Andrew Jackson: A Populist President
Early Life and Military Career
Andrew Jackson was born into humble beginnings in 1767. He fought in the American Revolution as a teenager and sustained a sword wound to the head for refusing to polish a British officer’s boots. Despite his lack of formal education, Jackson rose through the ranks of the military and became a hero of the War of 1812.
Presidency
In 1828, Jackson was elected as the seventh president of the United States. He was a popular figure among the common people, who saw him as a champion of their interests. Jackson’s presidency was marked by several key events, including the Indian Removal Act, which forced Native American tribes to relocate west of the Mississippi River.
Personality and Legacy
Jackson was a complex and contradictory figure. He was a staunch opponent of elitism, yet he owned slaves and aspired to be a gentleman planter. He was a ruthless Indian remover, yet he also took in orphaned children. Jackson’s personality cult was so strong that his supporters believed he could accept an ornate marble sarcophagus as his final resting place. However, Jackson declined the offer, stating that his “republican feelings and principles” forbade it.
The Hermitage
Jackson’s home, the Hermitage, was a sprawling plantation in Tennessee. He took great pride in its appearance and the quality of his racehorses. Jackson also had a pet parrot named Pol, who was known for squawking her master’s favorite oaths.
Death and Burial
Jackson died in 1845 at the age of 78. He was buried at the Hermitage alongside his wife in a simple ceremony. Despite his wishes for an unostentatious burial, thousands of people attended his funeral.
The Sarcophagus
Commodore Jesse D. Elliott, a close friend of Jackson’s, purchased a marble sarcophagus in Beirut and offered it to the former president as his final resting place. The sarcophagus was once believed to have held the remains of the Roman emperor Alexander Severus. However, Jackson declined the offer, stating that it was too ornate for an American president. Elliott later donated the sarcophagus to the Smithsonian Institution.
Andrew Jackson’s Legacy
Andrew Jackson’s legacy is complex and controversial. He was a populist leader who championed the interests of the common people. However, he was also a slaveholder and Indian remover. Jackson’s presidency marked a turning point in American history, as he ushered in the Age of Democracy.
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