Notable Tennesseans Grade 4 Social Studies Online

History Blueprint Skill: A* Identify major Tennessee political leaders (i.e., Andrew Jackson, Sam Houston, James Polk, Sequoyia, David Crockett, and Nancy Ward).

Andrew Jackson Jackson was born in 1767 in Waxhaw, South Carolina, to Scotch-Irish immigrants. He fought as a boy in the Revolutionary War, studied law, and in 1788 moved west to Nashville. He served as a Tennessee prosecutor, judge, congressman, and senator. He won fame as a major general in the War of 1812.

Jackson, Founder of the Democrat Party As a Senator, representing Tennessee, from 1823 to 1825 Then he became the 7th President of the United States. He was given the nickname, “Old Hickory”, representing his toughness as a soldier and a man.

Sam Houston Born in 1793, near Lexington Virginia During his teens, his family settled near Maryville, Tennessee after his father’s death He ran away to an Indian village, where the chief adopted him and gave him the name “Raven”, which he is also known as. The time spent with the Indians gave him a unique look at both worlds, the “red” & “white”

School Teacher: He began a school in 1812 Soldier: Joined Andrew Jackson during the war of 1812 Hero: The Battle of Horseshoe Bend, found Houston with several brave acts. Tennessee Governor: in 1827 President of Texas: 1836

James K. Polk Moved to Tennessee in 1795 with his family from North Carolina. As a young lawyer he entered politics, served in the Tennessee legislature, and became a friend of Andrew Jackson. Governor of Tennessee: 1839 President of US: 1845

Pre-Civil War Cause? He presided over the Mexican War, which added Texas, California, and other territory to the U.S. President Polk added a vast area to the United States, but its acquisition precipitated a bitter quarrel between the North and the South over expansion of slavery.

Sequoyah’s ABC’s Realizing that a key development to the Cherokee Nation was a written language, Sequoyah began matching symbols with their language. It took him 12 years to complete the written language Anyone who could already speak the language, could learn to read and write in 2 weeks.

Sequoyah means Pigs Foot? Sequoyah was born between 1760 and 1776 along the Tennessee River to an English fur trader and a Cherokee woman. Originally given the name George Gist an early hunting accident caused him to be crippled and was given the name, Sequoyah -which means "pig's foot“, in Cherokee. His handicap enabled him to develop his craftsmanship. His disability was both a curse and blessing.

David Crockett: Frontiersman Born in Northeastern Tennessee in 1786 As a young man he was a crafty Indian fighter and hunter. The young Davy no doubt heard tales told by many a westbound traveler - tales which must have sparked his own desire for adventure in the great western territories.

David Crockett: Politician & Volunteer Involved in local and Tennessee state politics from , headed to Texas to explore the frontier. In March, 1836, Davy Crockett, with 139 others, were fighting for Texas and was massacred at the Alamo.

Nancy Ward Born, 1728 in Chota, Tennessee The Cherokee nation's last "Beloved Woman." Nancy was a devout believer in peaceful co- existence with the whites. Nancy constantly traveled the territory diverting conflict between the European settlers and her people, and was the driving force behind many peace agreements - she was a true politician.

Peace Unraveled Nancy was instrumental in negotiating the very first treaty between the white government and the Cherokee. During the years, Nancy watched her work being destroyed as treaty after treaty was broken, and she became increasingly suspicious of the white government. She began to speak out against the continuing sale of Cherokee lands to the whites. Nancy was able to escape the Trail of Tears by fleeing into Tennessee.

Bibliography Links Andrew Jackson: American President American President Sam Houston: The Life of Sam Houston The Life of Sam Houston James Polk: American President American President Sequoyah: Inventor of the Cherokee Alphabet Inventor of the Cherokee Alphabet David Crockett: American West American West Nancy Ward: Nancy Ward: Cherokee Nancy Ward: Cherokee