This article is a few days old & is referring to January 8th, 1815 - For the rest of the century, many Americans celebrated Jan. 8 as much as July 4, and Jackson’s triumph quickly became encrusted in myth and legend. One myth held that the U.S. victory had produced a favorable peace settlement, although the peace treaty, which did not mention the maritime issues that had caused the war, was signed two weeks before, on Dec. 24, 1814. Later this notion was replaced by a more plausible (and persistent) myth that the battle was fought after the war was over. But this, too, was untrue because it took six weeks for the treaty to cross the Atlantic, and the war ended only after it was ratified by the United States on Feb. 16, some five weeks after Old Hickory Jackson’s victory. Other myths have been equally persistent. Among these are the notion that the Kentucky rifle won the battle (it was mainly artillery); that Jean Lafitte and his pirates played a central role (an exaggeration based on a combination of the romantic appeal of pirates and a fake Lafitte diary that surfaced in the 1950s); that the British planned to sack the city if they won – known as the “beauty and booty” myth – (there is no credible evidence for this); and that the British would not have surrendered southern Louisiana if they had prevailed (again, no evidence). These myths have endured because they endow the victory with greater meaning, foster an appealing self-image and promote a notion of unconventional Yankee success that Americans still find attractive. Love him, or not, Andrew Jackson, the first Democratic president, had quite a life since he was 13 - his father died just before he was born & his mother died when he was about 14 - he was an American POW @ 13 along with his 2nd oldest brother during American Revolution - both his older brothers died before the war was over - he was raised by 2 uncles & started his education @ 15 - As for his military career, he was quite the leader, as for president it depends on how you look @ it - 2 things come to mind, Kitchen Cabinet & Petticoat Affair. Too long to go into as much of Jacksons life is -- better to look him up if interested - In 1824, Jackson ran for President against John Quincy Adams. He won the popular vote, but the lack of an electoral majority resulted in the election being decided in the House. It is believed that a deal was made giving the office to John Quincy Adams in exchange for Henry Clay becoming Secretary of State. This was called the Corrupt Bargain . The backlash from this election catapulted Jackson to the presidency in 1828. Further, the Democratic-Republican Party split in two & that is why Jackson became the 1st Democratic president -- A supporter of states’ rights and slavery’s extension into the new western territories, he opposed the Whig Party and Congress on polarizing issues such as the Bank of the United States. For some, his legacy is tarnished by his role in the forced relocation of Native American tribes living east of the Mississippi called the Trail of Tears. The Democratic Party’s first association with the donkey came about during the 1828 campaign of Democrat Andrew Jackson. Running on a populist platform (by the people, for the people) and using a slogan of “Let the People Rule,” Jackson’s opponents referred to him as a jackass (donkey). Much to their chagrin, Jackson incorporated the jackass into his campaign posters. During Jackson’s presidency the donkey was used to symbolize his stubbornness by his opponents.
Posted on: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 01:29:57 +0000
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