Andrew Jackson
| |
| Andrew Jackson 7th President of the United States | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 15, 1767 |
| Died | June 8, 1845 |
| Term | 1829-1837 |
| Political party | Democratic (during Presidency) |
| Vice President | John C. Calhoun |
| Preceded by | John Quincy Adams |
| Succeeded by | Martin van Buren |
Andrew Jackson was the 7th President of the United States, elected as the "Hero of New Orleans" famous for crushing the British army in battle there. His nickname was "Old Hickory." Born in South Carolina but raised in Tennessee, Jackson was the first President ever elected who was not born in Virginia or Massachusetts. He fought at an early age in the battle of Stone Ferry during the American Revolution in 1780. He later fought against the Indians, and against the British during the War of 1812.
As a teenager during the American Revolution, Jackson refused an order by a British officer to polish his boots, and the officer angrily drew his sword and slashed Jackson across his hand and head with it, and imprisoned. For the rest of his life Jackson loathed the British.
Jackson led a contingent of Tennessee and Kentucky sharpshooters who routed over 2,000 British troops in the Battle of New Orleans. This occurred shortly after a peace treaty had been signed by both America and Great Britain but before the news of peace had reached them. It was a great victory for Jackson and became source of enormous pride to the American public.
His military success gave him tremendous popularity with the common man, and he ran for President in 1824. He won a plurality of the votes but no one got a majority and the election went into the House of Representatives, where they chose John Quincy Adams instead. At the next election in 1828 Jackson defeated John Quincy Adams, and then Jackson won reelection in 1832. Jackson survived an assassination attempt in January 1835 when a deranged man fired two pistols at him at point blank range in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol.[1][2]
After honoring the precedent of George Washington to resign after serving two terms as President, Jackson then supported and advised many future candidates, most notably James K. Polk.
Jackson died on June 8, 1845. [3] [4]
Since 1928, Jackson's picture has appeared on the United States $20 bill. This is ironic because Jackson was suspicious of paper money and did not approve of it[Citation Needed].
References
- ↑ http://www.amerisearch.net/index.php?date=2004-03-25&view=View
- ↑ http://www.americanheritage.com/people/articles/web/20070130-richard-lawrence-andrew-jackson-assassination-warren-r-davis.shtml Trying to Assassinate President Jackson
- ↑ Encyclopedia of Presidents Andrew Jackson, Alice Osinski, Children's Press
- ↑ Encyclopedia of Presidents James K. Polk, Dee Lillegard, Children's Press
