Tag: Andrew Jackson

The Last Founding Father: James Monroe and a Nation’s Call to Greatness – Harlow Giles Unger

On By Genyc79In American History, BiographiesLeave a comment

On September 3, 1783, representatives of United States, Great Britain, Spain, and France signed the Treaty of Paris which officially concluded the American Revolutionary War and recognized the newly formed nation of former British colonies. The founding fathers of the United States soon realized that a monumental task lay before them, and they wasted no time in creating the country they had envisioned as the movement for independence gained momentum. Among the men whose vision shaped the America we know today was James Monroe (1758-1831) who served as America’s fifth president. Having outlived his contemporaries, he is accurately referred to as the last founding father by author Harlow Giles Unger who returns with another engaging biography of an American leader. 

I previously reviewed Unger’s biography of President John Quincy Adams (1767-1848), a book which I could not put down as I read the life story of an American figure who helped change the course of history. Adams makes an appearance in this book as well, when President Monroe entrusts him with tasks crucial to America’s development. However, the focus of this story is on Monroe and his incredible life. I approached the book with limited information on Monroe. In school, his name was remembered for the policy which bears his name, the Monroe Doctrine. The story behind Monroe’s 1823 congressional address in which he laid forth the doctrine’s goals is told within, providing readers with an inside look into the thought process behind the actions of the Monroe Administration. 

Monroe’s story begins in Westmoreland County, Virginia in 1758 as American patriots are beginning to question British rule. The growing young man bears witness to British encroachment, and when the war for independence begins, Monroe joins the Continental Army under the leadership of America’s first President George Washington (1732-1799). The two would go on to have a lasting friendship which is discussed by the author. Monroe also found company in mentor and fellow President Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) who remains a close confidant of Monroe through the rest of the book following their initial acquaintance. Sadly, the same cannot be said of former President James Madison (1751-1836) whose friendship with Monroe took an unexpected turn. The details are contained within, and it is interesting to see the bonds between the men who were responsible for shaping the nation known globally as the United States of America. 

While Monroe was making a name for himself in politics, he also believed in family. He and wife Elizabeth (1768-1830) were deeply in love and she was equally effective at foreign policy as her husband. Her actions regarding the pending fate of Adrienne de La Fayette (1759-1807) in France will surprise readers. She is also remembered as an elegant first lady, and the reasons why are explained in the story. As for James Monroe, building America was paramount, and in 1803, he played a prominent role in the Louisiana Purchase which tripled the size the of the United States overnight. Readers interested in the deal will appreciate this section of the book as the back door dealings spearheaded by Monroe result in a land grab that is still shocking to this day. But while America was growing, England had not forgotten its former colonies, nor its conflict with France, and all hell breaks loose during the War of 1812. The buildup to the conflict is important and Unger explains the events thoroughly and at the right pace. The suspense is gripping, and readers will see the conflict looming in the distance as Europe becomes more unsettled. It would not be the last time that a war in Europe brought America into the conflict. 

Following the war, Monroe returned to the State Department, and in 1816 he makes a decision that changes his life forever when he decides to run for president. With hindsight we know he was successful, and the focus here is on his presidency and his accomplishments as commander-in-chief. However, there is the elephant in the room in every story of America’s early days and that is the issue of slavery. Surprisingly, there is not much about it in the book and early administrations sought to avoid the issue altogether. However, Monroe would be forced to confront the matter during the Missouri Compromise of 1820. Monroe’s position on the matter was unsurprising because he was a slave owner himself just as several founding fathers were. Monroe did see slavery as a threat to the future of the nation and realized that freedom could not exist with enslaved people, but he also reaped the benefits from being a slave owner and believed in the rights of pro-slavery states. He did endorse one plan to rectify wrongs done to African slaves, and it explains the existence of Monrovia, Liberia. The issue of slavery would be decided forty-five years later when the first Republican president did what no leader before him had dared to do.

After departing the White House, Monroe’s life returned to a sense of normalcy, but he faded away from public light and found himself to be a symbol of a bygone era in American history. His legacy had been cemented but the United States was on a new course, chartered by President Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) who remains one of the most controversial leaders in American history. His story is a roller coaster ride on its own and I strongly recommend Jon Meachem’s ‘American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House‘ which is a good source of information about Jackson’s command of the United States. As time passes, Monroe’s life changes and on July 4, 1831, he takes his final breath in New York at the age of seventy-three, leaving behind a legacy which shaped American foreign policy for years to come. If you are searching for an enjoyable book regarding America’s founding fathers, this biography of James Monroe will be a fitting addition to your library.

