Download Stations Activity- Jacksonian Democracy, Nationalism, Sectionalism

United States History
Name:_____________________
Date:____________BLK_______
Unit 3: The New Republic, Growth, and Reform (1789 – 1850)
Station Activity: Jacksonian Democracy, Nationalism, and Sectionalism
Station 1: The Corrupt Bargain (P. 35)
1. Identify the roles of the following men involved in the deal that came to be known as the “Corrupt Bargain.”

John Quincy Adams (The Beneficiary) –

Henry Clay (The Mastermind) –
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Andrew Jackson (The Victim of the Electoral Vote) -
2. How did this event earn its nickname as the “Corrupt Bargain?”
Station 2: Andrew Jackson Finally Wins the Presidency (P. 35)
1. How many more popular votes did Jackson receive than Adams?
2. How many more electoral votes did Jackson receive in 1828 compared to 1824?
3. How would you describe the regions in which Jackson’s political support was greatest?
4. Examine the1828 political election map entitled “Jackson Finally Becomes President.” How does it appear
that the westward expansion of the United States might affect national politics?
Station 3: The Spoils System (PP. 35)
1. Define the “Spoils System” as created by President Jackson.
2. Why do you think the artist of the political cartoon on the “Spoils System” chose to use the symbol of the pig?
3. Look closely and describe other symbols the artist used to convey his message in the cartoon.
4. Think positive or negative. What is the artist’s view of the “Spoils System” created by President Jackson?
5. Why or why not? Do you agree with the artist’s view of the “Spoils System?”
Station 4: Henry Clay Proposes the American System
1. Why was Kentucky Representative and Senator known as the “Great Compromiser?”
2. How did the Tariff of 1816 lead to an increase in sectionalism?
3. Clay and the Whig Party believed the American System would stop the spread of sectionalism and unify the
nation. What were the four key components of this system?
4. What arguments did Clay use to try and persuade the South and West to support the American System?
Station 5: The 1828 Tariff of Abominations (PP. 36-37)
1. Given the fact that many of America’s chief port cities were located in New England, why does the chart show
so much opposition to the tariff in the North?
2. How did the mid-Atlantic states react to the Tariff of 1828? How can this be explained?
3. Examine the states in the South, Southwest, and South. How might one explain the disparity in support for
the tariff in these regions?
Station 6: The War Over the Second Bank of the United States (PP. 37-38)
1. Why did President Jackson veto the re-charter of the Second Bank of the United States?
2. In a sentence or two, summarize President Jackson’s personal feelings against the Second Bank of the United
States.
Station 7: The Indian Removal Act of 1830 (PP. 35-37)
1. Examine the map entitled “Native American Movement: 1830-1842). To what present-day U.S. state did
Jackson and Congress relocate the Native Americans of the Southeast?
2. Why do Native Americans refer to this forced movement as the “Trail of Tears?”
3. Study the political cartoon of President Jackson. Who is he holding in his lap?
4. What is the artist’s view regarding Jackson’s attitude toward the future of Native Americans in the United
States?
STATION 4
Henry Clay Proposes the American System
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T00Cfukgi7E
“Henry Clay and the American System”
Complete Station 4 as you watch the above video.
Henry Clay, Sr. (April 12, 1777 – June 29, 1852) was an American lawyer, politician and skilled orator who represented
Kentucky in both the United States Senate and House of Representatives. He served three different terms as Speaker
of the House of Representatives and was also Secretary of State from 1825 to 1829. He lost his campaigns for
president in 1824, 1832 and 1844. Founder of the Whig Party, Clay was the foremost proponent of the American
System, fighting for an increase in tariffs to foster industry in the United States, the use of federal funding to build and
maintain infrastructure, and a strong national bank.
STATION 5
The 1828 Tariff of Abominations
STATION 6
The War Over the Second Bank of the United States
STATION 7
The Indian Removal Act of 1830
President Andrew Jackson as “The Great Father” (1830)