1. Students will reflect on the significant ideas of the antebellum period through the policies and character of Andrew Jackson. December 7 th (Pearl Harbor Day)

2. Hope and Destiny In the context of our discussion on Hope, work with a partner to create some “Big Picture Questions” to frame our discussion on the development of American culture.

3. What are the qualities of an effective leader? In the context of the United States, what characteristics should a President possess to be an effective leader? What standard should be established for a President to be memorialized?

4. How would you memorialize them? Presidents that have been memorialized have monuments that depict their defining characteristics:

5. Jackson’s Monument

6. Old Hickory Elected president in 1829 and again in 1833. A war hero from the War of 1812 and from fighting Indians Earns nickname “Old Hickory” Establishes what becomes known as the Jacksonian Democracy Strength of presidency Power to the common man Contrast to equality and educated man

7. “The County Election” – George Caleb Bingham - 1852

8. Some important issues from Jackson’s presidency Doctrine of nullification - V.P. John C. Calhoun declared that the states could refuse to follow any law they viewed unconstitutional Sparked over taxes and the perception that the federal government favored northern industry over southern agriculture. There was as a huge debate in Congress about the rights of states vs. a strong federal government S.C. refused to follow the federal taxes and threatened to secede if the federal government tried to secede from the nation. Jackson threatened to hang the first man he saw if S.C. seceded. (He obviously was for a powerful central government.)

9. All the way to the bank The National Bank – Jackson believed the National Bank benefited the rich and hurt the poor. Jackson vetoed the bill to extend charter for National Bank He stopped using the bank for federal money, he used smaller state banks. (Pet Banks) He caused federal financial insecurities by loaning out more money then these state banks could back. Caused national inflation.

10. Dealt with the issue of Coin Jackson ordered that only gold or silver coins (specie) be accepted as payment for this speculation on real estate (Specie Circular). Designed to cut down real estate fraud Gold and silver is rare, so real estate purchases plummeted People demanded that the banks give them gold or silver instead of paper money, Banks failed On another note, the British were having their own economic problems, so they bought less American cotton, so there was even more stress on the economy! Caused a nationwide depression from 1837 to 1843.

11. The Spoils System The appointment of political supporters to political offices. Believed that long tenure in office led to corruption, so officials should be rotated out of office. Thought it would encourage the common man to participate in elections.

12. Jackson’s Relocation Policy The problem: the Native Americans were sitting on perfectly good land and the Americans wanted it. Jackson viewed the Native Americans as a barrier to westward expansion. Indian Relocation Act - 1830 Forced relocation of all Native Americans living east of the Mississippi River to Indian Territory (modern day Oklahoma). Jackson promised the land to the Natives forever. Did it based on “humanitarian principals” – essentially to protect the Native Americans from the whites. Few Native leaders believed him and fought relocation.

13. Trail of Tears Cherokee’s sued the government and won! Worcester vs. Georgia – Chief Justice Marshall ruled that the state had no right to violate the Indian’s territorial claims. Georgia ignored this and Jackson was okay with it! “Marshall has made his decision now let him enforce it.” Cherokees were eventually forced to sell all their land and move in 1835. (No federal protection!) They had 3 years to get out! Trail of Tears – 1838 800 miles, 18,000 forced to move, 4,000 deaths