How Democratic Was Andrew Jackson?

Election of 1824 and 1828

Document 1 In the nation’s early years, only men who owned property or paid taxes could vote By the 1820’s, almost all white males could vote By 1828, all states except South Carolina let voters choose presidential electors

Andrew Jackson Inauguration

Document 2 People adored Andrew Jackson He was the first president from west of the Appalachian Mountains Choose one phrase from this document to help you write your essay.

King Andrew Jackson?

Document 3 Jackson disliked the National Bank because of their strict policies of borrowing money Jackson vetoed the renewal of the Bank’s charter Claimed that the National Bank was unconstitutional Helped win him the election of 1832 Opponents compared him to a bad king He killed the National Bank before 1836 What is the message of the cartoon?

Andrew Jackson Vetoes Bill

Document 4 Why does Jackson not like the Bank of the United States? What are advantages/disadvantages of the National Bank? Bonus question: What current Presidential nominee is going after big banks?

Document 5

Document 5 What argument in Webster’s reply used to show that Jackson’s attack on the bank was undemocratic? Do you believe Andrew Jackson’s anti- bank policy is democratic? Why?

“Spoils System”

Document 6 Jackson favored the “spoils system” Supporters of his election campaign were appointed to government posts in place of existing officials. Was the “spoils system” really a democratic tool?

Pendleton Act of 1833

Document 7 Jackson’s opponents though that he was just giving his buddies jobs They said that he was abusing his powers 1833, Congress passed the Pendleton Act: established a competitive examination system for government jobs Would Jackson supported this reform? Were Jackson’s ideas regarding government appointments democratic?

Removing Native Americans Andrew Jackson supported the white settlers’ demand for Native American land He wanted to move all Native Americans to the Great Plains

Document 8 Do you think Indian removal was a democratic act? How could Jackson spin it to where he looks democratic?

The Cherokee Plea In 1830, Andrew Jackson pushed the Indian Removal Act This law allowed the federal government to pay Native Americans and take away their land The Cherokee refused to leave Georgia and actually assimilated to the culture Worcester v. Georgia = Cherokee can establish own nation Jackson ignored the decision

Document 9 Why was Jackson able to ignore the Supreme Court’s decision? When in history did the will of the majority deny basic rights to the minority? Does a true democracy exist only when basic rights of all are protected?

Trail of Tears 1835 – Cherokees sign the Treaty of New Echota = Cherokees give up all land by 1838 Many Cherokees protested and even senators Daniel Webster and Henry Clay disagreed By 1838 only 2,000 Cherokees had moved west In 1838, soldiers removed 15,000 Cherokees from their land in North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee 4,000 Cherokees died on this trail west https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUILURVoPhw&list=PLqfl3__af vEaMcn-OjrIvfmT6Ix5XfaHV

Document 10 Was the Indian Removal democratic?

Document 11 Does this change your opinion about Jackson’s treatment of Indians. Why or why not?

Nullification Crisis Create a catchy slogan that connects to your views regarding nullification. Create a form of propaganda to illustrate your views on nullification.