Episode 11: Nullification Nullity

March 24, 2021

In the fourth set of readings from “The Words that Made Us,” Akhil and Andy discuss Andrew Jackson, who mirrored the Constitution: a powerful champion of Union, a disgraceful enabler of slavery.

Andrew Jackson takes the stage in this, the fourth of four sets of readings from Akhil’s forthcoming (May) book, “The Words That Made Us.”  Jackson’s complex makeup, combining qualities from Washington and Jefferson, is revealed, and his status as America’s first truly Western president is explained, as is the shadow that his utter failure on slavery casts. Still, his championing of Union is one of the great Constitutional episodes of the early Republic, and Akhil gives a vivid description of this, the Nullification Crisis.  Somehow this leads to the insight that The Crown is like The Godfather.  Go figure.  The podcast is sponsored by EverScholar (everscholar.org), where a few spots remain for an amazing, immersive learning experience in Greece this August.