Andrew Jackson

a democratic supporter of the people

or...

a tyrant?

Background Essay:  

Andrew Jackson: Hero and Villain, Democrat and Tyrant

Historians just can't seem to agree about Andrew Jackson. Some see him as a hero; others believe he was a villain. Some portray him as the common man's warrior, a president who attacked a political system that ignored the people's will. Others say that he was a political tyrant, an executive bully who disrespected the processes and institutions essential to republican government. Some celebrate his defense of individual rights; others condemn his racist removal of 90,000 Indians. Some view him as a great nationalist who saved the Union by denouncing nullification. Others claim that he weakened the nation by supporting Georgia in its defiance of the Supreme Court.

The problem is that all of these conclusions are true.

Jackson ran for president in 1828 determined to restore the will of the people to politics. He believed that politicians had ignored the people's wishes in 1824.  In that election there were four candidates—all Democratic Republicans.  Jackson had more popular votes than any of the other three and also earned more votes in the Electoral College. However, he did not get a majority so the House of Representatives decided the election. When Speaker of the House, Henry Clay, supported John Q. Adams the House elected Adams to be president.  Adams then chose Clay to be his Secretary of State, which infuriated Jackson and his supporters; they called it “a Corrupt Bargain.” Jackson felt true democracy would not be realized until America's political processes were significantly reformed. As a

candidate, Jackson reached out directly to the public, and as president he attacked the institutions that he believed deepened divisions between the rich and the poor.

But Jackson also showed little patience for political processes and institutions that interfered with his "democratic" agenda. He ran for office pledging to restore the voice of the people to American politics—but on several occasions he attempted to overturn the will of Congress, the most democratically chosen of the governmental branches. He interfered further upon the legislative process than any other president, advancing a theory of presidential power that many believed threatened the separation of powers essential to republican government.

Jackson showed greater respect for individual political and economic rights than any previous president. He supported expanding suffrage to all free male citizens, not just wealthy property owners. He sought to increase the number of offices directly elected by the people, and he sought to restore an economic system that protected the rights of small producers rather than corporations and the wealthy.

But when Native Americans turned to the federal government to support their territorial claims, even winning a Supreme Court ruling that affirmed those claims, Jackson turned a deaf ear. He ignored three decades of government precedent, and a clear Court ruling, while implementing a removal policy that displaced over 90,000 people.

Jackson was a firm believer in states' rights—but he threatened to send troops into South Carolina when the state claimed that it had the right to nullify a federal law. In doing so, he broke with his vice-president and angered many in the south.

But Jackson also weakened national authority by siding with the states' rights arguments of Georgia in its battle over federal Indian policy. He undercut the authority of the Supreme Court, approving of Georgia's efforts to ignore the will of the Court in its assertion of federal law.

Was Jackson a nationalist or a supporter of states' rights? Did he defend the political and economic rights of common people or ignore the congress the people elected and deny the territorial rights of Native Americans?  The Document Based Question you must answer is, was Jackson a democratic supporter of the people or a tyrant?

Sources:Shmoop Editorial Team. "The Jackson Era." Shmoop.com. Shmoop University, Inc., 11 Nov. 2008. Web. 10 Jan. 2014.National Parks, Landscape Art and American Imagination. American progress, arthistory327.wordpress.comNew York Times archives

Background Essay Vocabulary and Questions

Vocabulary: Define the following terms.

1. Nationalist/nationalism-

2. Nullification-

3. democratic (lower case d)-

4. Suffrage –

5. Jacksonian Democracy –

6. Spoils –

Answer the following questions.

