The American Spirit is one of stubbornness, determination, and courage. As a byproduct of that the American spirit is also one of ignorance and crudeness. From conception, American citizens have largely been rough and rugged – rarely willing to forfeit an inch for what they deem rightfully theirs.
When 32,000 British troops landed in New York harbor, America did not yield. Rather, she sent forth her force of 19,000 hillbillies and hicks to take on the world’s deadliest army.
When all seemed hopeless at Valley Forge and nearly ten men were dying each day, many Americans refused to concede. They courageously endured the winter, and come spring, began seeing success in the battlefield.
In fact, the American spirit is the sole reason America gained independence. George Washington lost more than he won, but his determination to keep troops in the field won the war. The British were worn down and tired, but the Americans weren’t. This spirit has remained long after America’s fight for independence.
Americans pride themselves in their fighting spirit (especially in the South). In today’s America, our military receives 753.5 billion dollars annually, whereas the federal government gives only 79 billion dollars to education. Americans are far from an enlightened people. They are the classless and backwater type – and they pride themselves in that.
And no other president embodied this spirit more than Andrew Jackson.
From his youth, Jackson was as patriotic as could be. At 13 Jackson enlisted in the Revolutionary Army. His time in the army was short lived, however, as he was quickly captured by the British and kept as a POW on a British naval ship.
Yet, Jackson refused to yield. Jackson would take any opportunity to disrespect his captors. In one particular instance, Jackson would not shine an officer’s shoe – which resulted in the officer slashing him across the face with his saber.
Jackson was left scarred both physically and mentally forever, but he proved the American spirit. He never forfeited to his captors. He refused to let anyone force him into compliance.
After Jackson was released from captivity, he continued to be the embodiment of the American spirit. Jackson engaged in numerous duels in his days (some sources report up to him partaking in nearly 100). Many of these duels were in defense of the honor of his wife, Rachel.
His most famous duel occurred in 1806 with Charles Dickinson. Jackson got hit in his chest, inches away from his heart. Bleeding and in pain, Jackson steadied his aim and dropped Dickinson to the ground, mortally wounding him.
Jackson kept that bullet in his chest for the rest of his life. The pain brought on by the lead near his heart was a constant reminder of his stubbornness and grit – all things that make up the American.
Jackson continued to carry the American spirit all the way into his presidency. In 1835, house painter Richard Lawrence attempted to assassinate Jackson. Lawrence took two shots, both of which misfired. Jackson then proceeded to beat Lawrence down with his walking cane – Jackson had to be dragged away from the painter.
The American spirit can even be seen in the way in which Jackson governed. Jackson hated the rich and elite – he especially hated banks and found them to be sketchy. When he was elected president, Jackson engaged in war with Nicholas Biddle, President of the Federal Bank, to ensure the destruction of the Federal Bank.
When Jackson found out his veep, John C. Calhoun, had been writing critical papers about him under an alias in the South, Jackson called him out. Not only that, but did it in front of the federal government at the Jefferson Day Dinner.
“Our Union – It must be preserved.” Then, he toasted right in front of Calhoun – revealing his knowledge of Calhoun’s support of nullification and secession. This moment was some Game of Thrones level shenanigans. It chills me everytime.
If that doesn’t scream American , what else does?
Jackson’s crowning moment, the Battle of New Orlean in the War of 1812, also a stubborn epitome of American spirit. One of only two battles America won in the War of 1812, the Battle of New Orleans is by far the most infamous.
Jackson scraped together a ragtag team of militia, regular troops, and even some black Americans. Jackson had his forces dig trenches into the soft mud on the banks of the Mississippi and dared the British to attack.
Which they did. And, not only did Jackson repel the British, he desemated them. Over 2000 British troops were killed or wounded compared to Jackson’s loss of only 71..
Jackson’s achievements in New Orleans represent the American spirit. It’s the story of an underdog rising above his opposition through cunning tactics and determination.
Can we see Jackson as the embodiment of America? Hundreds of times, he stared death in the eye. Each time, he did not falter. Despite some idiotic moments or personality flaws, Let’s re-examine Andrew Jackson, strong-willed and gritty.
