Andrew Jackson: Loved/Hated
2023-04-09
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1VOA Learning English presents America's Presidents.
2Andrew Jackson, the seventh president, was unlike the earlier U.S. presidents.
3His family was poor, he had little education, and he lived on what was then the western part of the country.
4Jackson became nationally known in the early 1800s - first as a fighter against Native American tribes, and then as a general in the War of 1812 against the British.
5His image as a military hero and man of the people made him a popular choice for the presidency.
6But critics said Jackson did not accept any limits on his power.
7He is also remembered for supporting slavery, and for forcing Native Americans from their homes.
8Andrew Jackson's parents were immigrants from Ireland.
9His father died in an accident before Andrew, the third and youngest son, was born.
10When the American colonies entered a war of independence, Andrew and his two brothers fought against the British - although Andrew was too young to be a regular soldier.
11Andrew's oldest brother soon died.
12Then Andrew and his other brother were both captured by British soldiers.
13One cut Andrew's face, leaving a scar that remained his entire life.
14But Andrew, unlike his brother, survived captivity.
15A short time later, Andrew's mother became sick and died.
16By age 15, Andrew Jackson had no living immediate family.
17He had already stopped attending school, but taught himself enough to become a lawyer.
18He moved to what became Nashville, Tennessee, where he developed a successful law career.
19In time, he bought land and slaves.
20Jackson was tall and thin, with red hair and bright blue eyes.
21Sometimes Jackson was playful.
22He loved to dance, hold parties, and play games where he could win money.
23Sometimes he was violent.
24He was known for getting angry easily.
25Jackson fought duels with several men.
26In one, he killed a man who insulted his wife.
27Yet many people liked Jackson's passionate, action-first personality.
28By the time the United States entered the War of 1812, Jackson had been a congressman, senator, and judge.
29Jackson did not have any officially recognized military training.
30But during the War of 1812, he volunteered in the Tennessee militia and quickly took control of troops.
31Many of his soldiers came to respect him.
32Jackson refused to give up, even when the government ordered the militia to disband.
33And, when some of the men wanted to leave, he threatened them with a gun.
34Because he was uncompromising and strong as a tree, soldiers called Jackson "Old Hickory."
35A group of Creek Indians gave him another name.
36After he defeated them in battle, Jackson negotiated a treaty that punished both his Native American enemies and his Native American allies.
37The treaty was more severe than the U.S. government had asked.
38In time, it forced the Creeks - as well as several other tribes - off their land.
39The move was popular with many white settlers.
40It was less popular with the Creeks, who called Jackson "Sharp Knife."
41His best-known military operation was in New Orleans, Louisiana.
42A large, experienced army of British soldiers moved to attack.
43Jackson defended the city with a small group of untrained soldiers.
44His group included volunteers, free blacks, Creoles, Native Americans, and pirates.
45Jackson's ragtag troops not only defeated the British force, but suffered only a few losses.
46Jackson didn't know that the battle came after the British and Americans had already agreed to end the war.
47But his victory there gave many Americans a feeling of pride.
48It also made Jackson famous.
49He became known across the country as the "Hero of New Orleans."
50Voters across the country supported Jackson, too.
51He was especially well-liked in the South and West.
52Many Americans saw him as a man of the people.
53They believed his success came from experience and hard work, not wealth and family connections.
54In the presidential election of 1824, Jackson received more popular and electoral votes than any of the other candidates.
55But, because no candidate had a majority, lawmakers in the House of Representatives decided the election.
56Those lawmakers chose John Quincy Adams, the son of former president John Adams.
57They were persuaded, in part, because a leader in Congress, named Henry Clay, said Jackson did not have the temperament to be president.
58Immediately after Quincy Adams won, he appointed Clay secretary of state.
59The appointment angered Jackson.
60He believed Adams and Clay had entered into a "corrupt bargain."
61In the next presidential election four years later, Jackson defeated Quincy Adams in a landslide.
62And in the presidential election after that, he crushed Henry Clay.
63Jackson wanted to be a powerful leader who controlled a limited federal government.
64But he wanted that government to have power over state governments.
65For example, Jackson refused to let the state of South Carolina nullify, or ignore, a federal law that state officials opposed.
66Jackson said if they failed to obey the law, he would consider them traitors and send in troops.
67In time, South Carolina and Congress were able to reach a compromise on the law.
68Jackson also refused to extend the charter of the National Bank.
69He believed the bank helped industrialists and businesses more than farmers and settlers.
70His move was popular with many voters - especially farmers and settlers.
71But Jackson's opponents warned against the bank veto.
72They disagreed with his economic plan, and they objected to how he had operated outside of Congress.
73Senators censured Jackson for acting as if he did not have to follow the law.
74Jackson's supporters fought back.
75They removed the official criticism from the Senate records.
76Jackson vetoed more bills than the first six presidents combined.
77He actively worked for only one major law: the Indian Removal Act of 1830.
78Jackson believed Native Americans occupied land that should belong to white settlers.
79He also thought Native Americans would be destroyed or lose their culture to white people anyway.
