PRESIDENT ANDREW JACKSON PBS Viewing Guide

Part 1:
Reinventing the Presidency, Part 1 1. What were the intentions of the Founding Fathers regarding the power and role of the president? They wanted congress to take the lead. They wanted the president to execute what congress decided. Who did they think should dominate the federal government? congress 2. How was the president initially selected? It was an elitist operation. The educated insiders choose the president. 3. What tactics did Jackson use to rally supporters? They reinvented American politics. They wanted the average person to vote. 4. Why did Jackson believe the president should dominate the federal government? He thought that he had a special role because he was the only person elected by all the people. Reinventing the Presidency, Part 2

1. What is the "spoils system"? Giving high paid offices to the presidents most faithful lieutenants.
He fired hundreds of federal employees, and replaced them with his own supporters.

2. How does Jackson use the presidential veto? He intrudes on the legislative congress. 3. How did this fit with his new vision of the President? He founded the Democratic Party. 4. What did the Founding Fathers think of political parties? They thought it was a great evil. Why?
They thought that parties were formed for selfish reasons.

5. How did Jackson benefit from the Democratic Party? He gained the most power as head of the
party.

6. Why, at times, does Congress fail to check the power of the president? Because the President was
the head of the party, if he is challenged, then their party is challenged. The Corporations

7. What was Jackson's economic vision for America? He thought that as long as America remained a
nation of self-employed farmers and tradesmen the democratic system of government was safe.

8. What was Jackson specifically worried about? The government would be taking orders not from
people, but from rich powerful bosses.

9. Why did Jackson distrust corporations? They were faceless anonymous machines; they could
grow much faster than the average worker. They could manipulate the economy and politics.

10. What warning did Jackson issue in his farewell address? Unless you become more watchful and
check the spirit of monopoly, the most important powers of government will be given away to corporations.

Part 2:
Indian Removal: 1. What was Jefferson's vision of America? Each new generation of Americans could own land of their own.

2. How did the Cherokees practice spirituality? They were sharing and harmonious. They would get
a blessing every morning.

3. In what ways did the Cherokees take Jefferson's advice? Embrace the white mans way of life. 4. Why, despite following Jefferson's advice, were the Cherokees removed? They were sitting on 5. 6.
land that Americans wanted. About how many died on the "Trail of Tears?" more than 2000. While Jackson hoped to be called "Great Father" by the Cherokees, what name did they actually use? Jackson the devil

Nullification Part 1: 1. What problem was John C. Calhoun obsessed with? Protecting slavery in a nation where slaveholders were a minority. 2. What difficulties did southern planters and slaveholders face? High tax on cheap imported cloth. 3. What was nullification? Every state has the right to disregard every law it considered unconstitutional. 4. What did Jackson say at the Jefferson birthday celebration? He said our federal union, it must be preserved. What was his stance on nullification? He didnt like it; he thought it would tear apart the union. Nullification, Part 2:

1. How did Jackson attempt to solve the nullification issue? He issued a presidential proclamation. 2. What did Jackson argue in his proclamation? He asked them to reconsider. He said disunion is
treason. The union is perpetual.

3. How was civil war finally averted? Hennery clay made a compromise that lowered the tariff.