Download Unit 7 Performance Level Descriptors

Performance Level Descriptors and Assessment Alignment
Unit 6- Growth: The Age of Jackson
Level I Descriptor: Identify significant individuals, events, and issues in U.S. history
Andrew Jackson: 7th President; war hero from the Battle of New Orleans (1812), known as “Old Hickory.” Lost the election of 1824 despite having
the most popular and electoral votes due to what was known as the “corrupt bargain.” Ran again and won election in 1828 as the first President
from the Democratic Party (won re-election in 1832). While President, he broke and established many precedents, such as using the veto for his
personal agenda (rather than just issues of constitutionality), opposing the national bank, using the “spoils system” for government
appointments, & representing the “common man” as President (as opposed to all of the “I was raised to be a leader” kind of guys before him). He
also eliminated the national debt (sounds good, but has fall out!) and aggressively pursues the removal of Native tribes from eastern lands in the
name of growth and expansion (more on that later!)
Martin Van Buren: 8th President; known as “The Wizard;” Founder of the Democratic Party; Vice-President to Jackson and his successor as
President. Defeated in re-election attempt by Whig (anti-Jackson) candidate William Henry Harrison, in large part because of the Crisis of 1837,
which was largely Jackson’s fault.
John Quincy Adams: 6th President (and first to be related to another); won the election of 1824 after a runoff in the House thanks to Henry Clay’s
support (known as the “corrupt bargain”)
John C. Calhoun: well-traveled politician (meaning he had lots of different positions) from South Carolina, best known for the Nullification Crisis
Henry Clay: became Secretary of State under JQA as part of the supposed “corrupt bargain.” Developed the American System/Plan, which
required the government to play a role in the economic development of the nation through 1) tariffs 2) federal spending on transportation
projects 3) a national bank to be a financial standard and strength
Daniel Webster: Northern lawyer and politician (NH) known for his oratory (speaking ability); a leader in the Whig Party who made a name for
himself based on his Constitutional knowledge and defense before the Supreme Court
Level I Descriptor: Define major social studies terminology
Corrupt Bargain: the supposed deal struck in the runoff in the election of 1824 (between Jackson & JQA) where Clay’s support would go to JQA
to win the election, in exchange for his appointment as Secretary of State (then considered the stepping stone to the Presidency)
Nullification/ nullify: the belief in the right to, or the action of refusing to recognize a federal law
Precedent: an action or decision that is later used as an example, or to justify a similar action or decision; an established custom or practice
Spoils System: the practice of rewarding political supporters with government jobs
States’ rights: (based on the Tenth Amendment) the theory that rights not specifically given to the federal government by the Constitution remain
with the states (in other words, the states each get to decide unless the Constitution specifically says that the national does)
Tariff: a tax imposed by the government on goods imported from another country
Performance Level Descriptors and Assessment Alignment
Unit 6- Growth: The Age of Jackson
Level I Descriptor: Recognize major historical points of reference
1824- John Quincy Adams elected President by the “corrupt bargain”
1828- Andrew Jackson and the new Democratic Party wins the Presidency
1837- economic recession known as the Crisis of 1837 (created largely by Jackson’s attempts to pay off the national debt)
1838-39- Trail of Tears: the forced removal of Cherokees from their homelands in the east
Level II Descriptor: Explain the political development of the United States, including the influence of historical documents, significant individuals,
representative government, constitutional principles, the amendment process, and the ideals of citizenship
TEKS Assessment Alignment:
(8.5F) Explain the impact of the election of Andrew
Jackson, including expanded suffrage
Foundational TEKS:
(8.1A) identify the major eras and events in U.S. history through 1877, including…the Age of
Jackson…
(8.5C) explain the origin and development of American political parties
Level II Descriptor: Analyze the causes & effects of the Civil War including slavery, the development of sectionalism, states’ rights, &
Reconstruction
TEKS Assessment Alignment:
(8.17B) Explain constitutional issues arising over
the issue of states' rights, including the
Nullification Crisis and the Civil War.
Foundational TEKS:
(8.1A) identify the major eras and events in U.S. history through 1877, including…the Age of
Jackson…
(8.5B) summarize arguments regarding protective tariffs, taxation, and the banking system
(8.7A) analyze the impact of tariff policies on sections of the United States before the Civil War
(8.7D) identify the provisions and compare the effects of congressional conflicts and
compromises prior to the Civil War, including the roles of John Quincy Adams, John C.
Calhoun, Henry Clay, and Daniel Webster
Level II Descriptor: Describe the economic, political, and social factors associated with U.S. expansion
TEKS Assessment Alignment:
(8.5G) analyze the reasons for the removal and
resettlement of Cherokee Indians during the
Jacksonian era, including the Indian Removal Act,
Worcester v. Georgia, and the Trail of Tears
Foundational TEKS:
(8.23C) Identify ways conflicts between people from various racial, ethnic, and religious
groups were resolved