“The most beloved president after Washington, Monroe was the only president other than Washington to win reelection unopposed.“

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B002RBWF26
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Grand Central Publishing, April 8, 2025 

John Quincy Adams – Harlow Giles Unger

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quincy

Every time I visit New England, I am amazed at the amount of history one can discover. My trips to Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Maine, and Massachusetts have all left a mark as I learned more about the country in which I was born. However, there is still American history I have to learn, and when I saw this biography of former President John Quincy Adams (1767-1848), my curiosity piqued and I knew I had to read it. And what I found is a story every American should know, and we have author Harlow Giles Unger to thank for this remarkable biography of a president who is underrated.

Before starting the book, I was aware of Quincy’s time in office but my knowledge of his personal life and contributions to America’s development was in insufficient. I felt as if I was reading about him for the first time, which deepened my interest and enhanced my shock as I learned of his incredible life. The story begins in Braintree, Massachusetts in July 1767, when Quincy as he is known, is born to John Adams (1735-1826) and wife Abigail (1744-1818). His father served as the nation’s second president and was instrumental in his son’s personal life and political career. I noticed early in the story that Quincy had a strong bond with his parents which proved to be the foundation he needed throughout his journey. But the family was fiercely committed to education and self-improvement, themes which remained with Quincy for life.

Unger’s writing style kept me glued to the pages from beginning to end, and the narrative has an exceptionally smooth flow which maintains a steady pace as Quincy’s life moves forward. Within the first ten years of life, resistance against Britain intensified and culminated with the American Revolution for independence. The conflict, discussed in the book and witnessed by Quincy, had a profound impact on him. Although he was too young to fight the British, he witnessed the importance of independence and sacrifices by patriots resisting British rule. As he ages, the story shifts gears when he attempts to gain admission to Harvard. The saga surrounding his admission is interesting and resembles modern-day anxiety and struggles by students seeking entry into ivy-league institutions. In hindsight, we know he eventually did gain admission, and went on to complete law school. However, the legal field was not all it was thought to be but everything in the book changes when he is selected for government service by President George Washington (1732-1799).

Washington’s offer to Quincy to become America’s Minister to Holland, comes as a surprise but with the urging of his father, he accepts and embarks on a European journey that changes his life permanently. And while America had gained its independence, Europe was still embroiled in revolution and chaos. The unrest across the continent takes center stage, in particular France during the reign of King Louis XVI (1754-1793), who was overthrown and beheaded in 1793. Several years later, another ruler ascends to the throne and forces the world to recognize the name of Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821). He also appears later in the story as the United States expands to the south and west across North America. But there is another component to France’s story in the form of its raging war against England. I could not stop reading as the crisis plays out and challenges America’s foreign policy. What transpires is an eerie premonition of future events in which France requested United States involvement. There is also the issue of the British who have not forgotten the loss if England’s thirteen colonies. Their acts of aggression and the American response show how close we came to war with Britain for a second time.

During the period of 1974 to 1817, Adams traveled around Europe through government positions, and the details of each are too extensive to discuss here. The details are in the book and the stories are fascinating. He developed a lifetime of experience at a very young age but also found time for love which resulted in his marriage to Louisa Catherine Johnson (1775-1852) on July 26, 1797.  Their story is wholesome but the personal tragedies within the Adams family are heartbreaking. It seems for every success there was an equal tragedy which Quincy and Louisa are forced to confront. There are also issues within her family as well, emanating from her father Joshua who causes grief and chaos through his own financial failures. But destiny was waiting for Quincy and his return home in 1817 proved to be the change he needed.

