Procedures

• Step 1:

  Review (if necessary) the elections of 1824 and 1828 that allows students to develop a context for Andrew Jackson, both in terms of character and in terms of actions taken to become elected.

• Step 2:

  Use the following clips to teach students about the Nullification Crisis in South Carolina.

  Video Clip: Mark Cheathem’s overview of Jackson’s response to nullification (1:54)

  Video Clip: H.W. Brands’ assessment of Jackson’s perspective on nullification (7:34)

  Encourage students to take notes, and review the following vocabulary:

  1. Tariff
  2. Nullification
  3. Secession
  4. Federalism

• Step 3:

  Use the following clips to teach about Indian Removal and the state of Georgia.

  Video Clip: H.W. Brands’ analysis of Jackson’s philosophy on the Supreme Court (0:57)

  Video Clip: Justice Stephen Breyer’s summary of the two Supreme Court cases regarding the Cherokee Nation (2:13)

  Video Clip: Jonathan Barth’s lecture about the Trail of Tears (3:47)

  Encourage students to take notes, and review the following vocabulary:

  1. Indian Removal Act
  2. Judicial Review
  3. Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831)
  4. Worcester v. Georgia (1832)
  5. Trail of Tears

• Step 4:

  Class Discussion/Writing Prompt Assessments

  • H.W. Brands quoted Jackson as saying in regards to nullification and secession that “if a single drop of blood shall be shed there in opposition to the laws of the United States, I will hang the first man that I can lay my hand on engaged in such treasonable conduct, upon the first tree I can reach.” Why does Jackson take a very different stance after the Worcester v. Georgia verdict, even though the Supreme Court also speaks on behalf of the “laws of the United States?”

  • Assess Jackson’s commitment to limited government in regards to his motivations behind his actions in both scenarios. To what extent does Jackson’s legacy “hold up?”

• Extension Activities:

  • Compare nullification and Indian Removal with Jackson’s war on the bank. To which situation is it most similar to and why? Does the bank crisis represent another side of Jackson’s use of federal authority?

  • The year is 1836, and President Andrew Jackson has decided to run for a third term of office. To keep up his reputation as the so-called “protector of the common man” and the “champion of democracy,” he has also decided to invite you to attend a Chautauqua Tent-style/Q & A session with him. You and the region you represent (North, South, or West), will get the opportunity to challenge Jackson on events within his last 2 terms, and decide his fate through your vote.

  • Conduct a mock trial that debates whether Andrew Jackson abused the powers of the Presidency by going beyond the Constitutional limits of the Executive branch.