Andrew Jackson

Part One:

In time for the 1828 election, there was a wider electorate allowed to vote. In order to deter these new voters from embracing Jackson, a pamphlet published a series of stories of his past in order to show his unsuitability as a potential leader of the USA.

Read the following passage and answer the questions about it:

"Now, prepare yourself to receive a shock, which I fear will prove more than you can bear! Shortly after the arrival of new American Militiamen, a peremptory order arrived from the monster Jackson, directing Colonel Pipkin to have them sent off immediately to him at New Orleans, nailed up in their coffins, or incur the penalty of having his head severed from his body. The men were accordingly disinterred, and upon their arrival at headquarters. Would you believe it, this monster, this more than cannibal, General Andrew Jackson, ate the whole Six Militiamen at one meal!!! Yes, my shuddering countrymen, he swallowed them whole, coffins and all, without the slightest attempt at mastication!!!!!! If you are disposed to doubt this statement, I can refer you to many of the most respectable officers, who were in service with him at New Orleans. And can you, my deluded countrymen, even think of making this horrible anthropophagian monster President of the United States? If you place him at the head of the government, what pledge can you have, that if he should at any time he displeased with his cabinet, that he will not have all four of his secretaries roasted, and eat them for his dinner!!!!

Questions:

1. Is this account a believable one?

2. If so, what does it say about Jackson's character?

3. If not, what does it say about his opponents and the beliefs of the voters in 1828?

Part Two:

Andrew Jackson introduced the Indian Removal Act of 1830 by justifying its virtues. Read the following passage and then answer the questions below it:

"The consequences of a speedy removal will be important to the United States, to individual States, and to the Indians themselves. The pecuniary advantages which it promises to the Government are the least of its recommendations. It puts an end to all possible danger of collision between the authorities of the General and State Governments on account of the Indians. It will place a dense and civilized population in large tracts of country now occupied by a few savage hunters. By opening the whole territory between Tennessee on the north and Louisiana on the south to the settlement of the whites it will incalculably strengthen the southwestern frontier and render the adjacent States strong enough to repel future invasions without remote aid. 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 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."

Questions:

1. What does Jackson believe will be the benefits to white Americans from this removal?

2. What will be the benefits to Native Americans?

3. Do you agree with his portrayal of these benefits, based on this week's readings?

Part Three:

1. In a full paragraph of at least 5 sentences, explain the concept of "Manifest Destiny."

2. To what extent did settlers move West in order to gain a better life, and to what extent were settlers helping the American Government?