Should we celebrate
Andrew Jackson?
“He was an inescapable,
quintessential American, but of
what kind? Is he a man whom we
should admire, or is he a man
whom we should despise? Is he
a man whom we should
celebrate, or is he a man for
whom we should apologize?”
Daniel Feller, historian
"Andrew Jackson, I am given to
understand, was a patriot and a
traitor. He was one of the
greatest of generals, and wholly
ignorant of the art of war... He
was the most candid of men, and
was capable of the profoundest
dissimulation... A democratic
autocrat. An urbane savage. An
atrocious saint."
James Parton, biographer, 1859
“To admirers he stands as a
shining symbol of American
accomplishment, the ultimate
individualist and democrat. To
detractors he appears an
incipient tyrant, the closest we
have yet come to an American
Caesar.”
Andrew Jackson: Good, Evil, and the
American Presidency, PBS
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The Election of 1828
Changes in democracy
The spoils system
The Democratic Party
The Cherokee and Georgia
The Supreme Court and
Jackson
 The Indian Removal Act
He may be one of the most divisive men in American history, and
certainly one of the most controversial Chief Executives. Should we
celebrate our 7th President, Andrew Jackson? We will discuss this
question in class on Thursday. To prepare for the discussion, you
should write some notes on the reverse, adding them to the proper
column. Make sure you follow directions and add the two
important items to the online bulletin board.
WHAT YOU MUST DO:
 Watch the introductory video and carefully read “Andrew
Jackson, A Life in Brief” online to get an overview of his
life and times.
 Use the links online to develop an opinion and become an
“expert” on the assigned topic from the list below.
Jacksonian Democracy
Jackson and the Bank
Indian Removal
The Nullification Crisis
Jackson and Slavery
Jackson and the Presidency
 Read AND watch “Was Andrew Jackson a Great
President?” online, making sure you add to your notes on
the reverse.
 Post a single word or phrase that describes or summarizes
Jackson’s Presidency on your class period’s online
bulletin board, along with your first name. You may NOT
repeat any word from your class period.
 Post an insightful higher level discussion question (either
general or specific) on your class period’s online bulletin
board, along with your first name. You may NOT repeat
any question from your class period.
You should also use Chapter 12 in Creating America and/or
the websites posted online to get a general overview of the
major topics of Jackson’s time in the White House:
 The Trail of Tears
 Nullification and South
Carolina
 States’ rights
 John C. Calhoun and Jackson
 Secession discussion in SC
 The Compromise of 1833
 The Force Bill
 Rechartering the National
Bank
 Nicholas Biddle and Jackson
 The Election or 1832
 Jackson’s bank veto
 “King Andrew” and the Whig
Party
Was Andrew Jackson a Great President?”
YES
NO
My questions …