Essay Question: Analysis in history is more vital to understanding our past and ourselves than merely remembering names and dates. Consider Andrew Jackson. Examine his policies and personality and defend a perspective (or method) for teaching 'the Age of Jackson' to high school students. Present your thesis as a study of history and an examination of teaching methods.
Project Based Lesson: Demonstrating Native American Culture - Students will examine and demonstrate various aspects of Native American culture and tribal ritual. Students can use multiple methods and content areas. Topics may include examples of Native American rituals, demonstration of Native America music & dance, highlighting tribal structure and organization, exhibiting common practices and objectives of trade, etc.
Readings/Internet: Cherokee Accounts of the Trail of Tears, Letters and Journal of Andrew Jackson
Links Lesson: 1) Compare and Contrast Chart of Andrew Jackson and Harry Truman, 2) Cause and Effect Chart of the Indian Removal Act on Native Americans and US Expansion, 3) Concept Web on the issues and events of each presidency of Van Buren, Harrison/Tyler, Polk and Taylor
Essential Questions: 1) What character traits of individuals would disqualify them for leadership positions? 2) How would the American governmental system be different if political parties did not exist? 3) How could the Trail of Tears have been stopped constitutionally? 4) Is nullification an effective form of political power?5) Does a leader have to be popular to be effective?
Identification Terms
Andrew Jackson
Kitchen Cabinet
Tariff of Abominations
Force Bill
South Carolina Exposition
John C. Calhoun
War against the BUS
Trail of Tears
Cherokee v. US
Peggy Eaton Affair
John Marshall
Judicial Federalism
Henry Clay
American System
Worchester v. Georgia
Daniel Webster
Election of 1828
Martin Van Buren
Amistad Case
Nicholas Biddle
Indian Removal Act
Nullification
Annexation of Texas
William H. Harrison
Haynes/Webster Debate
John Tyler
James Polk
Zachary Taylor
Millard Fillmore
Tariff of 1832
Short Answer Questions
1. Describe the efforts of the Cherokee Tribe to assimilate into American society and justify whether this strategy was effective.
2. How did the Supreme Court decisions of Chief Justice John Marshall shape the democratic development of America? Explain.
3. Was the American System program supported by Henry Clay an effective policy for economic development in the west?
4. Explain why Andrew Jackson attacked and dismantled the Bank of the United States.What were the short & long term results?
5. Is nullification a valid political expression of democratic participation? How would American have changed if it was sanctioned?
6. Should Andrew Jackson have been held accountable for violating the Supreme Court? Why or why not? Did he set an example?
7. Specify the detailed arguments of the Haynes/Webster debates and explain how this debate helped or hurt American unity.
8. Visually describe the Trail of Tears and explain, using narrative, how the Cherokee and other tribes were affected.
9. How should history judge Andrew Jackson? Consider his methods and outcomes and write a brief analysis of his presidency.
10. Describe the influence of party politics in the 1830s by using the Whig Party and the Democrat party as specific examples.