Historical Context:

Task: Using your knowledge of history and the documents provided below, write an organized, analytical essay in which you

  • Discuss the aspects of Jackson’s presidency that exemplified democratic principles.
  • Discuss the aspects of Jackson’s presidency that contradicted democratic principles
  • Evaluate to what extentJackson accurately viewed himself as a guardian of democracy (as described in the historical context)

Document 1

Source: Andrew Jackson's veto message (July 10,1832)

1. Based on the document above, why was Andrew Jackson against the Bank of the United States?

Document 2

Worcester v. Georgia (1832) Supreme Court Decision

The Cherokee nation, then, is a distinct community, occupying its own territory... in which the laws of Georgia have no force.... The Acts of Georgia are repugnant (disgusting) to the Constitution, laws, and treaties of the United States. They interfere forcibly with the relations established between the United States and the Cherokee Nation, the regulation of which according to the settled principles of our Constitution, are committed exclusively to the government of the Union.

-Marshall, C.J., Opinion of the Court, Supreme Court of the United States

2. What does the Supreme Court declare the Cherokee nation to be?

Document 3

Jackson’s response to Worcester v. Georgia (1832)

"John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it!"

3. What was the significance of Jackson’s response?

Document 4

4 Based on this document, state how the Indian Removal Act of 1830 would affect many Native

Document 5:

5. Based on the document above, state the effects Jackson’s presidency had on the Native Americans.

Document 6

"It gives me pleasure to announce to Congress that the benevolent policy of the government, steadily pursued for nearly thirty years, in relation to the removal of the Indians beyond the white settlements is approaching to a happy consummation. Two important tribes have accepted the provision made for their removal . . . and it is believed that their example will induce the remaining tribes also to seek the same obvious advantage…The consequences of a speedy removal will be important to the United States, to individual States, and to the Indians themselves. . . . 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 . . . to cast off their savage habits and become an interesting, civilized, and Christian community. . . .
--Andrew Jackson, in his second annual message to Congress, Messages and Papers of the Presidents, vol. 2, in Native American Voices: A History and Anthology, ed. Steven Mintz (St. James, New York: Brandywine P, 1995) 115-116.

6. Based on the document above, how did Jackson support democratic principles?

Document 7:

-Andrew Jackson, 1830

7. Based on the document above, how did Andrew Jackson support of democratic principles.

Document 8

On December 10, 1832, President Andrew Jackson issued a proclamation to the people of South Carolina that disputed a states' right to nullify a federal law. Jackson's proclamation was written in response to an ordinance issued by a South Carolina convention that declared that the tariff acts of 1828 and 1832 "are unauthorized by the constitution of the United States, and violate the true meaning and intent thereof and are null, void, and no law, nor binding upon this State." Led by John C. Calhoun, Jackson's vice president at the time, the nullifiers felt that the tariff acts of 1828 and 1832 favored Northern-manufacturing interests at the expense of Southern farmers. After Jackson issued his proclamation, Congress passed the Force Act that authorized the use of military force against any state that resisted the tariff acts.

8. Based on the document above, why was Jackson believed to have contradicted democratic principles.

Document 9: South Carolina’s Reply to Jackson’s Proclamation on the Force Bill (1832)

Resolved, That the power vested by the Constitution and laws in the President of the United States, to issue his proclamation, does not authorize him in that mode, to interfere whenever he may think fit, in the affairs of the respective states, or that he should use it as a means of promulgating executive expositions of the Constitution, with the sanction of force thus superseding the action of other departments of the general government.

Resolved, That it is not competent to the President of the United States, to order by proclamation the constituted authorities of a state to repeal their legislation, and that the late attempt of the President to do so is unconstitutional, and manifests a disposition to arrogate and exercise power utterly destructive of liberty,

Resolved, That each state of the Union has the right, whenever it may seem such a course necessary for the preservation of its liberties or vital interests, to secede peaceably from the Union, and that there is no constitutional power in the general government, much less in the executive department, of that government, to retain by force such state in the Union.

Resolved, That the principles, doctrines and purposes, contained in the said proclamation are inconsistent with any just idea of a limited government, and subversive of the rights of the states and liberties of the people, and if submitted to in silence would lay a broad foundation for the establishment of monarchy.

Resolved, That while this legislature has witnessed with sorrow such a relaxation of the spirit of our institutions, that a President of the United States dare venture upon this high handed measure, it regards with indignation the menaces which are directed against it, and the concentration of a standing army on our borders – that the state will repel force by force, and relying upon the blessings of God, will maintain its liberty at all hazards.

9. Based on the document above, why was Jackson believed to have contradicted democratic principles.

Document 10

Source: Henry Clay on Political Power (1834)

10. Based on the document above, what were some criticisms of Andrew Jackson.

Document 11

11. Based on the document above, what was the significance of Andrew Jackson’s election?

Document 12:

10. Based on the document above, Andrew Jackson is shown contradicting democratic principles. Describe this observation.