Whose Face Is On The $20 Dollar Bill? The Surprising History And Political Battle Over Replacing Andrew Jackson

Since 1928, the portrait gracing the United States $20 bill has been that of President Andrew Jackson, the military hero and seventh President of the United States. However, this long-standing design has been the center of significant controversy in the 21st century. A multi-year effort, culminating in a 2022 Treasury announcement, aims to replace Jackson with Harriet Tubman, the legendary abolitionist and conductor of the Underground Railroad, marking a potential historic shift in American currency.

The decision to feature Jackson on the back of the new Federal Reserve Notes in 1928 was part of a deliberate strategy to create a distinctly American currency, moving away from the portraits of previous Treasury secretaries. For nearly a century, this choice stood as a symbol of a particular era in American history. However, growing awareness of Jackson's policies, particularly the brutal forced relocation of Native American tribes known as the Trail of Tears, has led to a reevaluation of his legacy and the imagery on the nation's money.

Historical Background: From Gold to Greenback

The evolution of U.S. currency is a complex tapestry woven with economic necessity and political symbolism. Before the creation of the Federal Reserve in 1913, the U.S. government issued its own currency, and portraits on banknotes varied widely. The standardization of U.S. currency was a key goal of the Federal Reserve Act, which aimed to create a stable and uniform national monetary system.

When the Federal Reserve began issuing its notes, a competition of sorts existed to determine whose portrait would be used. Treasury Secretaries and other prominent statesmen had previously been featured. The choice of Andrew Jackson for the $20 bill was not the first time his image had appeared on U.S. currency. In fact, Jackson had been featured on earlier versions of the $10, $5, and $20 bills, making him a familiar, albeit controversial, figure on American money long before 1928.

The Reign of Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson, the "People's President," served two terms from 1829 to 1837. His presidency was defined by a fierce populism and a belief in the common man. He is celebrated for his role in expanding democracy, his war against the national bank which he viewed as a tool of the elite, and his victory at the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812. These accomplishments cemented his status as a national hero for many Americans.

However, Jackson's legacy is inextricably linked to policies that caused immense suffering. His most infamous act was the signing of the Indian Removal Act of 1830. This law authorized the forced relocation of tens of thousands of Native Americans from their ancestral homelands in the southeastern United States to territory west of the Mississippi River. The resulting journey, known as the Trail of Tears, was marked by disease, starvation, and death, with thousands of Cherokee, Muscogee (Creek), Seminole, Chickasaw, and Choctaw people perishing.

Jackson was also a slaveholder, and his economic policies benefited the agrarian South, which relied heavily on slave labor. This combination of expanding democracy for white men while simultaneously oppressing Native Americans and perpetuating the institution of slavery creates a deeply conflicted legacy that is central to the modern debate over his portrait on the $20 bill.

The Campaign for Change

The movement to replace Andrew Jackson with Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill has its roots in a broader effort to diversify American currency and acknowledge the contributions of marginalized groups. The campaign gained significant momentum in the early 2010s, fueled by a petition started by then-11-year-old Sofia Bond, as well as advocacy from historians, politicians, and civil rights organizations.

The argument for Tubman is compelling. As an escaped enslaved woman, she made approximately 13 missions to the South and guided over 70 enslaved people to freedom via the Underground Railroad. During the Civil War, she served as a scout, spy, and nurse for the Union Army, and later became a prominent advocate for women's suffrage. Proponents argue that her life embodies the struggle for freedom and equality, making her a powerful and historically significant figure to represent American currency.

In December 2016, the U.S. Treasury Department announced that it would redesign the $20, $10, and $5 bills to feature Harriet Tubman, Eleanor Roosevelt, and civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr., respectively. The new $20 bill was expected to enter circulation in 2020, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote.

Delays and Political Opposition

The timeline for the new $20 bill has been fraught with delays. In 2019, then-Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin announced that the redesign would be delayed until 2026, citing security concerns and the need to modernize currency production. This decision was met with widespread criticism, with many accusing the administration of political motivations, particularly given Mnuchin's earlier statement that the Treasury lacked the authority to make the change without congressional approval.

The issue became a flashpoint in the national conversation about history, race, and representation. Critics of the change argued that it was an attempt to erase history, while supporters saw it as a necessary and long-overdue correction. The debate highlighted the tension between honoring historical figures and acknowledging the harms they caused.

The legal battle surrounding the redesign has been a central obstacle. In 2021, a federal judge in Texas ruled that the Trump administration's decision to delay the redesign was arbitrary and capricious, ordering the Department of the Treasury to proceed with the new design. This ruling provided a significant boost to the effort, although further legal challenges are anticipated.

The Current Status and Future of the $20 Bill

As of late 2023, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing continues to work on the technical aspects of the new design. The U.S. Treasury has stated that it is committed to moving forward with the plan to feature Harriet Tubman on the front of the $20 bill, with a target date of 2030 for the new note to enter circulation.

The delay has not dampened the enthusiasm of many who see the change as a powerful symbol of progress. Artist and designer Chris Costello, who created the digital image of Tubman that has been widely circulated, noted that the new bill represents a shift towards a more inclusive narrative of American history.

"It’s about time that a woman, and a Black woman, who has been integral to the founding story of this nation, is on the money," Costello said. "It’s a statement that says we see you, we honor you, and you are part of our history in a way that is central to who we are as a country."

The redesign of the $20 bill is more than a simple currency update; it is a national conversation about memory, justice, and the values we choose to honor. While the image of Andrew Jackson will likely remain on the $20 bill for the foreseeable future, the push to replace it ensures that the debate over America's past and who gets to be remembered in its most prominent symbols is far from over. The eventual introduction of Harriet Tubman's portrait will mark a pivotal moment in the ongoing evolution of American identity.