Outsider: Major Characteristics of Andrew Jackson’s Populism and its Commonalities with that of Theodore Roosevelt and Donald Trump

Andrew Jackson’s life, particularly his military accomplishments in the War of 1812, created a reputation and image that allowed him to ascend to the presidency of the United States. While he received his share of criticism during his lifetime for many of his more controversial actions, his status as a war hero and the general admiration of the American people for his position as a nationalist and outsider as well as the high premium that he placed on loyalty, allowed him to rise to power. It was Jackson’s persona, marked by these characteristics, that served as the basis of his populism rather than a particular set of beliefs or policies. This study follows the development of Jackson’s image from the beginning of his life until after his death and notes which parts of his image shared commonalities with populist presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Donald Trump. These presidents bore many similarities to various aspects of Jackson’s persona that aided them in their own populist movements while at the same time revealing the division and tribalism that often accompany populist movements.