1. Explain how one might consider Andrew Jackson to be a nationalist?

2. In what ways was Jackson a supporter of States’ Rights?

3. Create a 3-4 sentence summary of the background essay.

4. Predict if the following people would have supported Jackson or not…

Type of American Support Jackson? (yes or no)

Wealthy New York Banker _______________

Western Frontiersman _______________

Southern Plantation Owner _______________

Female Factory Worker _______________

Native American Farmer _______________

Document 1 Source: Margaret Bayard Smith's Eyewitness Account of Jackson's Inauguration (1829)

March 4, 1829 –Inauguration Ceremony

The whole of the preceding day, immense crowds were coming into the city from all parts, lodgings could not be obtained, and the newcomers had to go to George Town…I was told the Avenue and adjoining streets were so crowded on Tuesday afternoon that it was difficult to pass…  No arrangements had been made [and] no police officers placed on duty and the whole house [the White House] had been inundated by the rabble mob…   The President, after having been literally nearly pressed to death and almost suffocated and torn to pieces by the people in their eagerness to shake hands with Old Hickory*, had retreated through the back way or south front and had escaped to his lodgings at Gadsby's. Cut glass and china to the amount of several thousand dollars had been broken in the struggle to get the refreshments, punch and other articles had been carried out in tubs and buckets…...Ladies and gentlemen, only had been expected at this Levee [party], not the people en masse [in large numbers]. But it was the People's day, and the People's President and the People would rule."*Old Hickory was Jackson’s nickname from his military days.  His men claimed he was as “tough as an old hickory stick.”

On election day, in some places, Jackson supporters marched en masse to the polls, in a celebratory parade. An astonishing fact is that the number of voters counted nearly quadrupled over 1824. Four of the 24 states, including New York, took away property requirements for voting, so that basically all white males could vote. In addition, Jackson was saying "Vote for us if you believe the people should govern". In other words, Democrat meant just what the word implied. In December, it had become obvious that Jackson won the election in a landslide. The count was 178 to 83 electoral votes, or 647,276 to 508,064 electoral votes.

Source: University of Groningen

Document 2

Source: South Carolina Ordinance of Nullification (1832)

Document 3

Source: President Jackson's Proclamation Regarding Nullification (1832)

We, therefore, the people of the state of South Carolina, in convention assembled, do declare and ordain [make official]... that the several acts and parts of acts of the Congress of the United States, purporting to be laws for the imposing of duties and imposts [taxes] on the importation of foreign commodities.., are unauthorized by the Constitution of the United States, and violate the true meaning and intent thereof and are null, void, and no law, nor binding upon this State, its officers or citizens; and all promises, contracts, and obligations, made or entered into..., with purpose to secure the duties imposed by said acts... are and shall be held utterly null and void.

The ordinance is founded, not on the right of resisting acts which are plainly unconstitutional, and too oppressive to be endured, but on the strange position that any one State may not only declare an act of Congress void, but prohibit its execution—that they may do this consistently with the Constitution—that the true construction of that instrument permits a State to retain its place in the Union, and yet be bound by no other of its laws than those it may choose to consider as constitutional…  But reasoning on this subject is superfluous [not necessary], when our social compact [the Constitution] in express terms declares, that the laws of the United States, its Constitution, and treaties made under it, are the supreme law of the land; and for greater caution adds, "that the judges in every State shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding."  Look, for a moment, to the consequence. If South Carolina considers the revenue laws unconstitutional, and has a right to prevent their execution in the port of Charleston, there would be a clear constitutional objection to their collection in every other port, and no revenue could be collected anywhere; for all imposts [taxes] must be equal.

Document 4

Source: President Andrew Jackson's Message to Congress 'On Indian Removal' (1830)

It gives me pleasure to announce to Congress that the benevolent [kind] policy of the Government, in relation to the removal of the Indians beyond the white settlements is approaching to a happy consummation [ending]. Two important tribes have accepted the provision made for their removal at the last session of Congress, and it is believed that their example will induce the remaining tribes also to seek the same obvious advantages.

