taste of leadership during wartime.
Jackson could certainly claim the title of "self-made man," as he was born to a Scotch-Irish immigrant family in 1767 in one of the Carolinas — historians aren't quite sure which. As a child, he was orphaned and slashed in the face by an English officer during the American Revolution.
Foner says that, while Jackson went on to accrue great wealth and power during his lifetime, his egalitarian streak probably came from a sincere place, due to his obscure background.
He went on to study law, moved to Tennessee, and entered the political realm as the territory achieved statehood. Jackson ended up building a large plantation known as the Hermitage, where he came to enslave 150 men, women, and children by the end of his life.
Jackson's rise in society accelerated when he led an army to successfully defend New Orleans against the British during the War of 1812. Although the war was technically over by that point, Meacham compares this victory to the triumph of Henry V at Agincourt, serving to inspire Americans and bolster Jackson's popularity.
Jackson went on to fight against the Seminole tribe in Florida, in order to seize native lands, oust the Spanish from the territory, and prevent the region from being a haven for escaped slaves.
Jackson's victories against the British and Native Americans ended up cementing his status as a war hero, along with his leadership style — his soldiers referred to him as "Old Hickory" in reference to his toughness.