In 1817, President James Monroe (1758-1831) chose Quincy to be his Secretary of State. This decision had monumental ramifications for Adams personally and the political landscape of America. His effectiveness  did not go unnoticed, and history buffs will instantly think of the Monroe Doctrine, which is discussed by the author. Quincy’s star continues to rise and rumors about a presidential campaign soon begin. Curiously, Louisa is not at all thrilled by Washington, and the description of the city by Unger leaves much to be desired. The physical state of Washington seems unthinkable today, but in the 1800s, it was the reality. In 1825, fate intervened, placing Adams in the White House for a single term. And instantly, opponents and opportunists move behind the scenes to secure their own political ambitions. It becomes clear that politics was never for the faint of the heart. The actions of Henry Clay (1777-1852) and John C. Calhoun (1782-1850) are questionable to say the least.

dams’ tenure in the White House is uneventful but opposing forces soon begin to form, throwing their weight behind Andrew Jackson (1767-1845). And it is here that we see the groundwork for the two political parties which dominate American politics today. Jackson is a controversial figure, and Adams was no fan. In fact, his comments about Jackson are similar to others who could not envision the “rascal” or “illiterate” in the White House. But that is exactly what happened. Quincy took his loss in stride but was far from finished with politics. And as a member of the House of Representatives he made his voice loud and clear as he argued for causes which lacked popular support.  I found this part of his story incredibly interesting and as it continues, Adams becomes more outspoken about his convictions which provoke censorship. His anti-slavery stance drew the wrath of pro-slavery congressmen and highlights the hotly contested matter of human bondage.

The outspoken congressman was forcing America to examine its moral fabric, and this won him more support than opposition. And as a gift from above, he finds himself involved in a legal case involving the Portuguese vessel Amistad, manned by slave hunters who had kidnapped Africans from Sierra Leone for transport to Cuba. Mutiny occurred and when it was over, the captain and crew lay dead. The slaves were arrested and sent ashore to the United States where they were tried in court. Adams takes up their defense and his legal training kicks into a high gear as he puts on a master class in what is known as oral argument in the legal field. Today it may absurd that a legal argument over kidnapped human beings was needed, but in 1839, slavery was both legal and encourage in parts of the world. The case and its conclusion cemented his legacy as a champion of human rights.

Behind the scenes, Quincy and Louisa go through their trials and tribulations with brief periods of distance. But she knew she could not keep him down. By January 1848, his health had significantly declined, but staying home was not an option. On February 23, he made his way to the Capitol as usual, but this day would not end like the others. In fact, what happened during the afternoon session left me speechless. But after reading the book, I could not see Adams departing any other way. He lived and died for the success and progression of the United States of America. Today he would be called “liberal” and “progressive” but in his time he was an advocate for the things we still debate today.  The amount of research required for this book could only have been staggering. The author’s beautifully compiled narrative is seductive from start to finish, and at no point in the book did I lose interest. I could not put it down and found myself eager to read more regardless of the time or location. If you are in search of a delightful book about an outstanding leader in America’s past, this is strongly recommended.

“It is of no use to discover our own faults and infirmities unless the discovery prompts up to amendment.”-  John Quincy Adams

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B008EMEH5A
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Da Capo Press (September 4, 2012)

American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House – Jon Meachem

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AndrewThe office of the American presidency is sought by many but obtained by few. And those who do serve can tell you there is no user’s manual and regardless of what you do, there will be pushback to your policies. However, presidents must make tough decisions and find ways to live with their choices. America’s seventh President Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), stood firmly behind his decisions which changed the course of history across North America. But there is more to his story than the policies that defined a nation. In fact, his life was anything but ordinary. His image can be found on the twenty-dollar bill, currency used daily as millions of people go about their lives. But just who was he and why is he so important to the story of America? Well, the answers to those questions plus other interesting facts are contained within this biography that should be required reading in classrooms across America. 

 The title of the book is appropriate, Jackson was a lion of a person. Today we cannot imagine a president who engaged in duels to the death or grapples with assassins. But Andrew Jackson was that leader whose fearlessness stands out in history. But before we reach his presidency, the author takes us back in time to his childhood and the American Revolution, a conflict which Jackson and his brother Robert would be directly involved in. And an encounter with a British troop would leave Jackson with a memory that lasted his entire life as America flourished. The Jackson family found itself in unusual times, but it is not long before tragedy strikes at home. The events that transpire are heartbreaking, and his mother’s demise reminded me to cherish my parents for as many years as they are here. Following service in the military, Jackson eventually finds his way to Nashville, Tennessee and it is here that his legal and political careers are born. However, no one could have predicted then that Jackson would become president.  