The consequences of a speedy removal will be important to the United States, to individual States, and to the Indians themselves. The advantages which it promises to the Government are the least of its recommendations [positive qualities]. It puts an end to all possible danger of collision between the authorities of the General [federal] and State Governments on account of the Indians. By opening the whole territory between Tennessee and Louisiana  to the settlement of the whites it will incalculably strengthen the southwestern frontier.  It will relieve the whole State of Mississippi and the western part of Alabama of Indian occupancy, and enable those States to advance rapidly in population, wealth, and power. It will separate the Indians from immediate contact with settlements of whites; free them from the power of the States; enable them to pursue happiness in their own way and under their own rude institutions; will retard [slow] the progress of decay, which is lessening their numbers, and perhaps cause them gradually, under the protection of the Government and through the influence of good counsels, to cast off their savage habits and become an interesting, civilized, and Christian community.

Document 5

Source: Oloocha, the Widow of Sweetwater, for whom Sweet Water Creek in Douglas County, Georgia is named, described her round up from the Etowah District near Carroll County, Georgia, in her 1842 Claim

The soldiers came and took us from home, they first surrounded our house and they took the mare while we were at work in the fields and they drove us out of doors and did not permit us to take anything with us not even a second change of clothes, only the clothes we had on, and they shut the doors after they turned us out. They would not permit any of us to enter the house to get any clothing but drove us off to a fort that was built at New Echota. They kept us in the fort about three days and then marched us to Ross’s Landing. And still on foot, even our little children, and they kept us about three days at Ross’s Landing and sent us off on a boat to this country.

Document 6

Source: June 18, 1838 | Cedartown, Ga. Rev. William J. Cotter

Document 7

Source: by an unknown artist, 1832, courtesy of the library of Congress

The reason for this was that the [Cherokee] nation had become a refuge for thieves, murderers, old Tories of the Revolution, and men who had left their wives and children and taken up with Indian squaws. The Indians could not correct these evils, and it was necessary for the State to extend her laws and protect herself.

Document 8: Andrew Jackson vetoed twelve bills that had been passed by Congress; more than any previous president.  His reasons included that government should not fund local projects (even if they would benefit more than one state) that the laws were not “necessary and proper” and so were unconstitutional, and because he felt the country should not spend money when there was a national debt.  It also seems that he vetoed bills for political reasons; many of these bills were sponsored by his political enemies.None of Jackson’s vetoes were overturned.

Synopsis of Bill Passed by Congress Jackson’s Decision

Senate Bill 27: Authorize the government to buy stock in a road company which wanted to build a road in Kentucky as part of the national road (Cumberland Road System)

VETO

Senate Bill 74: Authorize the government to buy stock in a canal company. VETO

House Resolution 304: Authorize the government to build lighthouses, improve harbors, and conduct surveys VETO

Senate Bill 147: authorize the government to continue the Bank of the United States VETO

House Resolution 516: Authorize the government to improve certain harbors and improve navigation on certain rivers VETO

Senate Bill 6: Authorize the government to set aside money from the sale of federal lands for specific purposes (instead of paying the national debt) and to grant land to certain states

VETO

Senate Bill 97: Authorize the government to improve navigation on the Wabash River VETO

Source:  Presidential Vetoes, 1789-1988Compiled by the Senate Library under the direction of

Walter J. Stewart, Secretary of the Senateby Gregory Harness, Head Reference Librarian

February 1992

Name________________________________Document Analysis Questions: Andrew Jackson DBQ

Document 1:1. Why were many people coming into the city as described in the excerpt? What city is the passage referring to?

2. How does the author describe Jackson’s inauguration?

3. How does the picture support the author’s eye witness account?

5. Why did the elimination of property requirements help increase the number of Jackson supporters?

6. How does this document help you answer the question: Andrew Jackson-a democratic supporter of the people or a dictator?

Document 2:1. What does South Carolina feel is unauthorized by the constitution of the United States?

2. What does null and void mean?

3. How does idea of nullification connect to the idea state’s rights?

4. Explain how this document connects to document 3?

Document 3:1. What ordinance (law) is being referenced in this passage?

2. How does Jackson feel about South Carolina’s proclamation of nullification? What text evidence supports your answer?

3. Does Andrew Jackson support the idea of state’s rights? Why or why not?

4. How does this primary source help you answer the question Andrew Jackson-Was he a democratic supporter of the people or a dictator?

