Father of the modern Presidency: #7, Andrew Jackson

(Picture taken from www.whitehouse.gov)

1. Stats: Born March 15, 1767
1. Married Rachel Donelson Robards. 
2. Orphaned at age 14. He blamed the British and hated them for the damage they caused his family.
3. Received his nickname for his heroics in defeating the British in NOLA during the war of 1812.
4. His parents were immigrants from Ireland, coming to the US in 1765. 
5. in 1806 he killed a man in a duel, after the man called him "a worthless scoundrel, a poltroon and a coward." 
1. today, I learned that poltroon is a word. and it means 'a wretched coward. huh. (dictonary.com)
2. also note, this was only one of about a dozen duels in which he was a participant.
6. On a similar topic, he is considered the angriest man to serve as president, getting in many fights (many turning violent). 
7. Won the Popular vote against JQA in 1824 but lost the election. 
8. Because he won the popular vote in 1824, he won the popular vote in 3 presidential elections.
9. Jackson was the first president to be the target of an assassination--both the attacker's guns misfired and the President attacked the man with his cane. 
10. greatly contributed to the expansion of executive powers of the President.  (hence the title "Father of the Modern Presidency."
11. He and his wife married before her divorce was finalized (he didn't know this). 
12. Jackson blamed his predecessor, John Quincy Adams, for his wife's death. he claimed that the campaign attacks against her caused her to die. 
13. Even through today, he is the only President that was a prisoner of war. As a teenager he was a courier in the revolutionary war and taken prisoner with his Brother. 
14. During his imprisonment he was ordered to polish the books of a British officer and he refused. The officer slashed his hand tot he bone--the scar remained the rest of his life. 
15. 1798: He was appointed to the Tennessee Supreme Court and served for 6 years. 
16. 1801: with the rank of colonel he was appointed as the commander of the Tennessee militia. A year later he became major general. 
17. First President to take the oath of office on the East Portico of the US Capitol.
18. He was also the first President to invite the public to his first inaugural ball. 
1. Many 'commoners' attended and wore their homemade clothing. 
19. Was considered a 'humane slave owner'. <--yea, that's a thing. Well, at least for that time period he was considered humane. 
20. Only president to serve in both Revolutionary War and War of 1812. 
21. He adopted two native american boys (both died as children). 
22. Senate rejected his nomination of Martin Van Buren as Minister to England. Pres. Jackson jumped up shouting "By the Eternal! I'll smash them!" and Van Buren became Veep and succeeded the President. 
1. I really want to start exclaiming "By the Eternal!" We should bring it back. 
1. Was it ever something that was a 'thing' to be brought back? 
23. He was a fan of rewarding those who supported him and loved his veto power. 
24. All of this centralizing power gained him the nickname "King Andrew I"
25. Indian removal Act: Forced Native Americans to move to reservations in the West. 
26. Let's just go ahead and remind everyone that this led to the Trail of Tears. 
1. US troops led 15,000+ Cherokee from GA to OK. Approx. 4000 natives died in the march.
27. He was a fan of eliminating the Electoral College. 
28. As President Jackson was a widow, hostess duties fell to his wife's niece, Emily Donelson and later co-hosted with Sarah Yorke Jackson (Wife of Rachel's nephew)
29. He had a parrot. This parrot cursed like a sailor and was removed from President Jackson's funeral. 
30. Both North and South Carolina claim they are the birthplace of the President.
31. Helpful for Veterans: The Pension Act of 1832 gave pensions for veterans--whether or not there was an obvious need. 
32. 1836: an act enabling Revolutionary War widows could receive their husbands' pensions. 
33. Panic of 1837: financial crisis. Inflation rose after fed. deposits were withdrawn, Jackson's refusal to renew the charter of the 2nd Bank of the US, and several other reasons. 
34. Jackson was good friends with Aaron Burr. He was even one of the witnesses for Burr's treason trial. 
35. As mentioned in the West Wing, President Jackson had a giant block of cheese at the White House. He received the 1400-pound wheel as a gift in 1835 and kept it in the lobby for 2 years. 
1. Before leaving office he let the public eat it at a reception. 
36. Due to successful trade agreements, exports increased 75% and imports increased 250%
37. Despite initial reluctance to fund expeditions, he created and funded the United States Exploring Expedition--which confirmed the existence of Antarctica. 
38. President Jackson was the first president to ride on a train. it was a 12 mile trip.
39. 1835: First and only president to pay off the national debt. 
40. 2 states admitted in Jackson's presidency---one of which being the best decision ever (in this Michigan girl's humble opinion): 
1. Arkansas in 1836
2. Michigan in 1837
41. As he was leaving office he stated he had only two regrets: he was unable to shoot Henry Clay or hang John C Calhoun. 
42. He had such a terrible cough throughout much of his later years due to a musket ball being lodged in his lung that was never removed. the cough would bring up blood and made his whole body shake. 
43. After leaving office, he was still sought out by current politicians and seen as a wise adviser. Many politicians met with him at Hermitage throughout the rest of his life.
44. Died June 8, 1845

Presidents fact book (Martuz 2009)

http://www.history.com/news/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-andrew-jackson

http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/andrew-jackson