I found the story deeply interesting, and students of politics will love how the author has composed the accounts of the election campaigns. It is a course in political history and highlights the importance faced by every figure to preserve the growing union. In 1829, Jackson was elected to the presidency, but comments in the book from those who knew his character are intriguing. He was not the person who most thought should be commander-in-chief. However, he had won public support, and the electoral college cemented his win. During his time in office, he would oversee controversial policies that altered the American landscape. It is imperative to remember that at this time, there was no Republican Party, and the Whigs do not appear until later in the story. In fact, the Democratic Party had not yet been completed and the electoral votes pale in comparison to the numbers today. But in 1828, this was the America that Jackson was chosen to lead. And as the story moves forward, the author takes us on a wild ride. 

There are two events in the book which left me astonished. The first is that Jackson carried in his chest a bullet from a duel in 1806. That insane story is told here and after reading Meachem’s account of what happened, I could only stare in disbelief. Jackson not only talked the talk, but he also walked the walk. The second incident involves the Benton family, and once again gunplay is involved. It is another crazy story from 1813 which caused me to wonder why anyone in their right mind would challenge Jackson to anything. The man was absolutely fearless and not afraid of direct confrontation. Those traits were needed as he navigated Congress and Southern States suspicious of Washington. I should point out that the violent incidents were the result of serious issues, and the story of his late wife Rachel (1767-1828) has to be understood as a primer for the deadly encounters.  Her death shattered Jackson and I learned for the first time that he did not have any biological children. But all hope was not lost, and the arrival of Andrew (1799-1871) and Emily Donelson (1807-1836) into his life was profound. The couple played a crucial role in Jackson’s presidency as shown in the story, at times to great personal sacrifice. And their feud with John (1790-1856) and Margaret Eaton (1799-1879), also part of Jackson’s administration, takes center stage in unpleasant ways. 

Historically, Jackson’s presidency does have its controversy and rightfully so. There are several elephants in the room, and the author does not shy away from them. The first issue is slavery. This should come as no surprise as it was a normal practice in America during that time period. Jackson was deeply anti-abolitionist and a slave owner himself, so it was no surprise to see him urging the protection of human bondage. Admittedly, it was hard to reconcile this image of him with the president who viewed the union as above any man and believed freedom to be paramount. Andrew and Emily were also pro-slavery and the reliance upon enslaved persons remains a dark stain in America’s past. And while I understood Johnson’s views on keeping the union intact, slavery was an issue which would not go  away quietly as America  learned in 1861.

In keeping the union intact, Jackson had to confront an extremely serious crisis brewing in South Carolina in the shape of the nullification crisis over tariffs on foreign goods. The matter was deadly serious and talks about secession were common. The saga is fascinating, and we are given a ringside seat into Washington as Jackson is faced with no choice but to assert the Government’s authority over the states. South Carolina was defiant but Jackson would have none of it. Thus, we learn about the Force Bill which became a showdown between the states and the Federal Government. And this is a story I did not learn in school. 

Both issues above were grave, but we cannot ignore the plight of the Native Americans. And this is a very dark part of Jackson’s term in office and North America. The Indian Removal Act of  1830 and Trail of Tears are discussed by the author briefly, but to fully examine each would require a completely different book. However, the author makes it clear that the forced removal of Native Americans from the South was  inhumane. But in Jackson’s mind, it was the destiny of America, and he did not shed any tears for Indians forcibly removed from their homes. And this adds further complexity to the legacy of Andrew Jackson. 

Following his departure from office in 1837, he faded away from public light but continued to assert his influence behind the scenes. We follow him as he supports his candidate for president Martin Van Buren (1782-1862) who succeeds Jackson as America’s eighth president. Physically, his decline is evident, but I also took notice of his constant health issues throughout the book. In fact, a crucial part of the story is Johnson’s struggles with his mortality and the struggles of those around him, in particular Emily Donelson, who served as the “First Lady” due to Rachel’s untimely passing in 1828. In the end, there is no dramatic scene, but a simple end to the life of a political juggernaut who reshaped America. He was complex, a man of good traits and questionable character, but someone who believed that the Republic was beyond any one person, and that no one should ever forget that. Highly recommended. 

“Jackson’s vision was elementary yet expansive in the context of the early Republic. He wanted a political culture in which a majority of the voters chose a president, and a president chose his administration, and his administration governed by its lights in full view of the people, and the people decided four years hence whether to reward the president with another term or retire him—and them—from public life.” 

