Jacksonian+America+and+Manifest+Destiny

Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson remains one of the most important presidents in American history. After losing a controversial election in 1824, Jackson ran again in 1828 on the theme of defending the "common man" this time winning the election.

Jackson is perhaps one of the most recognized president's today because of his appearance on the $20 bill.

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Jackson, from the time he was a young boy, possessed a feisty and stubborn personality in part because of his difficult background.

Jackson's emphasis on the common man led to the belief of **Jacksonian Democracy**, the idea that all people should participate in government. This painting portrays an example of "stump speaking" as a form of political campaigning. Why do you think it is an example of Jacksonian democracy?

After Jackson's inauguration as president, a raucous party broke out at the White House open to all people.

Jackson was the first president to survive an assassination attempt. The shooter's gun failed to fire at close range allowing Jackson to beat his attacker with his walking stick. Jackon's Native American policy remains one of his most controversial actions as president. Jackson did not believe Native Americans fit America's vision to expand known as Manifest Destiny. Thus he signed the Indian Removal Act in 1830 calling for the government to negotiate treaties that would require the Native Americans to relocate west.

Cherokee Indians in the Trail of Tears. What can you tell about the Cherokee Indians from this painting?

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Another one of Jackson's actions as president was his attack on the national bank. In this political cartoon Jackson is slaying the monster of the national bank.

Jackson's detractors accused him of assuming so much power, he essentially became a tyrant or a king. They would eventually form the Whig Party who formed on the basis of their opposition to Jackson.

Alexis de Tocqueville and Democracy in America
Alexis de Tocqueville was a French nobleman whose visited America during the time when Jackson was implementing his ideas of democracy.

De Tocqueville's observation of American culture and ways of life were written in a work titled "Democracy in America."

De Tocqueville gives key warnings in his work against the dangers of a society based completely on democracy and equality. In class we will review some of his key ideas and how they apply to America today.

Manifest Destiny
Manifest Destiny is the idea that America can and should expand to the Pacific Ocean and beyond. Ohio was one of the first states to begin American expansion. The Cumberland Road was an important pathway of settlers for their westward expansion. Our study of Manifest Destiny will cause us to closely examine the reasons for American expansion especially in relation to our identity as American people.

This map shows America's growing railroad expansion as our expanding nation, built on industry and business, continued to grow and expand. This is John Gast's famous work called //American Progress// painted in 1872. //Columbia// leads American settlers west in the spirit of Manifest Destiny.

Our recent study of //Columbia.//

//Columbia in WWI//

Modern day imagery of //Columbia.//



Note the above paintings of mountain men. What characteristics do you notice?

Settlers in covered wagons along the Oregon Trail.

A map of the Oregon Trail. This trustworthy trail was the primary way pioneers to Oregon traveled west. Those who deviated sometimes faced life threatening consequences.

The Texas Revolution
America's journey west eventually led to conflict with people beyond the Native Americans.

The Texas Revolution, which culminated in the 1836 Battle of the Alamo demonstrated how far America was willing to go to see its borders expand.

Birds-eye view of the Battle of the Alamo.

Painting of the fierce hand-to-hand combat at the Alamo.

The Alamo today... which you can still visit.

media type="custom" key="25312010" //**"Remember the Alamo"**// became a rallying cry for the Texans in their journey to revolution and victory at the Battle of San Jacinto.

The Mexican War 1846-1848
American's desire for expansion continued with the Mexican War. With its victory, America acquired even more land which would lead to future conflict back in Washington D.C.

The Battle of Veracruz is a key battle of the war because it allowed American troops to march onto the capital of Mexico City.

The war ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The war was not without much controversy especially from Northern Whigs.

Many people agreed that Mexico was another victim of the desire of Manifest Destiny among the American people.

Zachary Taylor would become a future candidate for president but not without controversy.

The California Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush brought American from sea to shining sea. The desire for immediate wealth sent thousands of gold-hungry citizens to America's west coast in the late 1840's.

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Advertisement for a trip to California.

Picture of California miners.

Painting of California miners.

In this cartoon, note how gold miners were portrayed.

American Immigration
American expansion, along with the promise of a new life and opportunity prompted many people from other countries to seek a new life in America.

The Germans and Irish were two of the first two ethnic groups to begin migration into America. In class we will discuss the "push-pull" factors that offer more explanation why immigrants sought a new life in America.

This map and the charts provide great insight into American immigration. Be able to interpret this data to draw conclusions from this information.

This fascinating map shows a breakdown in ancestry back in 2000. Again what conclusions can you draw from this information?

American Romanticism
America soon developed it's own system of philosophy building on the European idea of romanticism. Romanticism emphasized the idea of pursuing one's own emotions and intuition and developing a closer connection with nature. Romanticism manifested in many ways but two specific areas where we can easily see its influence are art and literature.

Now how nature is portrayed in these two paintings.

Yet although nature might be mostly beautiful and peaceful, there are certainly aspects of nature that are also deadly and destructive.

Famous romantic authors include: Edgar Allan Poe

Nathanael Hawthorne

Herman Melville

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Henry David Thoreau



Walt Whitman //Leave of Grass//

Reform Movements
Romanticism and the Second Great Awakening led to the beginning of American reform movements. We will discuss some these movements and the need and reason behind the start of these movements in class.

This painting portrays a spiritual revival during the Second Great Awakening. What characteristics of American romanticism do you notice?

Horace Mann considered public education the "the great equalizer."

Elizabeth Cady Stanton was a leader for women's rights

In class we will discuss the potential limits of reform movements in the light of Nathanael Hawthorne's short story //The Earth's Holocaust.//