www.archives.gov

“King Andrew”Political Cartoon

Study the cartoon. What images are evident at first glance? What symbolic gestures are drawn into the cartoon?

ANDREW JACKSON

http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/art/resources/graphic/xlarge/32_00018.jpg

Washington AdamsJefferson

Madison Monroe www.americanpresidents.orgJQ Adams

Preview Questions• How will Andrew Jackson compare to the first

six U.S. Presidents?• How is the nation changing in the late 1820s

and 1830s in terms of politics and sectionalism?

• What will be the consequences of Jackson’s “getting his way” in politics for the nation and the role of future presidents?

A HARD LIFE FOR A YOUNG BOY• Born 1767 in South Carolina, father died before birth• Older brother died in American Revolution• Jackson and brother Robert taken prisoner by British

during war. Andrew was ordered to clean an officer’s boots. He refused & was struck by his sword.• Mother has them released – both had smallpox. Robert

and mother died shortly after.• By age 14, Andrew was an orphan.

https://www.inspire4less.com/

Early Career and Marriage• Andrew studied to become a lawyer, and bought an

estate, the Hermitage in Tennessee.• He would struggle with debt often.• He met Rachel Donelson and they married, but she,

apparently, was still unknowingly married to her first husband. They re-married in 1794.• Later their marriage would be a subject of scandal for the press and politicians.

www.library.thinkquest.org

Jackson’s Career Begins• Elected to U. S. Congress from TN then the Senate, but resigned.• In War of 1812, became Major General of TN Militia – earned nickname, “Old Hickory”• Defeated Creek Indians at Battle of Horseshoe Bend

in AL in 1814 – Creeks cede 9 mil. acres• Became hero after Battle of New Orleans in 1815.• Led U.S. troops into Spanish Florida (controversial

because exceeded authorization) and became Territorial Governor of FL in 1821.

www.reformation.org

Jackson Video – Personality and Legacy 3 minutes and 38 seconds

History.com: Andrew Jackson-Personality and Legacy

http://www.history.com/topics/andrew-jackson/videos#jacksons-personality-and-legacy

www.americaslibrary.gov

Alabama became a state in 1819. In 1820, the eastern portion of the state was dominated byCreek Indians.

U.S. in 1820

www.learnnc.org

Jackson and the Presidency• Jackson defeated in election of 1824 (Corrupt

Bargain) to John Quincy Adams• Jackson runs in 1828 on a new Democratic ticket

against Adams and wins. www.neatorama.com

unitedstatespresidentialelection.blogspot.com

Jackson 261 56%Adams 178 44%

Voting Patterns Between 1800 and 1830 Interactive Map Activity

• http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/history/modules/mod09/imap.htm

The Common Man as President• Jackson’s popularity led to a crowd of app. 21,000 at

inauguration on March 4, 1829.• Many even followed him back to the White House

where a party ensued. * In spite of his popularity,

Jackson would remove 900 of 10,000 federal employees as part of the Spoils System. He

wanted to curb corruption. www.historyteacher.net

The Inauguration Party at the White House

www.whitehousehistory.org

www.xroads.virginia.edu

Jackson and American Indians• Jackson’s base of support in 1828 was the South – he

received 8 of 10 votes• In 1820s more settlers pouring into southern states

wanting land• Jackson felt American Indians had two choices:

– Become industrious citizens – assimilate-as individuals– Leave and go to area where they could retain their customs

• Approximately 46,000 Creek, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw and Seminole were removed during the Trail of Tears.

www.alabamamoments.alabama.gov

Indian Land Cessions, 1814 to 1820

www.player.discoveryeducation.com

The Cherokee Nation• In 1827, Cherokees in Georgia declared

themselves a sovereign nation with their own constitution.

• Georgia declared Cherokee law null and void• GA and other southern states wanted

authority to sell Indian lands to settlers

Indian Removal Act of 1830• Jackson said he could not protect Indian tribes

in the Southeast unless they moved west of Mississippi R.

• Indian tribes abandoned 100 million acres of land to move to Indian lands (what is now Oklahoma)

• The Choctaws were the first to move – but suffered greatly – traveling in winter – many deaths occurred.

• Indian agents swindled many Creeks for their land and offered far below a fair price.

Video Clip on Indian Removal Act

History.comJackson: Cherokees, Tariffs, and Nullification

http://www.history.com/topics/trail-of-tears/videos#jackson-cherokees-tariffs-and-nullification

image from: http://www.pbs.org/indiancountry/history/trail.html

http://www.nacaschool.org/ajackson/IndianRemovalActMap.jpg

www.alabamamaps.ua.edu

Alabama in 1831

Cherokee Fight for Their Land• Cherokees decide to fight through the court system• Cherokee Nation v. Georgia 1831

– S.C. ruled they could not sue for land because they were not a sovereign nation but dependents of the federal government.

• Worcester v. Georgia 1832– S.C. ruled the Cherokee to be an independent

political community and should be able to live in GA• President Jackson and Georgia ignored the ruling.• In 1835, a group of Cherokee signed the Treaty of

New Echota – $5 mil. for all lands East of Miss. River

https://eee.uci.edu/clients/tcthorne/Hist15/trtears.gif

Trail of Tears• In 1838, app. 15,000 remaining Cherokee Indians were

forcibly removed by the army under General Winfield Scott to Indian Territory.

• The journey was treacherous- approx. one in four died along the

way.

http://moberly.k12.mo.us/blogs/pashriver/files/2009/04/trail-of-tears.jpg

Consider the Preview Questions Again:

• How will Andrew Jackson compare to the first six U.S. Presidents?

• How is the nation changing in the late 1820s and 1830s in terms of politics and sectionalism?

• What will be the consequences of Jackson’s “getting his way” in politics for the nation and the role of future presidents?