Document 4:1. How did Andrew Jackson view his Indian Removal policy?

2. What advantages does Jackson see about using the land?

3. How does Jackson feel that the natives will react to this policy?

Document 5:1. What event is this eye witness account describing?

2. What is Andrew Jackson’s role in this account?

3. How does this document help you answer the question: Andrew Jackson-a democratic supporter of the people or a dictator?

Document 6:1. How does the author feel about the Indian Removal Act? Why?

2. How does this document help you answer the question: Andrew Jackson-a democratic supporter of the people or a dictator?

Document 7:1. Describe the cartoon in 3 sentences.

2. Why would the author have Jackson standing on the Constitution?

3. How does this document help you answer the question: Andrew Jackson-a democratic supporter of the people or a dictator?

Document 8:1. Define the term veto.

2. Why did Jackson feel that the laws he voted were not “necessary and proper?”

3. How does this document help you answer the question: Andrew Jackson-a democratic supporter of the people or a dictator?

Getting Ready to Write

T-ChartLook over all the documents and organize them in the t-chart according to whether they support the assertion that Andrew Jackson is either a tyrant or a supporter of the people. While a few documents may belong in both, argue just one position for the document (not both). Place the numbers of the documents in the column, as well as one brief example to explain why that document belongs there.

Andrew Jackson –Democratic Supporter of People

Andrew Jackson - Tyrant

Thesis Development and RoadmapOn the chickenfoot below, write your thesis and your roadmap. Your thesis is always an opinion and answers the DBQuestion. The roadmap is created from your bucket labels and lists the topic areas you will examine in order to prove your thesis.

For Example:

Andrew Jackson was a supporter of the people/tyrant

Your thesis goes on this line and should answer the question, “Andrew Jackson: Supporter of the People or Tyrant? Do not make this harder than it is. It can be as simple as, “Andrew Jackson was a man of the people because…. .” (Or tyrant, depending on the point you are making.)

Put the justifications for stating Andrew Jackson is a Supporter of the People or a Tyrant on these lines. Each will be the mini-thesis for one paragraph in your essay.

Because...

Essay Outline. Andrew Jackson – A democratic supporter of the people or a tyrant?

I. IntroductionA.Grabber____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________B. Background information leading up to the Presidency of Andrew Jackson:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________C. Restatement of the question, including definition of key terms. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________D. Thesis and Road Map: Andrew Jackson is a _____________________________________________because:_______________________________________________, ___________________________________________________, and_____________________________________________________________________________________________________.II. Body Paragraph #1

A. Baby Thesis: The first reason Andrew Jackson is a ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

B. Evidence: Use the evidence (not quotes!) from the documents to provide several details about Reason One. You may not use the background essay as one of your documents.Use citation. Examples of citation include (Document ___) or According to Document ___.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

C. Argument: This evidence helps to explain why Andrew Jackson is a _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

III. Body Paragraph #2A. Baby Thesis: Another reason Andrew Jackson is a _______________________________is

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

B. Evidence: Use evidence from the documents to provide several details about Reason Two. Use citation. No quotes! Do not use the background essay as a document. Examples of citation include (Document ___) or According to Document ___.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

C. Argument: This evidence helps explain how Andrew Jackson is a ____________because ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Body Paragraph #3A. Baby Thesis: A third reason that Andrew Jackson is a ___________is________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________B. Evidence: Use evidence from the documents to provide several details about Reason

Three. Use citations, but not quotes. Do not use the background essay as a document. Examples of citation include (Document ___) or According to Document ___. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

C. Argument : This evidence further explains why Andrew Jackson is a ______________________ because ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

V. ConclusionA. Restate your thesis in a fresh way (don’t just re-copy your thesis statement)____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________B. Explain why these three reasons (reference the evidence in the documents) are important and prove the point that Andrew Jackson is a ___________________________________.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________