Compare/Contrast Washington’s inauguration vs. Jackson’s inauguration. What do you see?
Andrew Jackson’s Early Years Grew up very poor in the woods of South Carolina. His father died in an accident. His community was in constant warfare with Indians, he learned to hate and fear them.
Revolutionary War Experience At age 13, Jackson joined the fight against the British. He was captured and famously refused to clean the boots of a British officer, who almost killed him with his sword.
Jackson had a temper and fought many duels. His enemies often insulted his wife b/c they married before she got divorced from her first husband. Life on the frontier was violent and honor was everything.
Jackson’s Growing Fame Jackson moved to Tennessee, married a rich woman, and got elected to the Senate. He was the hero of the War of 1812 after defeating the British at New Orleans.
Jackson runs for president Poor white men had just been given the right to vote for the first time. They voted for Jackson in huge numbers. People in the new Western states also supported him because he was from the frontier too.
The Electoral College
The Trail of Tears The Cherokee were allies with the USA, but Americans wanted their land for cotton farming, especially after gold was discovered there.
The Cherokee did what Americans said Indians should do to be “civilized.” They lived in towns, farming instead of hunting, and created a written language and Constitution, just like the USA.
They lost their land anyway, and were put on the “Trail of Tears” 17,000 were deported to Indian Territory in the middle of winter with no chance to prepare. 4,000 died along the way.
Japanese-American Internment In 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, destroying most of the US navy. The country panicked. The government started arresting (without trials or warrants) Japanese-Americans as possible spies.
No “Just Compensation” 110,000 Japanese-Americans were deported to desert areas. Their property was taken, often with no payment. This is a photo of the Wanto grocery store in Oakland after its Japanese-American owner was interned.
West Coast Communities Were Changed Forever A Seattle elementary school BEFORE and AFTER internment.
The Government Finally Apologized in the 1980’s. Each survivor of the Internment was given $20,000 compensation for their lost property and four years of internment. Was justice served?
Torture in Abu Ghraib Between , the war in Iraq was going very badly for US forces. Soldiers were being killed every day by roadside bombs and guerrilla fighters. Suspected guerrillas were interned in a prison called Abu Ghraib.
Torture in Abu Ghraib Some US army prison guards at Abu Ghraib started abusing prisoners and texting each other pictures that eventually got into the media. Which amendment(s) are being violated in the picture? Write your evidence from what you see in the correct box(es).
Torture in Abu Ghraib This prisoner was made to stand perfectly still for hours and then given electrical shocks whenever he moved. Which amendment(s) are being violated in the picture? Write your evidence from what you see in the correct box(es).
Torture in Abu Ghraib It’s possible that this prisoner killed American troops. Does that mean he deserves to be treated like this? What do you think? Which amendment(s) are being violated in the picture? Write your evidence from what you see in the correct box(es).
Guantanamo After the 9-11 attacks, most Americans were frightened and angry. The temptation to “temporarily” get rid of “due process” and bend the rule book to catch terrorists was very strong.
Guantanamo Back in 1898, the US claimed a small part of Cuba, Guantánamo, and built a naval base there. Since it is not technically US soil, and because Al Qaeda declared war on the US, the government claimed that it could hold suspects there “for the duration of the conflict.”
Guantanamo Some prisoners have been held in this prison for over 10 years. Some have not been allowed a public trial. A few have not been allowed a trial at all, since some of the evidence against them is secret, and some came from torturing suspects.
Guantanamo It’s likely that some prisoners are terrorists. Does that mean they do not deserve a chance to prove that they are innocent? What do you think? Which amendment(s) are being violated in Guantanamo? Write your evidence in the correct box