Analysis Of Andrew Jackson And His Indian Wars

Andrew Jackson is often referred to as one of America’s greatest presidents. Yet, evaluating his presidency has proven to be a problematic undertaking. Weighing his accomplishments against his tribulations is often conflicting. Having written three volumes and six novels on the life and presidency of Andrew Jackson, Robert V. Remini (1921-1913) is regarded as a Jacksonian authority. In Andrew Jackson & His Indian Wars (2001), Robert V. Remini unearths many of the atrocities committed against Native Americans by Jackson. Remini argues that Jackson’s experience and sentiment towards natives aided his ascension of the military and political ladders. Throughout the history of the United States, the discussion surrounding Native American relations has been fueled by prejudice and misunderstandings. In Andrew Jackson & His Indian Wars, Remini does not seek to excuse or exonerate Jackson. Consequently, Remini is more focused on analyzing what transpired and why. To support his central themes, Remini uses evidence spanning the entire spectrum of Jackson’s career. Beginning

And that in itself is deserving of merit. The book also has its flaws. From my perspective, Remini could have incorporated primary sources from chieftains, as well as Indian administrators, within the text to give the added opposing perspective of Jackson. Albeit, Remini incorporates quotes from Chieftains, many come from secondary sources (e.g., General Coffee or John Eaton’s accounts of correspondences with Indians). Although Remini claims not to be exonerating Jackson, he makes the case that Jackson did what he thought was the only realistic measure to saves the Indians of the southeast and western frontier from “annihilation” (244). From Jackson’s perspective, he believed he had done the Indians a “great service” (246). History would prove the inverse to be