Andrew Jackson 7th President of the United States (March 4, 1829 to March 3, 1837) Nickname: "Old Hickory" Born: March 15, 1767, in the Waxhaw area, on North Carolina-South Carolina border Died: June 8, 1845, at the Hermitage in Nashville, Tennessee |
Father: Andrew Jackson
Mother: Elizabeth Hutchinson Jackson
Married: Rachel Donelson Robards (1767-1828), in August 1791 and in a second ceremony on January 17, 1794
Children: Andrew Jackson, Jr. (adopted)
Mother: Elizabeth Hutchinson Jackson
Married: Rachel Donelson Robards (1767-1828), in August 1791 and in a second ceremony on January 17, 1794
Children: Andrew Jackson, Jr. (adopted)
Religion: Presbyterian
Education: No formal education
Occupation: Lawyer, soldier
Political Party: Democrat
Education: No formal education
Occupation: Lawyer, soldier
Political Party: Democrat
Andrew Jackson (March 15, 1767 – June 8, 1845) was the seventh
President of the United States (1829–1837). Based in frontier
Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated
the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend (1814), and the
British at the Battle of New Orleans (1815). A polarizing figure who
dominated the Second Party System in the 1820s and 1830s, as
president he destroyed the national bank and relocated most Indian
tribes from the Southeast to west of the Mississippi River. His
enthusiastic followers created the modernDemocratic Party. The
1830-1850 period later became known as the era of
Jackson was nicknamed "Old Hickory" because of his toughness and
aggressive personality; he fought in duels, some fatal to his
opponents.[2] He was a rich slaveholder, who appealed to the
common men of the United States, and fought politically against what
he denounced as a closed, undemocratic aristocracy. He expanded
the spoils system during his presidency to strengthen his political
base.
Elected president in 1828, Jackson supported a small and limited
federal government. He strengthened the power of the presidency,
which he saw as spokesman for the entire population, as opposed to
Congressmen from a specific small district. He was supportive of
states' rights, but during the Nullification Crisis, declared that states
do not have the right to nullify federal laws. Strongly against the
national bank, he vetoed the renewal of its charter and ensured its
collapse. Whigs and moralists denounced his aggressive enforcement
of the Indian Removal Act, which resulted in the forced relocation of
thousands of Native American tribes to Indian Territory (now
Oklahoma). Historians acknowledge his protection of popular
democracy and individual liberty for United States citizens, and
sometimes criticize him for his support for slavery and for his role in
Notable Events:
- 1829
- Estate of James Smithson funded the establishment of the Smithsonian.
- About 2,000 of Jackson's supporters given government jobs. Jackson also set up a "kitchen cabinet" of informal advisers.
- 1830
- Jackson authorizes Indian Removal Act of 1830.
- 1831
- Samuel F. Smith wrote "My Country, 'tis of Thee."
- 1832
- Jackson reelected.
- Jackson vetoed the rechartering of 2nd Bank leading to the creation of the Whig Party.
- South Carolina attempted to nullify federal tariff laws. Federal troops sent to South Carolina on December 10.
- 1835
- U.S. became debt free (briefly) for the only time in history.
- 1836
- 6000 Mexicans defeated 190 Americans in 12 days at the Alamo on March 6.
The Specie Circular ordered that gold and silver were the only currency acceptable for the purchase of federal lands, issued on July 11. - 1835
- Jackson signs Treaty of New Echota with unrecognized leaders of Cherokee Nation, which allows him to force the Cherokees to move to land in what is now Oklahoma. 4,000 Native Americans die on this journey, also known as the Trail of Tears.
Points of Interest:
- Jackson was the only president who served in both the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.
- Jackson was the only president to have been a prisoner of war. He was thirteen when he joined the South Carolina militia to fight in the Revolutionary War. After his capture, he was ordered to clean the boots of a British officer. Jackson refused. The officer then drew his sword and slashed Jackson across the forehead, leaving a scar.
- Jackson was the first president born in a log cabin.
- Jackson was involved in many duels. A duel on May 30, 1806 against Charles Dickinson was over some unflattering remarks made about Jackson's wife. In this duel Jackson was wounded. After he was hit, he took aim and fired at Dickinson. Jackson's gun misfired. As Dickinson was forced to stand his ground, Jackson took aim once again and killed Dickinson. The bullet that wounded Jackson was lodged near his heart and could not be safely removed. He carried that bullet in his chest for the rest of his days.
- Jackson was the first president to ride on a railroad train.
Notable Quotes:
"It was settled by the Constitution, the laws, and the whole practice of the government that the entire executive power is vested in the President of the United States. "
"You know, I never despair. I have confidence in the virtue and good sense of the people. God is just, and while we act faithfully to the Constitution, he will smile and prosper our exertions. "
"One man with courage makes a majority."
"There are no necessary evils in government. Its evils exist only in its abuses. If it would confine itself to equal protection, and, as Heaven does its rains, shower its favors alike on the high and the low, the rich and the poor, it would be an unqualified blessing. "
"The right of resisting oppression is a natural right."
"If he [the president] speaks to Congress, it must be in the language of the truth."
"No one need think that the world can be ruled without blood. The civil sword shall and must be red and bloody."
"Take time to deliberate; but when the time for action arrives, stop thinking and go in."
"I know what I am fit for. I can command a body of men in a rough way; but I am not fit to be President."
"There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is having lots to do and not doing it."
"The wisdom of man never yet contrived a system of taxation that would operate with perfect equality."
"To the victors belong the spoils."
"It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their own selfish purposes."
"The brave man inattentive to his duty, is worth little more to his country than the coward who deserts her in the hour of danger."
"It is a damn poor mind that can think of only one way to spell a word."
"I hope and trust to meet you in Heaven, both white and black--both white and black. "
"I cannot be intimidated from doing that which my judgment and conscience tell me is right by any earthly power."
"Never take counsel of your fears."
"Any man worth his salt will stick up for what he believes right, but it takes a slightly better man to acknowledge instantly and without reservation that he is in error."
"Peace, above all things, is to be desired, but blood must sometimes be spilled to obtain it on equable and lasting terms."
Retrieved 11/19/2011 from http:/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Andrew_Jackson
1996-2008 Summers, Robert.( 1996-2008). Andrew Jackson. In ipl2: Information You Can Trust: POTUS. Retrieved 11/21/2011, from 2011 http://www.ipl.org/div/potus/jqadams.html Great Presidential Quotes. Andrew Jackson. Retrieved 11/21/2011, from http://www.greatpresidentialquotes.com/index.php?set=details&id=6&page=0
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