Download sectionalism, Andrew Jackson`s

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Elkharbotly, Laura
Period 3, U.S. History
12 August 2013
Lesson 3.2: The Age of Jackson
(p. 132 # 1-4)
Main Idea
During a time of growing
sectionalism, Andrew Jackson’s
election in 1828 ushered in a new
era of popular democracy.
Why it matters now
Jackson’s use of presidential powers laid the foundation for
the modern presidency.
1. Terms & Names
Henry Clay-
A House Speaker who promoted President Madison’s plan to
unify the nation as the “American System”. He stated that it
would unite the nation’s economic interests.
American System-
The American System was the plan by Madison to unify the
nation. It included three major points: establishing a
protective tariff, rechartering the national bank, and
sponsoring development of transportation systems and other
internal improvements. It helped America become
economically independent.
John C. Calhoun-
A southerner from South Carolina who convinced
congressmen from his own region, along with Henry Clay
from Kentucky, to approve the Tariff of 1816.
Missouri Compromise-
A Compromise signed in 1820 by James Monroe that solved
the conflict of whether Missouri should be admitted to the
Union as a slave state or a free state. In the Missouri
Compromise, Maine was admitted to the Union as a free state
and Missouri as a slave state. Slavery was legal in the
southern states, but it was banned in the North with the
exception of Missouri.
Andrew Jackson-
Andrew Jackson won the presidential election against John
Quincy Adams in 1828. He was a wealthy plantation owner
and had faith in the common person. He believed in the spoils
system, which limited federal employees to a maximum of
four-year terms.
Jacksonian democracy-
The political philosophy of Andrew Jackson based on his
belief that common people were the source of America’s
strength.
John Quincy Adams-
Adams succeeded James Monroe as President. He ran for
presidency against Andrew Jackson in 1824 and was elected
by a majority of the states represented in the House.
However, he lost the 1828 presidential election to Jackson.
Trail of Tears-
The Trail of Tears was the routes the Cherokees followed
from Georgia to the Indian Territory. Many Cherokees died
as winter approached and more than a quarter of them were
buried along the Trail of Tears.
Daniel Webster-
Senator of Massachusetts who opposed nullification. Webster
tried to make a campaign issue out of Jackson’s opposition to
the bank.
Martin Van Buren-
Van Buren won the election as Vice-President in 1836 with
support from Andrew Jackson’s support, despite the Whig
Party running three regional candidates against him. He
inherited the consequences of Jackson’s bank war. He was
blamed for the weak economy by voters and lost the election
of 1840 to William Henry Harrison.
John Tyler-
John Tyler was William Henry Harrison’s vice-president. He
became president after Harrison died. He was a strong
minded Virginian and former Democrat. He also opposed
many parts of the Whig program and crushed hopes of
significant Whig reforms.
2. In a chart, write newspaper
headlines that tell the significance
of each date.
Dates
1820
1828
1832
1832
1838
Headlines
Slave Population Skyrockets
Andrew Jackson: Winner of
the 1828 Presidential
Election
Worcester v. Georgia:
Invasion of Cherokee lands
comes to a halt
Andrew Jackson: Victorious
once again
Van Buren orders the
removal of the Cherokee
There were many important events that occurred between 1820 and 1838. Many of these events
had to do with government and disagreeing on the constitutionality of acts of Congress. These
events all caused conflicts and are important parts of American history. Starting in 1820, the
slave population drastically rose and more than doubled within thirty years due to the cotton gin
and agriculture. Oscar Wilde states that, “The fact is, that civilization requires slaves” (Oscar
Wilde, 1821). He is explaining that people needed slaves in order to survive and keep their farms
going. To settle the North and South’s differences, Henry Clay promoted the American System
that would unify the nation’s economic interests. Andrew Jackson won the Presidential election
in 1828 and was re- elected in 1832. Van Buren ordered the removal of the Cherokee in 1838
and they were sent off in groups on an 800-mile journey where most of them died along the Trail
of Tears.
3. In what ways do you think the Missouri Compromise and the nullification crisis of 1832 might
be considered important milestones in American history before the Civil War? Use evidence
from the text to support your response.
The Missouri Compromise was an important milestone in American history because it solved the
issue of whether Missouri should be admitted into the Union as a slave state or a free state.
These agreements helped the North and the South come to peace and settled their problems with
the states. It avoided what could have been a disastrous war between the two sides. The
nullification crisis of 1832 was an important milestone in American history because it allowed
sovereign states to declare whether acts of Congress were constitutional or not. If a state
considered an act unconstitutional, it would be nullified within the state’s borders. Jackson was
furious when South Carolinians declared the tariffs of 1828 and 1832 unconstitutional and
wanted to use the military against South Carolina, but Henry Clay forged a compromise in 1833
of a tariff bill that would gradually lower duties within ten years. Jackson said, “The wisdom of
man never yet contrived a system or taxation that would operate with perfect equality” (Andrew
Jackson, 1832). This explains that all systems created will have its conflicts because there is
never a time when everyone agrees. With this, tensions between the states and the government
subsided and avoided huge conflict.
4. How do you think Jackson might have countered the Whig Party’s accusation that he was
acting like a king? Support your answer with evidence from the text.
Jackson might have countered the Whig Part by claiming himself to be a humble man. He
thought of himself as a man of the people, as he was born in poverty and was the son of
immigrants. He also did not have a college education, yet he was capable of winning the
Presidential election. He also strongly disliked man whose power came from privilege, so the
Whig Party could not really say he was acting like a king. He thought that common people
should get a fair chance in government and limited appointees to serve a maximum of four-year
terms. His belief that common people were the source of American strength was the basis for his
political philosophy called Jacksonian democracy. As Jackson once said, “The great can protect
themselves, but the poor and humble require the arm and shield of the law” (Andrew Jackson,
1821).