Eli Lake

But any solemnity of this momentous event didn't last long. As Jackson's carriage made its way to the White House for a public reception, the throngs of Jacksonians trailed him, and Bedlam soon followed. The mob descended on the free food and drink at the White House.

There were freezers of ice cream, barrels of lemonade, and pails of whiskey-spiked orange punch, along with towers of cakes and pies. In the rush for the good eats, the crowd began breaking glasses and destroying the furniture. It soon became too perilous for the new president.

There were freezers of ice cream, barrels of lemonade, and pails of whiskey-spiked orange punch, along with towers of cakes and pies. In the rush for the good eats, the crowd began breaking glasses and destroying the furniture. It soon became too perilous for the new president.

There were freezers of ice cream, barrels of lemonade, and pails of whiskey-spiked orange punch, along with towers of cakes and pies. In the rush for the good eats, the crowd began breaking glasses and destroying the furniture. It soon became too perilous for the new president.

Jackson's staff locked arms and formed a cordon around him and rushed him out of the White House, back to the hotel where he was staying. For the Washington aristocracy, the scene confirmed their worst suspicions.

Jackson's staff locked arms and formed a cordon around him and rushed him out of the White House, back to the hotel where he was staying. For the Washington aristocracy, the scene confirmed their worst suspicions.

Jackson's staff locked arms and formed a cordon around him and rushed him out of the White House, back to the hotel where he was staying. For the Washington aristocracy, the scene confirmed their worst suspicions.

Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story, who attended the reception, surmised that the party was the reign of King Mob.

Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story, who attended the reception, surmised that the party was the reign of King Mob.

Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story, who attended the reception, surmised that the party was the reign of King Mob.

Trump's first term may have ended in a riot. Andrew Jackson's started with one. What was it about this politician that inspired so many average Americans to his cause? Well, Jackson cared primarily about two things. Destroying the Second National Bank of the United States, which he considered a tool for East Coast plutocrats to further concentrate their wealth.

Trump's first term may have ended in a riot. Andrew Jackson's started with one. What was it about this politician that inspired so many average Americans to his cause? Well, Jackson cared primarily about two things. Destroying the Second National Bank of the United States, which he considered a tool for East Coast plutocrats to further concentrate their wealth.

Trump's first term may have ended in a riot. Andrew Jackson's started with one. What was it about this politician that inspired so many average Americans to his cause? Well, Jackson cared primarily about two things. Destroying the Second National Bank of the United States, which he considered a tool for East Coast plutocrats to further concentrate their wealth.

And the conquest of Native American tribal lands. As a governing philosophy, this did not amount to all that much. But as a populist platform, it promised the average white American voter at least both power and land. So we should get this out of the way. Andrew Jackson was a monster, yes.

And the conquest of Native American tribal lands. As a governing philosophy, this did not amount to all that much. But as a populist platform, it promised the average white American voter at least both power and land. So we should get this out of the way. Andrew Jackson was a monster, yes.

And the conquest of Native American tribal lands. As a governing philosophy, this did not amount to all that much. But as a populist platform, it promised the average white American voter at least both power and land. So we should get this out of the way. Andrew Jackson was a monster, yes.

Even beyond the merciless wars he fought against the Seminole, the Creek, and the Cherokee, by the end of his life, he had enslaved more than 100 people, and unlike George Washington, he did not grant them freedom after he died. He even instructed the post office not to carry abolitionist literature. All true. And at the same time, he was one of the most consequential figures in American history.

Even beyond the merciless wars he fought against the Seminole, the Creek, and the Cherokee, by the end of his life, he had enslaved more than 100 people, and unlike George Washington, he did not grant them freedom after he died. He even instructed the post office not to carry abolitionist literature. All true. And at the same time, he was one of the most consequential figures in American history.

Even beyond the merciless wars he fought against the Seminole, the Creek, and the Cherokee, by the end of his life, he had enslaved more than 100 people, and unlike George Washington, he did not grant them freedom after he died. He even instructed the post office not to carry abolitionist literature. All true. And at the same time, he was one of the most consequential figures in American history.

At the Battle of New Orleans, Jackson's cunning won the day, and it salvaged the otherwise disastrous War of 1812 for the young Republic. It was entirely possible that had Old Hickory not bested the Redcoats in Sin City, New Orleans would have remained under the English crown. In 1818, he invaded West Florida and drove the Spanish out.