Andrew Jackson's Presidency

Andrew Jackson, the 7th president of the United States, born March 15th 1578 and died June 8th 1945, is known as one of the most influential presidents in United States history. His presidency is also one of the most controversial. While Jackson was known as a “people’s president” and a true advocate of the American freedom and integrity, he was also a man who neglected the minority and abused his power throughout his entire presidency to do so. He mistreated and killed Indians of many different nations, including those who stood by his side in his time of need, just to fulfill his vision of manifest destiny. Though loathed by the Indian nations, Jackson received much praise for his victories as a military leader, and later, a war hero. He …show more content…
So many lives had been taken, most of those being women and children, many people put their heads down to mourn. But not Andrew Jackson. Though wounded and weak from a recent dual, this lit a fire in Jackson’s eyes for this was the “opportunity he had been waiting for all his life.” (Morgan, Robert. Lions of the West, a Shannon Ravenel Book. 2012, pp. 106) He saw this as a chance to not only take vengeance on the British who had caused such strife and anguish in his young adult life, but also a chance to expand the lands in the west while simultaneously riding the lands of the pesky Indians who had constantly given him so much grief. He would finally be able to pursue the vision of a continental U.S populated by all whites. The attack of the Red Stick Indians resulting in the Fort Mims Massacre started a series of events that would end up being devastating to the Indian nations all throughout the western counties. The attack gave Jackson both the will power and support to gain a position of authority, much of which he craved. He used this new position of power to his advantage. Jackson gathered men by the hundreds, some American, some Cherokee Indians and they marched toward the creeks, a battle ending in victory. The defeated Red Sticks were forced to give up their lands and was immediately opened to settlement, just as Jackson wanted. This position of power and authority suited Jackson and he continued to use it …show more content…
Jackson himself was actually quite fond of the Indians, so much in fact, that he and his wife Rachel adopted two Indian boys and raised them as their own. But while he liked the Indians on a personal level and loved his sons, he still viewed them as an obstacle that was preventing him from gaining territory in the west. Land of which he so desired. Jackson’s relationships grew even more complicated as his hunger for expansion grew. He had many Indian allies, and also Indian enemies. He used many Cherokees and some friendly creeks in the “Battle of Horseshoe Bend.” The battle was victorious and although many white and Indian lives were lost, the Red Stick Indians had been defeated and territory in the creek country had been gained. But while the Cherokee Indians stood by Jackson’s side against the enemy Red Stick Indians, this peaceful friendship would soon come to a screeching halt for Jackson believed the Indians must completely submit to the United States. He told the Indians that “both friendly and formerly hostile, they must pay for the expenses incurred by the United States in fighting the war with the Red Sticks.” (Morgan, Robert. Lions of the West, a Shannon Ravenel Book. 2012, pp. 152).The Indians were hurt and astonished. Instead of being rewarded for their bravery and loyalty, they were to be stripped of almost all their lands, and by the hands of whom they had fought next to in