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B001FA0JSM
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Random House; 1st edition (November 4, 2008)

Trail of Tears: The Rise and Fall of the Cherokee Nation – John Ehle

On By Genyc79In American HistoryLeave a comment

cherokeeAmerica often has an uncomfortable relationship with its past.  The dark moments in the founding of the nation are sometimes left out of history books and never discussed in conversation.  Native Americans are either viewed with empathy or disgust, typically depending on the observer’s knowledge of history.  Alcoholism, depression and economic instability have continued to plague Native American reservations, given as a token gesture by the United States Government.  In Hollywood, they have often been presented as wild savages determined to murder Americans, only to be repelled by heroic soldiers and cowboys seeking to preserve the union.  The reality however, is that there is much about the Native Americans of North America that remains largely unknown.  In the State of New York where I reside, virtually nothing is taught about the Lenape Indians who owned what is today the Tri-State area, in addition to other vast territories.  In the South, the once mighty Cherokee nation owned land, lived under their own rules and were content with life before the arrival of new  nation, created following the independence of 13 colonies from British imperialism.  Today the Cherokees are an afterthought for most, but at one time, they ruled large parts of what became the future United States of America. This is their story and that of the infamous “Trail of Tears”, that would permanently change the lives the Cherokee Indians.

John Ehle takes us back in time to the late 1700s as George Washington takes his post as the first Commander-in-Chief.  The new colonies need land and expansion is their answer.  But the land they seek is owned by Native Americans who have no desire to leave the only homes that they have ever known.  New settlers become engaged with native tribes and the stage is set for some of the bloodiest conflicts in United States history.   The Creeks, Choctaw, Sioux and Iroquois are just a few of the dozens of tribes that composed North America.  Their removal and partial extinction is similar and relevant to the current story.  And I assure you that after you have finished this book, you will look at American history quite differently.  Further, there is more to the story than just the seizure of land and it is a story that proved to be more than I had anticipated as I began to read this book.

The early parts of the book are detailed with the many skirmishes that occur as the two opposing forces become entangled in conflict.  Reminiscent of Alejandro González Iñárritu’s The Revenant, released in 2015,  relations between White settlers, French settlers and Native Americans were at times fragile and the battles deadly.  Ehle provides detailed and sometimes graphic descriptions of the brutal conflicts that developed which break down the facade of the glorious creation of America.  In fact, I warn readers easily upset that this part of the book might prove to be challenging to read.  The words are uncomfortable but so is the truth and the author minces no words.

The story has its central characters and it becomes slightly difficult to follow as they each make an appearance.  Major Ridge, John Ridge and John Ross become the power players at the top of the Cherokee command. The United States is represented through President Andrew Jackson and Georgia Governor John Forsyth, among others.  Their names and actions often intersect and the story may seem a little confusing at first but once the government’s position is established, the  narrative becomes highly focused as Georgia and Washington put the official plan into action, and the removal of thousands of Native Americans commences. It is here through the Treaty of New Echota in 1935, that the “Trail of Tears” is born and the story takes a dark and regrettable turn.

Earlier I mentioned that there was more to the story and there is one aspect of Cherokee life that is largely unknown and never acknowledge and that is its relationship with slavery in America.   It came as a surprise to me and I am sure that many Americans never learned this in school.   But it is relevant to their story and a part of history that we must understand as we continue to revisit the legacy of the United States.

Predictably, the latter part of the book is focused on the Trail of Tears itself and the deadly impact it had upon the Cherokees and African slaves, forced to march mainly by foot, from Georgia and other parts of the South, out west to Oklahoma, the territory designated for them by Washington.  The full number of people who made the journey is still up for debate but it is quite possible that up to 100,000 were forced from their homes and ordered to move west. The number of Cherokee deaths ranges anywhere from several thousand to as high as 16,0000.   Harsh winters, disease and famine combined to produce a deadly plague that took the lives of many.  And for those that did survive the journey, their lives were never the same again.   And to this day, they have never reclaimed the lives they once had.

In recent years, more U.S. States have taken the bold step of renaming Columbus Day to Indigenous People’s Day, recognizing the complicated and violent history America has with its Native American citizens.  And if we are going to continue to move forward while acknowledging  wrongdoing and correcting it, then we must first learn the true history of America’s birth.

ISBN-10: 9780385239547
ISBN-13: 978-0385239547