Compelling Question: Was the democratization of politics during the Jacksonian era a shift from Founding era political theory?

• Students will explore the expansion of democracy in the Jacksonian era and its limits.
• Students will explore the sources of unity and conflict in American politics and society during the Jackson presidency, westward expansion, antebellum reform.
• Students will compare the democratization of politics during the Jacksonian era with the ideals of the Founding era.

• John Quincy Adams and the Gag Rule Decision Point
• Art Analysis:The County Electionby George Caleb Bingham, 1852 Primary Source
• Sam Houston and Texas Independence Narrative

• The Nullification Crisis Narrative
• John C. Calhoun,South Carolina Exposition and Protest, 1828 Primary Source
• The Trail of Tears Narrative
• American Indians in American Art Lesson
• Responses to the Cherokee Removal Mini DBQ Lesson
• Indian Removal Act, 1830, and Cherokee Chief John Ross’s Memorial and Protest to Congress, 1836 Primary Source
• Andrew Jackson’s Veto of the National Bank Decision Point
• Webster-Hayne Debates, 1830 Primary Source
• Andrew Jackson, Bank Veto Message, 1832 Primary Source
• John C. Calhoun, “Slavery as a Positive Good,” 1837 Primary Source

• Nat Turner’s Rebellion Narrative
• The Mormon Trail Narrative
• The Women’s Movement and the Seneca Falls Convention Lesson
• William Lloyd Garrison’s War Against Slavery Narrative
• David Walker, “An Appeal to the Coloured Citizens of the World,” 1829 Primary Source
• Frederick Douglass’s Path to Freedom Narrative
• Frederick Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, 1845 Primary Source
• Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Struggle for Women’s Suffrage Narrative
• Sarah M. Grimké, Letters on the Equality of the Sexes and Condition of Women, 1837 Primary Source
• Dorothea Dix, Memorial to the Legislation of Massachusetts, 1843 Primary Source

• Is the Concurrent Majority Theory Faithful to the Ideals of the Constitution? Point-Counterpoint
• Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America, 1835 Primary Source
• Unit 3 Civics Connection: Liberty and Union Lesson

Additional Resources:

• • Chapter 6 Introductory Essay: 1828-1844
  • The Lowell Girls Narrative
  • John Quincy Adams and the Amistad Narrative
  • Ralph Waldo Emerson, “The American Scholar,” 1837 Primary Source
  • Jedediah Burchard, Revivalist Sermon, 1835 Primary Source
  • BRI Homework Help Video: The Rise of Mass Politics: Jacksonian Democracy

Unit 3 Essay Activity:

• Was the democratization of politics during the Jacksonian era a shift from Founding era political theory? Evaluate the extent to which the democratization of politics during the Jacksonian Era was a change from Founding era political theory.

Through this inquiry, students will evaluate primary and secondary sources to compare the expansion of democracy in the Jacksonian period to the ideals of the American Founding, drawing on context and content from this as well as previous chapters. Ultimately, students will be able to practice a change-and-continuity Long Essay Question (LEQ) comparing how political ideals shifted and persevered in America from the Founding through the Jacksonian era. Assess students’ progress in understanding the compelling question for this chapter by assigning the Unit 3 Essay Activity.