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Lesson Plans

The American Journey: A History of the United States ©2000

by David Goldfield, Carl Abbott, Virginia DeJohn Anderson, Jo Ann E. Argersinger, Peter H. Argersinger, William L. Barney, Robert M. Weir

Focus Lesson 8

Chapter 10: "The Jacksonian Era, 1824–1845"

AP* Course Description

The Age of Jackson, 1828–1848
- Democracy and the "common man"
  - Expansion of suffrage
  - Rotation in office
- Second party system
  - Democratic Party
  - Whig Party
- Internal improvements and states' rights: the Maysville Road veto
- The Nullification Crisis
  - Tariff issue
  - The Union: Calhoun and Jackson
- The Bank War: Jackson and Biddle
- Martin Van Buren
  - Independent treasury system
  - Panic of 1837

Key Components

Instructor's Manual: pp. 62–67
Study Guide, Vol. I to 1877: pp. 64–72
Test Item File: pp. 105–116

Key Web Sites

Given the changing nature of the Internet, you may wish to preview these sites. Always check PHSchool.com for updated links to U.S. history sites.

Key Words and Terms

Second Great Awakening
Indian Removal Act
Nullification Crisis
Trail of Tears
spoils system
Democratic Party
Independent Treasury System

Specie Circular
Webster-Ashburton Treaty
annexation
Black Hawk's War
Nat Turner's slave revolt
National Republican Party

Suggested Pacing

Allow two 90-minute sessions on a block schedule or four 45-minute periods on a traditional bell schedule.

Test Strategy

In answering the questions, either multiple-choice or essay, students need to know what the question is asking. As they read the question, students should highlight the important elements, for example, bracketing the thesis or core of the question and underlining operative words such as describe, compare, or evaluate.

Key Concepts

Sectional tensions
As the country prospered, sectional divisions became apparent in the period after Jefferson's administration. The regions divided along economic and thus political lines. Ask students to create a list of the events that contributed to sectional tensions as they study the nineteenth century. They should begin the list with the Kentucky and Virginia Resolves (Chapter 8) and the Hartford Convention (Chapter 9) before adding the events in this chapter. Assist students in seeing the connections between the first two, the conflict over internal improvements, and the nullification crisis in South Carolina.
Independent Treasury System
The Independent Treasury System is an item in the AP* course outline. Students should be aware of what it was—an attempt to do away with banks by conducting all government business in gold and silver—and why it was important—it revived the Democrats' claim that they favored small government. The system was actively supported by President Martin Van Buren, but in the end, the tight money supply for banks to lend prolonged the depression of 1837. Students should pay particular attention to the role of the economy in U.S. history and how the government at various times has attempted to revive or restrain it.

Summing Up Student Understanding

To clarify the rise of a second-party system, refer students to the "Overview: The Second Party System," on p. 297. Instruct students to compare and contrast the ideologies of the Democratic and Whig parties and then compare and contrast them with the Federalists and Anti-Federalists. Ask students the question: Why did one set of parties die out and another set take their place?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

You might also find these additional readings useful in developing students' background knowledge or for DBQ activities:

American Issues: Vol. I to 1877, edited by Unger and Tomes—Chapters 8, 9, and 10
The Power of Words: Vol. I to 1877, edited by Breen—Chapter 11
American Experiences: Vol. I to 1877, edited by Roberts and Olson (secondary source readings)—Part Four and Part Five

Web Codes What is this?
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