Use a clean sheet of paper and write down your conclusions with explanation to all questions. IMPORTANT READ EACH QUESTION BEFORE OPENING THE LINKS.  You need to know what you are looking for.
 

Background
Andrew Jackson came from a humble background,  but he became commander in the army.  Find out the nickname he got from his men in admiration of his bravery.  Follow the link to find out about his years before he became president and the story behind his nickname. His accomplishments during his years in the military won the respect of many Americans.

His supporters increased after he ran for president in 1824.  Many Americans agreed with him when he complained that he was cheated out of the presidency.  Open the link to see if you agree with him.
Discussion Questions:
Was Jackson's reaction to losing the presidency an example of 'sour grapes'?
Was he really cheated out of the presidency? Remember explain your answers!
 

Jackson as President
Do you believe that incoming presidents should replace government workers with their supporters?  Why?   Jackson had a lot of supporters during his next election campaign and and easily won the 1828 election against John Quincy Adams.  Read about the spoils system and find out how Jackson felt about this issue.  During Jackson's presidency ordinary citizens were given government jobs and he was considered a friend of the people.  Open these links to find about Jackson's popularity. President Jackson is also associated with a major growth of democracy in America.   He is believed to have worked for the masses in America.  Read about Jackson and Democracy.  Do you think he should be given credit for his policies on equality and human rights?  Explain.

                                                      The Hermitage - Andrew Jackson's home after he became president.
 
 

Jackson and the National Bank
During Jackson's' presidency, a question came up about whether the United States needed a national bank.

Discussion Questions:

What do you think?  Did the United States need a national bank?  Look up the uses for the bank and make a decision - Read the first article and then click on 'next' and read the last paragraph in the next article.
Consider what you already know about President Jackson.  Why do you think he was not in favor of a national bank?
His reaction is really interesting.  Read both articles to find out what he did,  and very important check on the results of his decision about the bank.
 

'States' vs 'The Federal Government'
The bank issue and the spoils system gave you some insight into the character of President Jackson.   With that little knowledge of him, how do you think he handled this problem,  'Which had more power the States or the Federal Government?'  Think about how he voted on the bank issue as you discuss the question.
Check states rights and nullification in the last article you read to get the answer. Correct your answer.  Nullification is the process which gives a state the right to reject any laws adopted by the federal government which the state considers to be unacceptable to that state.

Was Jackson predictable?   Look at the next really hot issue that came up during his administration.  He lost his vice-president over states rights, what will happen after this one!
 

Minorities Under Jackson
Jackson's supporters, with his approval passed the Indian Removal Act in 1830.  This was a law in which all Native Americans were to be moved from lands east of the Mississippi to areas west of the Mississippi. The Supreme court said that the Cherokees did not have to move.

Discussion Questions:                                                 
Brainstorm here.  Who would Jackson support, the Cherokees or the farmers who wanted their land?
Would he obey the Supreme Court or would he go against the highest court in America?
Were Native Americans part of that 'common man' that Jackson favored?
Read the articles on the  Indians, Supreme Court, and the Trail of Tears
Discuss President Jackson's decision with your group.  Do you agree with his reasons for moving the Native Americans to areas west of the Mississippi?  Why or why not?
Open the article on the 'Trail of Tears' again and complete the worksheet on an interpretation of a story.   The Indians were one group of minorities.  Read about life for another group of minorities on pages 330 and 331 in your textbook, or other source.   Find out if their lives improved after Jackson became president.

 Use the reading to complete the worksheet, 'Minorities.'  Read about the life of African Americans during this period.  Andrew Jackson did however give more Americans the right to vote than any other president before him.  Do you think that there should be voting restrictions?  Ex. criminals, age, etc.

As a group use your notes to help your graphic designer write an outline for the slide show.   You are to include Jackson's background and important aspects of his presidency.
Use Power Point to create the slide show.  There must be no less than 8 slides and no more than 12.  Include color, graphics and animation.  Use the rubric below to help you in organizing your information.
Practice going over it to make a presentation to the class.
 

Conclusion

You have completed a study on the presidency of Andrew Jackson.
Sit separate from your group.  Write his name down.  Write all the descriptive words that you could think of when you think about him and his administration.

You now have one last assignment to complete this unit on President Jackson. Wait and your teacher will give you the directions.

You are now ready to write your persuasive report.  Did Andrew Jackson fulfill the leadership qualities of a good president?  Was he qualified to be called 'A man of the People?'  Use an organizer to arrange your information and then write your essay.

Each student will be given an individual and a group grade.  You will receive a group grade for the slide show and an individual grade for the worksheet, graphic organizer and the essay. 

Read through the following rubric and then do the activity which follows.  The rubric will help you when you write your essay.
 

	Beginning 0	Developing 1	Accomplished 2	Exemplary 3	Score
Development	The position you chose is not clear with little or no supporting personal or factual  evidence.	The position you chose is identified, but is not clear.  The writer tries to support or refute that position with relevant personal or factual information.	A clear position is identified and partially supported or refuted with relevant personal and/or factual information.	A clear position is fully supported or refuted with relevant personal and/or factual information.
Organization	The argument is not logical and or barely maintained.	The organizational plan is generally maintained.	There is an organizational plan that is logical and maintained, but with some flaws.	The organizational plan is logical and consistently maintained.
Attention to audience	The needs and characteristics of the audience are not addressed	The needs and characteristics of the audience are barely addressed.	The writer adequately addresses the needs and characteristics of the identified audience.	The needs and characteristics of the audience are effectively addressed.
Language	The writer seldom, if ever uses language choices to enhance text.	The writer sometimes uses language choices to enhance text.	The writer frequently uses language choice to enhance text.	The writer consistently uses language to enhance the text.

Individual Responsibilities:
  Editor - Gives guidance to the constructing of materials and checks for
                content, grammar, spelling and overall assignment.
Typist - This is the person who will be assigned to the keyboard.
Graphic Designer - Arranges and outlines the final presentation.
Reader - Reads aloud and searches for relevant information as the typist goes through
                 the pages.
Resource Specialist - Evaluates sources and writes down bibliographic
                  information.
 

Created by Shirley Calliste 
Email address: shirley_calliste@fc.mcps.k12.md.us

Updated June 2004