Andrew Jackson’s Role in the Battle of New Orleans

As a senior commanding officer in the United States army, Andrew Jackson was instrumental at defending the nation’s independence against British colonialism. He is credited for having been one of the most distinguished veteran’s of the American Revolution, at one point even being a prisoner of war. Of all his major achievements at the political and military fronts, it was his participation in the Anglo-American War of 1812 that propelled him into nationwide fame and recognition.According to Robert Remini (11) in his book “The Battle of New Orleans”, during the war Jackson exuded nothing short of fierceness and strength, coupled with confidence at the helm of the military.

The revolutionary warfare of 1812 catalyzed aggressive sentiments among Native Americans, which were directed towards white settlers in southeastern United States. The American Indians were led by Tecumseh, who incited Muskogean people living in northern Alabama and Georgia to attack white settlers there.This move culminated into the outbreak of the Creek War after the intervention of the United States forces under the direction of Andrew Jackson as a military general. Jackson guided his team of army personnel through the civil war, which saw approximately four hundred white settlers losing their lives.

During the war, Jackson led his army into victory over the antagonistic Muskogean tribal confederacy at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in 1814.This was also a critical moment for the American army as they had effectively thwarted the British forces’ attempts to create a buffer zone within the southeastern region of the United States. Tecumseh had allied himself with the British colonialists with the aim of creating a resistance against an American expansion into Amerindian ancestral territory. Consequently, Jackson was personally responsible for ending the horrendous Creek War. Defeating the hostile Native American at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend was only one part of Jackson’s military and political accomplishment.After the Creek War ended in 1814, he successfully instituted the renowned Treaty of Fort Jackson.

The letter of the treaty required the Native Americans of Muskogean descent to give up extensive land, 23 million acres, to the American settlers. This agreement was largely necessitated by the apparent high cost of the war on the part of the United States. Along with the signing of the treaty came a promotion for its architect. Jackson was made a major general and effectively became known as the conqueror of the Creek Nation.Jackson exemplified the ideal strategist and managed to incorporate civilians into the United States military as part of the revolt against British occupation.

At the final phases of the War of 1812, British forces consisting of the previously victorious troops of the Peninsular Campaign in Spain advanced towards New Orleans. This meant that New Orleans was being invaded by one of the best military forces in the world. Jackson was beginning to appreciate the inadequacy of his army compared to that being presented by the British Empire.The majority of his army consisted of citizen-soldiers that had to resort to hunting rifles as the United States did not have enough guns and ammunitions to arm them. Most of Jackson's militia consisted of fighters that fell short of epitomizing a professional army. The Tennessee and Kentucky militias in particular were made up of tremendously skilled shooters who just happened to lack the necessary military apparel.

This statement points to the bare truth behind the composition of Jackson’s army.He required as many skilled militants as possible, regardless of their diversity, if he was to stand any chance against the imminent British invasion. These militants did not even need to have previously served in the army. Jackson managed to fight off the British army with considerably fewer casualties.

Considering that he only had two years of previous military experience, this was an impressive accomplishment. The Battle of New Orleans served not only to reiterate the independence of America from Britain, but also went further to showcase the unity of the American society in the face of adversity.The battle allowed America to forcibly seize ownership of scores of valuable land in the South from Britain and their Indian allies. In essence, the battle indirectly improved the economic performance of the United States. During this time, agriculture was the main cog in the economic wheel of the country.

The conclusion of the War of 1812 through the Battle of New Orleans enabled the United States to retain control over the Mississippi River Valley, which was the main agricultural and commercial hub of the region.The participation of American civilians in the War of 1812 in general, and the Battle of New Orleans in particular, strengthened the nationalistic ideals of the American populace. It was this involvement of citizens in the battle that further defended the common virtues held by the American society. Owing to his outstanding efforts at the battlefront, General Andrew Jackson found favor among the American people thereby becoming their president. He was able to prove to the British Empire, and the European continent at large, that the American people made a formidable force in the global arena on their own.Andrew Jackson managed to lead the American people into victory over the British Empire during the War of 1812 without the luxury of a professional army.

He was able to achieve this through his profundity of insight in deciding that citizens were willing to take up arms against potential occupiers. His foresight and military acuity earned him the respect of historians such as Robert Remini, who recognized the undeniable impact he had in the establishment of the American nation. Without Jackson’s input at the Battle of New Orleans, America would have lost prime agricultural land to the British.