Final answer:
Andrew Jackson's journey from an orphan to a national leader exemplifies the concept of a self-made man in American history, reflecting the American ethos of individualism and upward mobility.
Step-by-step explanation:
Andrew Jackson is a self-made man, with no help from Britain— a true America story of us. An orphan from South Carolina, Jackson personified the American Dream as he ascended from his humble beginnings to become a prosecutor, judge, senator, and congressman from Tennessee.
Gaining fame as a Major General in the War of 1812, he became a national hero for his victory at the Battle of New Orleans. Jackson's life, similar to stories of upward mobility by Horatio Alger, exemplified American Exceptionalism and the belief in self-reliance that was prevalent during his time.
The idea of the self-made man was further reinforced by figures such as Herbert Hoover and illustrated by literature like Benjamin Franklin's memoir. These narratives underscored the cultural ethos that hard work could result in great success, irrespective of one's origins. Such a belief was foundational to America's identity, which differed from the class-fixed structures in other nations, fostering a unique sense of opportunity for upward mobility.