The Presidency of Andrew Jackson
Guiding Question
- How did Andrew Jackson’s presidency reshape American politics?
Objectives
- Students will…
- Identify key features of a political cartoon and explain how visual elements communicate ideas.
- Analyze how both text and imagery reflect public reactions to Andrew Jackson’s presidency.
- Describe key events, policies, and controversies during Andrew Jackson’s presidency.
- Evaluate how Andrew Jackson reshaped the role and power of the presidency in American politics.
Student Resources
- The Presidency of Andrew Jackson Essay
- Political Cartoon Image: “King Andrew the First”
- The Presidency of Andrew Jackson, Political Cartoon Graphic Organizer
Teacher Resources
- Additional Reading Strategies from BRI’s Resources Library
Facilitation Notes
- This lesson introduces students to Andrew Jackson’s presidency through reading an essay and analyzing a political cartoon.
Anticipate (Optional)
- Review glossary terms with students ahead of time or during reading.
- Glossary terms: Terms used in this lesson for pre-teach opportunities or vocabulary support:
- Executive power, Veto, Spoils system, Political cartoon, Symbolism
Engage
- Transition: “Let’s begin by reading a short essay that gives us some background on Andrew Jackson’s presidency and the issues that stirred controversy.”
- Distribute or project the historical essay on Andrew Jackson.
- Use the Additional Reading Strategies to help you decide a method best for your students’ needs.
Explore
- Transition: “Now let’s explore how people in Jackson’s time expressed their opinions-especially through political cartoons.”
- Project or distribute the cartoon: “King Andrew the First”
Teacher Note: The political cartoon has been converted to a digital interactive that allows students to zoom in and explore the details of the image.
- Distribute the Graphic Organizer (“I See, I Think, I Wonder”).
- Guide students through each section using prompting questions:
- I see… What objects, actions, or symbols are included?
- I think… What is the cartoonist trying to say?
- I wonder… What was happening that made people react this way?
- Students create a short caption or title they think matches the cartoon.
Assess and Reflect
- Have students respond to the following in writing or small group discussion:
- What event or issue is depicted in the political cartoon? How do you know?
- What message is the cartoonist expressing about that event or issue? Why do you think that?
- How does this cartoon help you understand people’s reactions at the time?
- What new insight or idea did this cartoon give you about the early 1800s?