80So he offered several tribes what appeared to be generous treaties to move onto land west of the Mississippi River.
81But the treaties were often unfair or illegal.
82The tribes who accepted rarely received the benefits Jackson promised them.
83And some tribes, such as the Cherokees, simply refused to go.
84Empowered by Jackson's Indian Removal Act, U.S. government officials eventually forced 15,000 Cherokees off their land.
85They were made to march over 1,600 kilometers.
86About 4,000 died on the march. It is remembered as the "Trail of Tears."
87For white settlers, Jackson's Indian removal policies resulted in over 100,000 square kilometers of new land to farm.
88Thousands of cotton planters moved west with their enslaved workers.
89The Indian Removal Act served not only to aid an economic boom in cotton, but to spread slavery further in the United States.
90Jackson had no objections.
91In 1837, Jackson officially moved out of the White House - but he did not really leave the presidency.
92He advised the presidents who followed him from his home in Tennessee.
93Jackson had particular influence over two future leaders: Martin Van Buren, his former vice president; and James Polk, who shared Jackson's beliefs so closely that he was called "Young Hickory."
94Jackson's beloved wife, Rachel, had died before he took office.
95They did not have any children together, but they raised two boys: a Native American orphan who died as a teenager; and a nephew, whom they called Andrew Jackson, Jr.
96The younger Andrew Jackson and his wife lived with the former president in his final years.
97He died in his bed at 78 of old wounds and old age.
98But his legacy remains very much alive.
99Jackson changed the U.S. presidency.
100After him, presidential candidates had to show they could connect with voters, not just lawmakers.
101He also increased the power of the chief executive.
102Jackson often questioned - or dismissed - the power of Congress, the Constitution, and the Supreme Court.
103And, he began the custom of replacing experienced government officials with people whose main qualification was their loyalty to him.
104Critics added to Jackson's nicknames.
105They called him King Andrew, King Mob, or American Cesar.
106The opposition to Jackson led to a new political party called the Whigs.
107Part of Jackson's legacy is the two major party system that exists in the U.S. today.
108But those who loved Jackson really loved him.
109His humble beginnings, rise to power, and defense of the common man inspired them.
110In the U.S., the name of Andrew Jackson is still often used as a positive symbol of American democracy.
111I'm Kelly Jean Kelly.
1VOA Learning English presents America's Presidents. 2Andrew Jackson, the seventh president, was unlike the earlier U.S. presidents. 3His family was poor, he had little education, and he lived on what was then the western part of the country. 4Jackson became nationally known in the early 1800s - first as a fighter against Native American tribes, and then as a general in the War of 1812 against the British. 5His image as a military hero and man of the people made him a popular choice for the presidency. 6But critics said Jackson did not accept any limits on his power. 7He is also remembered for supporting slavery, and for forcing Native Americans from their homes. 8Wild child 9Andrew Jackson's parents were immigrants from Ireland. His father died in an accident before Andrew, the third and youngest son, was born. 10When the American colonies entered a war of independence, Andrew and his two brothers fought against the British - although Andrew was too young to be a regular soldier. 11Andrew's oldest brother soon died. 12Then Andrew and his other brother were both captured by British soldiers. One cut Andrew's face, leaving a scar that remained his entire life. 13But Andrew, unlike his brother, survived captivity. 14A short time later, Andrew's mother became sick and died. 15By age 15, Andrew Jackson had no living immediate family. 16He had already stopped attending school, but taught himself enough to become a lawyer. He moved to what became Nashville, Tennessee, where he developed a successful law career. 17In time, he bought land and slaves. 18Jackson was tall and thin, with red hair and bright blue eyes. Sometimes Jackson was playful. He loved to dance, hold parties, and play games where he could win money. 19Sometimes he was violent. He was known for getting angry easily. Jackson fought duels with several men. In one, he killed a man who insulted his wife. 20Yet many people liked Jackson's passionate, action-first personality. By the time the United States entered the War of 1812, Jackson had been a congressman, senator, and judge. 21Three nicknames 22Jackson did not have any officially recognized military training. But during the War of 1812, he volunteered in the Tennessee militia and quickly took control of troops. 23Many of his soldiers came to respect him. Jackson refused to give up, even when the government ordered the militia to disband. And, when some of the men wanted to leave, he threatened them with a gun. 24Because he was uncompromising and strong as a tree, soldiers called Jackson "Old Hickory." 25A group of Creek Indians gave him another name. After he defeated them in battle, Jackson negotiated a treaty that punished both his Native American enemies and his Native American allies. 26The treaty was more severe than the U.S. government had asked. In time, it forced the Creeks - as well as several other tribes - off their land. 27The move was popular with many white settlers. It was less popular with the Creeks, who called Jackson "Sharp Knife." 28His best-known military operation was in New Orleans, Louisiana. A large, experienced army of British soldiers moved to attack. Jackson defended the city with a small group of untrained soldiers. His group included volunteers, free blacks, Creoles, Native Americans, and pirates. 29Jackson's ragtag troops not only defeated the British force, but suffered only a few losses. 30Jackson didn't know that the battle came after the British and Americans had already agreed to end the war. But his victory there gave many Americans a feeling of pride. 