2. Step 1: Analyzing the question
Directions: The first step in doing any DBQ is determining exactly what the question is asking you to do. Jot down your ideas in your workspace.
Jacksonian Democrats viewed themselves as the guardians of the United States Constitution, political democracy, individual liberty, and equality of economic opportunity.
In light of the following documents and your knowledge of the 1820’s and 1830’s to what extent do you agree with the Jacksonians' view of themselves?

3. Step 2: Recalling relevant information
Directions: When answering any essay question, you should briefly list the main events of the time period addressed before you read the documents (do so in your work space). This will become your "outside information" that you will weave into your essay. Essays that lack this required outside information do not generally receive very high scores.

4. Step 3: Drafting the thesis statement and outline
Directions: Before you read the documents, draft a thesis statement and outline for your essay (in your work space). This will help you organize your thoughts. It will also ensure that you include ample outside information. You will have a chance to revise this after you read the documents and before you begin to write.

5. Sample Thesis Statements
Thesis 1: Jacksonian Democrats, supporters and followers of Andrew Jackson, were indeed the guardians of democracy and the interests of the common people. They insisted on a strict adherence to the Constitution, the expansion of political democracy, and the protection of individual liberty and equality of economic opportunity. There were, however, some areas where they failed.

6. Sample Thesis Statements
Thesis 2: Supporters and followers of Andrew Jackson believed themselves to be the guardians of the Constitution and the common people and took credit for an increase in universal male suffrage during the 1820's and 1830's. However, the issues of slavery, the removal of Native Americans, women's rights, states' rights, and the national bank recharter and veto offered more challenges than the Jacksonian Democrats could successfully handle. The Jacksonian Democrats were more the beneficiaries of political democracy than the guardians of it.

7. Sample Draft Outline I. Jacksonian Democrats and the Constitution
President responsible to the common people
Defies Supreme Court ruling concerning Cherokee
Willingness to use force against South Carolina
Supreme Court and monopoly

8. Sample Draft Outline II. Political democracy
Increased political participation, expansion of right to vote
Spoils system, kitchen cabinet
Labor and unionism
Elections of 1828 and 1832
Formation of the Whig Party

9. Sample Draft Outline III. Individual liberty
American society/democracy
Indian removal policy
Continued existence of slavery
Women's rights

10. Sample Draft Outline IV. Equality of economic opportunity
Veto of Bank, establishment of pet banks/ Maysville Road veto
Specie circular
Panic of 1837 and Whigs
Competition and monopoly

11. Step 4: Analyzing documents
Directions: As you read a document, note the main idea and source. Also think about how each document might relate to outside information as well as to other documents. Jot down notes in your work space.

12. Step 5: Revising the thesis statement and outline
Directions: Revise your thesis statement and outline to amend your main points, if necessary, and incorporate information from the documents.

13. Step 6: Writing the essay
Directions: Now you should be ready to write your essay.