Chapter 12: Democracy in the Age of Jackson (1824-1840)
Unit Theme: Expansion
During the period from 1820 to 1860, from the Missouri Compromise to the eve of the Civil War, the United States grew in several ways. The most dramatic was in territorial expansion. By 1860, the United States stretched from sea to sea, from the Atlantic in the east, to the Pacific in the west. Added to the United States were California and Oregon in the west, and territories such as New Mexico and Arizona in the southwest. The area between the Mississippi River and California was also filling in with Americans determined to carve out a future on the Great Plains. Along with this growth in territory came an expansion of industrial might. By 1860, the United States, led by the northern urban centers, was among the industrial powers of the world, poised to become the world’s economic powerhouse after the Civil War.
During the period from 1820 to 1860, from the Missouri Compromise to the eve of the Civil War, the United States grew in several ways. The most dramatic was in territorial expansion. By 1860, the United States stretched from sea to sea, from the Atlantic in the east, to the Pacific in the west. Added to the United States were California and Oregon in the west, and territories such as New Mexico and Arizona in the southwest. The area between the Mississippi River and California was also filling in with Americans determined to carve out a future on the Great Plains. Along with this growth in territory came an expansion of industrial might. By 1860, the United States, led by the northern urban centers, was among the industrial powers of the world, poised to become the world’s economic powerhouse after the Civil War.
Andrew Jackson
Essential Questions:
Was the Age of Jackson an age of democracy?
Was the Jacksonian Era a time of democratic growth, or did it set the state for an imperial agenda?
How should Andrew Jackson be viewed; as a hero and a patriot, or as a tyrant and oppressor?
Chapter Overview:
The Age of Jackson was an era of expanding democracy and suffrage for white males. Andrew Jackson, the hero of the Battle of New Orleans at the end of the War of 1812, and the leading figure of the period, personified the time. He was from a relatively humble background, his father was a weaver and farmer. Unlike those that preceded him in office Jackson portrayed himself as a man of the people; a representative of the 'common man.' Though Jefferson attempted this persona too, Jefferson was an aristocrat; he was the 'Sage of Monticello,' while Jackson was 'Old Hickory.' Jefferson battled with his pen, Jackson fought with his fists. Jackson was involved in several duels with pistols and killed at least one man and carried the reminders of previous engagements with him until he died. Andrew Jackson, though a lawyer and a land speculator, never attended college, all presidents before him save Washington had. Jackson's time in the White House was marked by three major events: the Nullification crisis, and the war on the National Bank, and the Indian Removal Act. All would help shape the nation in the decades ahead.
Was the Age of Jackson an age of democracy?
Was the Jacksonian Era a time of democratic growth, or did it set the state for an imperial agenda?
How should Andrew Jackson be viewed; as a hero and a patriot, or as a tyrant and oppressor?
Chapter Overview:
The Age of Jackson was an era of expanding democracy and suffrage for white males. Andrew Jackson, the hero of the Battle of New Orleans at the end of the War of 1812, and the leading figure of the period, personified the time. He was from a relatively humble background, his father was a weaver and farmer. Unlike those that preceded him in office Jackson portrayed himself as a man of the people; a representative of the 'common man.' Though Jefferson attempted this persona too, Jefferson was an aristocrat; he was the 'Sage of Monticello,' while Jackson was 'Old Hickory.' Jefferson battled with his pen, Jackson fought with his fists. Jackson was involved in several duels with pistols and killed at least one man and carried the reminders of previous engagements with him until he died. Andrew Jackson, though a lawyer and a land speculator, never attended college, all presidents before him save Washington had. Jackson's time in the White House was marked by three major events: the Nullification crisis, and the war on the National Bank, and the Indian Removal Act. All would help shape the nation in the decades ahead.
Sections:
1) A New Era in Politics (p. 324-328) 2) Jackson in the White House (p. 329-332) 3) Struggles Over States' Rights (p. 333-337) 4) The Presidency After Jackson (p. 338-341 |
Chapter Resources:
Whigs & Democrats Quiz Chapter Self-Test Study Guide - Enriched Study Guide General Classes Political Cartoon Techniques Section Reviews: These reviews are often given in class and are open-ended and T/F questions that you should definitely learn. They cover some of the most important points of the section. |
Content Study Guides
PowerPoint Slide Shows
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Orgamizers
Jackson Essay
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Miscellaneous
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