Andrew Jackson " 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 a president."
   
Young Andrew Jackson
 



Andrew Jackson was born in Waxhaw, South Carolina March 15, 1767. His descent is a mix of Scotish and Irish. His religion, Presbyterian. He was the youngest son of a widow, Elizabeth Jackson. His father,whom Andy was named for, died shortly before he was born, leaving his mother to take care of him and his older brothers, squire Robert Crawford and Hugh Jackson. Andy's schooling was minimal, just completing grade school with no thoughts of college. Sadly enough Andy's mother died at when Andy was 14. Before dying Andy's mother had to watch all three of her sons go fight in the Revolutionary War. During the war Hugh died in battle. Both Andy and Robert were captured. Andy nearly died when he refused to shine a British officers shoe. The officer struck Andy in the hand and face leaving permanent scars. Both boys caught small pox while in captivity. Robert died shortly after his release. Andy was released but it was not his last time to be in a war.

Andrew Jackson weighing in at 140 lbs. and being 6'1 with red hair was an imposing figure to other armies, I guess that was why he was appointed "Major General" during the War of 1812. Jackson led 2070 recruits to Natchez, Mississippi only to be ordered by General James Wilkinson to demobilize the force. This did not last for long. Jackson led a much larger set of troops to Florida where they played a key part in obtaining Florida for the American side.

Andrew Jackson held many posistions before becoming president. Included in that list is General of an army, U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator, and Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court. Jackson belonged to the Democratic party.
 
Andrew Jackson: The President



In the first presidential election for Andrew Jackson and vice president John Caldwell Calhoun, his opponent was John Quincy Adams. Jackson won by a count of 56% to 44%. The electoral vote was 178 to 83. In the second election Jackson and Martin Van Buren defeated Henry Clay 58% to 42%. The electoral vote was 219 to 49. During both of his inaugural speeches Andrew Jackson discussed how he would like to hold his powers true to what the constitution designated them to be. In his speeches he also stated his stance on relations with Native Americans, which was to keep peace. He kept peace with the Indians by signing a treaty with the Cherokee nation to prevent the Amreicans from taking too much of their lands. The only problem during both elections was that during each of them Jackson's wife Rachel Donelson believed that the arguments between Jackson and his opponents were getting to be very personal. Rachel took it very hard both mentally and physically. Jackson believed that that is the reason for her premature death. Her tombstone is located at the home of Andy Jackson, The Hermitage. Her death left Andy to take care of their child Andrew Jackson III.

The greatest achievement in his lifetime was the money surplus. During his presidency his greatest achievement was the tariff nullification crisis. His greates failure was the closing of the national bank, which would later put the country in debt. And here's irony for you, Andy Jackson is on the 20$ bill.

Andrew Jackson, though wealthy, was only one of a few of the first presidents not to own slaves. He did not own pets either. He did have a horse for transportation. The horses name I could not find out.

Besides being on the 20$ bill Jacksonville, Florida is named after him. It is fitting since he contributed grately in obtaining Florida. Also right here in Zanesville there is Jackson Road. But there is not a school in Zanesville named after him. Neither is there a mountain or mountain range named after him.
 
Andrew Jackson: After The Presidency

After his presidency Jackson lived eight more years. He died from natural causes on June 8, 1845. He is burried at his home, The Hermitage, along with his wife Rachel.
 
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