US Presidents Andrew Jackson Essay - 1694 Words

Andrew Jackson—our country’s seventh President and a decorated army general—is one of the most controversial figures in American history. Many praise him for his role in bringing about popular democracy and individual rights; however, Jackson’s role in the Indian Removal Act, his extreme racism, and his support for slavery cause many to question his legacy. Jackson’s involvement in the Seminole Wars is particularly disturbing since he not only authorized but actively encouraged the use of force against the women and children of the Seminole tribe. While Jackson was by no means the first leader to target civilian populations as a means to winning wars, the Seminole Wars are a particularly brutal example of this approach. The Seminole Wars†¦show more content†¦The Seminoles retaliated by attacking a U.S. Army boat and killing 34 soldiers, six women, and beating the brains out of four children. This act of aggression marked the start of the S eminole Wars. The administration of President James Monroe acted quickly and decisively by sending General Andrew Jackson to the region and gave him â€Å"full power to conduct the war as he think best† effectively giving him free reign. Jackson marched from Nashville to Fort Scott on a path of destruction with 500 soldiers, 1000 militiamen and 1800 Creek warriors. General Jackson was intent on squashing the Seminoles and if possible taking the Florida territory from Spain. General Jackson’s forces first destroyed completely the Seminole village of Miccosukee, burning 300 houses and taking all of their cattle and corn. Jackson then targeted St. Marks, a Spanish fort, where the Americans executed two civilians—Alexander Arbuthnot and Hillis Haya—whom Jackson considered to be Indian sympathizers. Jackson next moved on to Bowlegs Town where the U.S. troops killed 37 warriors and captured 97 women and children before General Jackson ordered the town to be destroyed. Upon hearing that there were hostile Seminoles in Pensacola, the future president marched his army 240 miles west and the Americans were able to occupy Pensacola without resistance. Following this victory, Jackson considered the war against the Seminoles to be complete but the General believedShow MoreRelatedAndrew Jackson : The Fifth Us President Essay2292 Words   |  10 Pages Andrew Jackson, born 15 March 1767, was the seventh US President (1829-1837) and was a part of the Democratic Party (Andrew Jackson - U.S. Presidents - HISTORY.com, 2009). His early life began in hardship in poverty as a son of Irish immigrants whose family died during the British invasion of the Carolinas (1780-1781) (Andrew Jackson - U.S. Presidents - HISTORY.com, 2009). Despite life’s unforgiving nature, he managed to study law during his teenage life and challenged the Carolina bar in 1787Read MoreThe Doctrine Of The United States Essay1598 Words   |  7 Pagesfurther colonized by European countrie s and the that US would neither interfere with existing European colonies nor meddle in the internal concerns of European countries. Adams-Onis Treaty aka Transcontinental Treaty of 1819; settled a border dispute in North America between the US and Spain; treaty was a result of increasing tension between the US and Spain regarding territorial rights at a time of weakened Spanish power; the treaty ceded Florida to the US, settled a boundary dispute along the Sabine RiverRead MoreUnit 9 Ids. The â€Å"Corrupt Bargain† Of 1824 – Henry Clay,1501 Words   |  7 PagesHenry Clay, speaker of the house opposed Andrew Jackson and supported John Quincy Adams. When it was time to vote, John Quincy Adams got the majority even though Jackson had the popular vote. Jackson believed Adams and Clay struck a deal that Adams would win in return for Clay becoming Secretary of State. Henry Clay – Speaker of the house accused of making the â€Å"corrupt bargain† therefore becoming an enemy of Jackson and Jacksonian democrats. Clay and Jackson opposed each other on many things includingRead MorePresident Andrew Jackson: A Conflict of Interest Essay913 Words   |  4 PagesAndrew Jackson is without doubt one of the most influential, controversial, and scandalous presidents that held the office. His ideas created the Democratic Party. His creation of the Democratic Party escalated tensions in Washington D.C. and across the political landscape. These actions led to the creation of an opposing second party. His extreme policies and loose interpretation of the US Constitution affected expansion, commerce, and politics of the nation domestically as well as in the internationalRead MoreAndrew Jackson1431 Words   |  6 Pages Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United Stated of America, was born on March 15, 1767 and died on June 8, 1845 in Nas hville, Tennessee. Jackson’s parents Andrew and Elizabeth Hutchinson Jackson were Presyberitains, Scots-Irish settlers whom in 1765 emigrated from Ireland. Andrew’s birthplace is deduced to have been at one of his uncles houses in the Waxhaw’s area between North Carolina and South Carolina, his exact whereabouts is unknown. Jacksons mother emigrated across the AppalachianRead MorePresident Andrew Jackson Should Stay On The 20 Dollar Bill1527 Words   |  7 Pagesachieving the status we now possess have been immortalized in our currency. President Andrew Jackson, is one of the few American leaders that was chosen to live on forever; however, many now argue whether or not Jackson truly deserves the honor to be represented in the 20 dollar bill--- arguing that there are other better qualified people to take his place; an example being Harriet Tubman. I believe that President Andrew Jackson should stay on the 20 dollar bill. Although many of his personal beliefsRea d MoreNative American Perspective on Indian Removal Act807 Words   |  4 Pageswhile others were forced to to leave by the United States Army. Some were even taken away in chains. Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States, strongly reinforced this act. In the Second State of the Union Address, Jackson advocated his Indian Policy. There was controversy as to whether the removal of the Native Americans was justified under the administration of President Andrew Jackson. In my personal opinion, as a Native American, the removal of the tribes was not in any way justifiedRead MoreJacksons and Roosevelts Presidential Legacy1419 Words   |  6 PagesPresidential Legacy Two presidents have been etched into Americas collective consciousness as ambitious goal-setters. Although more than fifty years separated their presidencies, they could be considered parallel presidents. Andrew Jackson and Theodore Roosevelt in essence were considered ahead of their time due to their policies and actions. Those policies and actions are seen currently after almost two centuries later. Andrew Jackson was a fierce and aggressive president thus he was named OldRead MoreOn March 28, 1834, A Storm Arrived The United States Took1673 Words   |  7 Pagesignore. Through, this single message these lawmakers wanted to send a message to the President of the United States or ‘Caesar’ as some were calling him, he had gone too far. This thing that required ten weeks of the Senate’s attention would not change anything but simply to scold the President. But, they drafted and debated this for weeks and finally by a vote of 26 to 20 it passed it read,  "Resolved. That the President†¦ has assumed upon himself authority and power not conferred by the constitution andRead MoreAndrew Jacksons Presidency: Inefficient or Efficient?651 Words   |  3 PagesThe President of the United States is one of the most powerful officials. The seventh president of the United States, Andrew Jackson, made the presidency more powerful because he represented the â€Å"common man.† Jackson grew up in the rural parts of South Carolina and when he was thirteen years old, he joined the army at during the American Revolution War. Jackson was involved in many wars and became a war hero. He fought in the American Revolution and the War of 1812. After serving at war, he would