During the Battle of Horseshoe Bend (United States fought the Creek Indians), the Cherokees were allied with United States forces and, even, saved Andrew Jackson's life in the battle. After the battle, Jackson replied to Cherokee Chief Junaluska, "I will remember this day and the Cherokees; I tell you that I will never betray, nor force, the Cherokees from their homes."
Years later, as the 7th president, Andrew Jackson signed the Cherokee forced removal policies; subsequently, 4000 Cherokees died as a result of the Trail of Tears. Most of the Cherokee were forced onto barren and useless reservations; where it was very difficult to grow crops, and there were few animals to hunt (most animals were on open ranges which were off limits).
I have mixed emotions when I look at the $20 bill and see President Andrew Jackson.
I am just wondering, what is your opinion about Andrew Jackson?
(It has nothing to do with homework.)
2007-07-11 09:26:48 · 8 answers · asked by . 6 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
I don't think much of him, for the reasons you mention. His alleged military victories were exaggerated, he drank too much, he crippled the economy and ran a corrupt government. And his genocide against the Indians is unforgiveable.
2007-07-11 09:35:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think Andrew Jackson was a great president!
Ol' Hickory was a war hero! He was probobly most famous for the Battle of New Orleans, and Jackson's bravery and honor spread far and wide. That'll get you far in life. "Sometimes all a man has is his reputation, his respect", as my father has said.
He had a very strong personality and wanted to do things his way. The women of the whitehouse shunned his wife because she had been married previously and while dating him. After she died, the whitehouse women did the same thing to Andrew's Secretary of Treasury (his wife had done the same thing). Andrew would not take this again, so he warned the men to tell their wives to not be so cruel. When they did not head his word, he fired every one of them.
Now I don't know about the Trail of Tears. It was a very sad time. I am not sure why he wanted all of the indians to move west. True the Cherokees allied with the U.S., but perhapse he was still scarred from wittnessing the scalpings of his dearest war buddies from other indians in battle. I am not sure, but he probobly held a grudge from those times. This is no excuse of course, and it is very sad that so many innocent Cherokees died on the trail.
Aside from that sad period, Andrew Jackson led the country extreemly well, in my opinion. He set out to close the National Bank because in his opinion, it was an unfair organization. It exhisted to make the rich richer, and the poor poorer, and laid too much power and money in the hands of too few people. Determined as he was, Mr. Jackson got it done and shut that bank down.
Once while President Jackson was walking downtown, a man came up and fired two pistols at him, (apparently the president had "prevented" him from becomming the king of England. ?) Anyway, the president whipped out his cane and started beating his assailant until he had to be restrained. (Partly by Davy Crocket) This is an example of the way he was; if anyone dare impune his honor, President Jackson would beat them with his cane for such nonsense.
People born in this time were proud to say they were born or lived in "The Jackson Age." He may have been a little blunt, had many personal enemies, and handled things different than most people, but he knew what he thought was best for the country and it's people and set out to do it with no setbacks or excuses. During this time, the people of America truly loved their president. (Most people....)
Something I find remarkable is that when Andrew Jackson was president, it was the only time in history and still today that America was COMPLETELY debt free! That is increadible, and it would be a wonderful thing if it could happen again.
The trail of tears was a sad chapter in The Jackson Age, but I believe that Old Hickory was an excellent leader. Clearly he was a man of many strengths and many faults, as are we all. I can see why some people may not like him, but I believe that he was one of the greatest presidents and leaders our in history.
Thank you so much for the question!! I hope you enjoyed all of the answers and I enjoyed reading your post!
2007-07-11 10:50:55 · answer #2 · answered by Jaclyn 2 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I think he was a good president except for his Indian Removal policy which was pretty horrible. However, he told the South what was up when he threatened to invade South Carolina in 1832 which was def. the right thing to do.
2007-07-11 17:41:40 · answer #3 · answered by jamisonshuck 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
About the same as my opinion on most of the so called founding fathers.We basically came here decided we wanted this country and slaughtered the Indians that stood in our way.The rest we put on reservations to live in poverty.To this day,Indian reservations have a high rate of unemployed and low income families.
2007-07-11 09:41:52 · answer #4 · answered by mudgirl 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
have no use for Andrew Jackson. Wish that Chief Junaluska had not saved his life.
2007-07-11 11:14:22 · answer #5 · answered by Marvin R 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Considering my great great Grandma was Cherokee and a great great great grandfather Creek Indian - not too fond of him.
Check out this link
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p2959.html
2007-07-11 09:32:49 · answer #6 · answered by producergirl347 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
He makes me think of a phrase that was used a lot in the 90's:
"ethnic cleansing"
2007-07-11 09:41:57 · answer #7 · answered by sudonym x 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thanks for the history lesson, I never understood why they made the Native Americans move, so who ever or what ever was involved never set well with me. Also i always wanted to meet a Native American, being that i'm from the south
2007-07-11 09:37:39 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