CHAPTER NINE – JACKSONIAN AMERICA
CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS
THE RISE OF MASS POLITICS: What two opinions of Jackson are expressed upon his
victory? What key legitimizing detail or characteristic is absent from politicians of this era?
Expanding Democracy: What is the original requirement for voting in early America? What
was the reasoning or logic behind this requirement? Define Dorr’s Rebellion and explain why it
is significant. What other issues exist that impede the growth of the electorate?
Tocqueville and Democracy in America: Why is the work Democracy in America important?
The Legitimization of Party: Why do Americans eventually begin to accept the party system
as a reality of politics? How does the situation in NY reinforce this idea? What two parties
emerge in the 1830’s?
“President of the Common Man”: What are the tenants of the early Jacksonian Democrats?
Define the Spoils System.
“OUR FEDERAL UNION”:
Calhoun and Nullification: Describe the situation in South Carolina that revives the idea of
Nullification? On what sources is the principle of Nullification based?
The Rise of Van Buren: Define Kitchen Cabinet and explain what is unique about Van Buren’s
position within it? Explain the events and results of the Peggy Eaton/ Petticoat Affair.
The Webster-Hayne Debate: What societal trend does the Webster-Hayne Debate embody?
The Nullification Crisis: Describe the events of the crisis paying careful attention to the
participants’ roles, and the foreshadowing occurring in this event.
THE REMOVAL OF THE INDIANS: Why are Jackson’s views of Indians so transparent?
White Attitudes toward the Tribes: According to the text, how and why do the attitudes of
white Americans towards Natives change from one century to the next? In your opinion, is the
book accurate in this assertion?
The Black Hawk War: How is it that so many treaties between Natives and the US
Government are contested by the tribes? What tribes form an alliance during the Black Hawk
War? Summarize this conflict. What becomes of the tribal leader Black Hawk
The “Five Civilized Tribes”: Which tribes comprise the Five Civilized Tribes? Where are they
located and how is this detail related? To what extent had the Cherokee assimilated and what
debate does this raise? Define the Removal Act. Why was the Supreme Court of little help to
the Natives?
Trails of Tears: Describe the event known as the Trail of Tears. Where was the Indian
Territory located and why? How did the other southern tribes fare? Define the Seminole Wars.
The Meaning of Removal:
JACKSON AND THE BANK WAR: What is significant about Jackson’s veto of the Maysville
Road proposal?
Biddle’s Institution: How powerful had the National Bank become by the 1830’s? What two
factions evolve in regards to currency and what were the beliefs of each? How did the Bank War
become a central issue to the 1832 election and what was the outcome?
The “Monster” Destroyed: How does Jackson go about destroying the National Bank? How
does Biddle attempt to counter these efforts? Ultimately what becomes the fate of the National
Bank and what long-term consequences accompany this event for the US?
The Taney Court: Describe the shift in legal logic that results from the shift in Supreme Court
leadership.
THE CHANGING FACE OF AMERICAN POLITICS: From where does the new opposition
party derive its name?
Democrats and Whigs: Who became the leader of the new Whig Party? Why was this detail
an issue? Who wins the 1836 election and why?
Van Buren and the Panic of 1837: What was the Treasury surplus and how did Congress react
to this novelty? Define the Specie Circular with regards to what it is, who passes it and why.
What caused the Panic of 1837 and why did Van Buren do so little to address it? How does Van
Buren deal with the absence of an official national financial institution?
The Log Cabin Campaign: What is novel in the election of 1840? What winning strategy did
the Whigs employ?
The Frustration of the Whigs: What unforeseeable event drastically alters the Whig Party and
why is the change so drastic? With what long-term political goal is Tyler concerned?
Whig Diplomacy: Outline the several different situations that nearly lead to a second war with
Britain. Define the word bellicose. What American-constitutional principle do foreign
governments find confusing? Define Webster-Ashburton Treaty and explain why representatives
from Massachusetts are involved in negotiations. What other diplomatic success did the Whigs
achieve?