31It also made Jackson famous. He became known across the country as the "Hero of New Orleans." 32A man of the people 33Voters across the country supported Jackson, too. He was especially well-liked in the South and West. 34Many Americans saw him as a man of the people. They believed his success came from experience and hard work, not wealth and family connections. 35In the presidential election of 1824, Jackson received more popular and electoral votes than any of the other candidates. But, because no candidate had a majority, lawmakers in the House of Representatives decided the election. 36Those lawmakers chose John Quincy Adams, the son of former president John Adams. They were persuaded, in part, because a leader in Congress, named Henry Clay, said Jackson did not have the temperament to be president. 37Immediately after Quincy Adams won, he appointed Clay secretary of state. 38The appointment angered Jackson. He believed Adams and Clay had entered into a "corrupt bargain." 39In the next presidential election four years later, Jackson defeated Quincy Adams in a landslide. 40And in the presidential election after that, he crushed Henry Clay. 41A powerful president 42Jackson wanted to be a powerful leader who controlled a limited federal government. But he wanted that government to have power over state governments. 43For example, Jackson refused to let the state of South Carolina nullify, or ignore, a federal law that state officials opposed. Jackson said if they failed to obey the law, he would consider them traitors and send in troops. 44In time, South Carolina and Congress were able to reach a compromise on the law. 45Jackson also refused to extend the charter of the National Bank. He believed the bank helped industrialists and businesses more than farmers and settlers. His move was popular with many voters - especially farmers and settlers. 46But Jackson's opponents warned against the bank veto. They disagreed with his economic plan, and they objected to how he had operated outside of Congress. Senators censured Jackson for acting as if he did not have to follow the law. 47Jackson's supporters fought back. They removed the official criticism from the Senate records. 48Indian Removal Act of 1830 49Jackson vetoed more bills than the first six presidents combined. He actively worked for only one major law: the Indian Removal Act of 1830. 50Jackson believed Native Americans occupied land that should belong to white settlers. He also thought Native Americans would be destroyed or lose their culture to white people anyway. 51So he offered several tribes what appeared to be generous treaties to move onto land west of the Mississippi River. 52But the treaties were often unfair or illegal. The tribes who accepted rarely received the benefits Jackson promised them. And some tribes, such as the Cherokees, simply refused to go. 53Empowered by Jackson's Indian Removal Act, U.S. government officials eventually forced 15,000 Cherokees off their land. They were made to march over 1,600 kilometers. About 4,000 died on the march. It is remembered as the "Trail of Tears." 54For white settlers, Jackson's Indian removal policies resulted in over 100,000 square kilometers of new land to farm. Thousands of cotton planters moved west with their enslaved workers. 55The Indian Removal Act served not only to aid an economic boom in cotton, but to spread slavery further in the United States. Jackson had no objections. 56Final years 57In 1837, Jackson officially moved out of the White House - but he did not really leave the presidency. He advised the presidents who followed him from his home in Tennessee. 58Jackson had particular influence over two future leaders: Martin Van Buren, his former vice president; and James Polk, who shared Jackson's beliefs so closely that he was called "Young Hickory." 59Jackson's beloved wife, Rachel, had died before he took office. They did not have any children together, but they raised two boys: a Native American orphan who died as a teenager; and a nephew, whom they called Andrew Jackson, Jr. 60The younger Andrew Jackson and his wife lived with the former president in his final years. 61He died in his bed at 78 of old wounds and old age. But his legacy remains very much alive. 62Legacy 63Jackson changed the U.S. presidency. After him, presidential candidates had to show they could connect with voters, not just lawmakers. 64He also increased the power of the chief executive. Jackson often questioned - or dismissed - the power of Congress, the Constitution, and the Supreme Court. 65And, he began the custom of replacing experienced government officials with people whose main qualification was their loyalty to him. 66Critics added to Jackson's nicknames. They called him King Andrew, King Mob, or American Cesar. The opposition to Jackson led to a new political party called the Whigs. 67Part of Jackson's legacy is the two major party system that exists in the U.S. today. 68But those who loved Jackson really loved him. His humble beginnings, rise to power, and defense of the common man inspired them. 69In the U.S., the name of Andrew Jackson is still often used as a positive symbol of American democracy. 70I'm Kelly Jean Kelly. 71_________________________________________________________________ 72Words in This Story 73man of the people - n. a politician who understands and is liked by ordinary people 74pride - n. a feeling that you respect yourself and deserve to be respected by other people 75temperament - n. the usual attitude, mood, or behavior of a person 76nullify - v. to make something legally null 77charter - n. a document issued by a government that gives rights to a person or group 78generous - adj. providing more than the amount that is needed or normal : abundant or ample 79legacy - n. something that comes from someone in the past 80chief executive - n. the president of a country 81qualification - n. a special skill or type of experience or knowledge that makes someone suitable to do a particular job or activity 82See how well you understand the story and develop your listening skills by taking this listening quiz.