Andrew Jackson
Born: March 15, 1767
Died: June 8, 1845
Slaves Owned: 150+
Known For: Being the 7th president, signing the 1830 Indian Removal Act, being a brutal slave owner, being just the absolute worst, really.
Andrew Jackson is so bad, that he basically gets two entries in this project. Tomorrow I'll be focusing on the 1830 Indian Removal Act and it's effects on the Indigenous people, so today I'll focus on Jackson the slaveowner.
Andrew Jackson brought his enslaved humans to work for him at the White House while he was president. He used their labor to build onto and add improvements to the White House. He also seemed to have no problem with slavery, and saw himself as a father figure to his enslaved people. He cared about their wellbeing because to him, a happy slave, was a productive slave, not because he actually cared about them as people. He definitely put profit over humanity. He also had no problem using corporal punishment on them, ordering "disobedient" slaves to be whipped, and putting out advertisements for any of them who ran away.
He also encouraged the USPS to censor abolitionist materials being published and mailed, which the Postmaster General did without qualms.
Andrew Jackson was very much a fan of slavery and did all within his power to uphold it. This, combined with tomorrow's post, will cement him as one of the most horrible presidents, and all around terrible human beings, to ever live in this country. It's not a big surprised that TFG was such a fan of his...
Sources:
A White House history article on slavery and Jackon's household.
Information on the misuse of the USPS.
More information on the USPS misuse.
The Jackson house website statement on slavery.
A History.com article about the controversial nature of Jackson's presidency.
Smithsonian Institute page on Jackson.
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