Eight Ways Studying United States History Changes Peoples' Perceptions of Famous Americans

While many famous Americans, including the Founding Fathers, have been elevated to a level of reverence not often seen in our society, it must be remembered that these individuals were, after all, still human.

1. Andrew Jackson: Seriously, Why Did We Revere this Guy?

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War hero, famous president, duelist, and that guy on the $20 bill. There can be no doubt that Andrew Jackson made his mark upon the history of the United States. However, recent events have brought Jackson's less admirable contributions into the spotlight. A significant backlash against the Treasury Department's announcement that it would replace Alexander Hamilton on the $10 bill with a woman led eventually led to the decision to instead replace Jackson on the $20 bill. Whereas Hamilton was known for his contributions as the first Secretary of the Treasury, the atrocities committed by Jackson against Native Americans led many to believe that he did not deserve to be displayed on one of the most heavily circulated bank notes on Earth. Recently, it was announced that he would be replaced by Harriet Tubman, who most individuals will agree is much more deserving of the honor.

2. Thomas Jefferson: Is There Such Thing as a Benevolent Slave Owner?

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Thomas Jefferson is synonymous with the founding of the United States. After all, he composed the Declaration of Independence. However, Jefferson has also become known for his involvement in slavery. DNA evidence taken from supposed descendants of Jefferson have shown a high probability that he fathered children with his own slaves. While supposedly Jefferson desired an end to slavery, and was also known for being comparatively more benevolent towards his own slaves than other owners, he nonetheless owned a large number of slaves, who he used as labor both in factories and at Monticello. Historians still debate his position on the controversial subject to this day.

3. John Brown: Doing the Wrong Thing for the Right Reason?

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Famous abolitionist (and, according to the above painting, half-giant) John Brown is most well known for his ill-fated raid on Harper's Ferry in 1859. Brown, a life-long abolitionist who intended to start an uprising among slaves, attempted to infiltrate and capture a military armory from which he would arm more slaves. The attack quickly fell apart, and in the end cost the lives of 22 of his followers, among which were two of his sons. While many may commend his actions as standing up to the horrible practice of slavery, in reality Brown's raid killed several slaves who were not involved in his uprising. Additionally, and somewhat ironically, the first casualty of the raid, a baggage master on an arriving train, was named Hayward Sheppard - a free black man. In addition, famed abolitionist and former slave Frederick Douglass, who had befriended Brown, was strongly against his plans to raid the armory, and actually worked to discourage slaves from joining his uprising.

4. William Tecumseh Sherman: Total Warrior

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A brilliant military strategist and commander, General Sherman has been attributed with helping Abraham Lincoln win re-election through his successes during the Civil War. However, Sherman's philosophy of waging war was that of not just defeating the enemy, but crushing them utterly. Sherman quickly gained the reputation as a butcher and destroyer. Using scorched-earth tactics (which, it is worth noting, are now outlawed by the Geneva Convention), Sherman would not only defeat confederate forces, but would lay waste to supplies and infrastructure. After capturing Atlanta in September 1864, Sherman forced the civilian population out of the city, after which he had government and military buildings destroyed with fire. However, the fires quickly spread out of control, eventually consuming most of the city.

5. Benedict Arnold: Who Betrayed the Traitor?

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Few Americans have had their very names and legacies as firmly destroyed as Benedict Arnold. After defecting to the British during the Revolutionary War, Arnold was branded a traitor to the fledgling United States. However, if one were to look at his reasons for doing so, it quickly becomes clear that he, in fact, was the one who felt betrayed. His many successes as a military leader were diminished by others taking credit for his deeds. In addition, he was consistently passed over for promotions, as well as being accused by his enemies of corruption. Even the government itself attacked Arnold, claiming that he owed taxes even though he had spent much of his own money supporting the war effort. With so many slights against him from the very people and government he had fought so hard to defend, it is little wonder why he decided to switch sides.

6. John C. Calhoun: VP, Senator, Secretary of State, Slavery Supporter

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Voted by Congress as one of the five greatest Senators in U.S. history, John C. Calhoun is still held in high regard through his contributions to the Government. Holding multiple positions over the course of several presidencies, Calhoun certainly left his mark upon the country. However, with the recent backlash against states flying the Confederate Flag, there has been more focus placed upon historical figures who were involved in slavery. The above photo is of a vandalized statue of Calhoun. The reasoning this particular statue was targeted becomes apparent when looking at the background of the person it commemorates. Calhoun was a staunch supporter of slavery, both strong advocating the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850, as well as stating in a controversial Senate speech that slavery was, in fact, a "positive good". Despite his contributions to the U.S, John C. Calhoun is still remembered more for his faults.

7. Aaron Burr: The Guy that Shot Alexander Hamilton

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While the above title seemingly explains the controversy surrounding Aaron Burr, his killing of Alexander Hamilton is only part of the strange story of his life. Burr was indeed the individual who shot and killed Hamilton in an illegal duel, though he was never convicted of the act. The killing of Hamilton left his political career in shambles. However, Burr refused to give up and decided to move west, still pursuing a future in politics. Eventually, though, Burr would be accused, arrested, and tried as the leader of a supposed plot to create a separate country within the United States. While it has never been conclusively proven that Burr actually attempted this (the evidence against him was very weak, and ultimately he was acquitted), he was nonetheless viewed by some as a traitor. With all hope of a future in politics destroyed, Burr traveled to Europe, returning several years later, and supposedly took a new name in order to avoid creditors. He died in 1836, coincidentally the same day he was divorced from his wife.

Roger B. Taney: Supreme (In)Justice

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The name Roger B. Taney is not one that is particularly well known to the average American. However, there is a name that is connected to Taney that is certainly more familiar: Dred Scott. Taney was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court that ruled in the Dred Scott vs. Sanford case that, by law, blacks were inferior and non-citizens, and therefore were not subject to protection by the court.. This ruling is universally considered the worst in the history of the Supreme Court. Taney also presided over the court when the Missouri Compromise was declared unconstitutional. While Taney was known to free his own slaves and support those who could not work due to old age, he is less known for his treatment of slaves as his words condemning them as somehow subhuman.