andrew Jackson DBQ
Brian Kraft
12/5/12
Block D
DBQ
How Democratic Was Andrew Jackson? Andrew Jackson was one of the most popular US presidents of all time. He was president from 1829 to 1837. During this time the US was evolving, becoming more and more democratic. Jackson was from a poor family, and his father died before he was born. He was in the revolutionary war at the age of 13. Jackson was considered somewhat of a war hero. One great accomplishment of his military career was when he led American troops in defending New Orleans against the British. At the end of this battle there were 2,037 British troops killed and only 71 Americans. By the age of 21 Jackson became a lawyer, and at 29 years old he was elected as Tennessee’s first house member and one year later he was elected to the senate. In 1824 Jackson ran for president, and the popular vote was split four ways. When that happened the House of Representatives was supposed to decide the election. Jackson received the majority of the popular vote. One of the reps traded his electoral votes to John Quincy Adams so long as he made that rep the secretary of state. Jackson called this the corrupt bargain. A definition of democratic could be a person who believes in the majority rule, rule by the people and universal suffrage. After examining his actions on the following issues, it is clear that Andrew Jackson was democratic: Native Americans, elections and politics and African Americans. When it came to his actions on Native Americans Andrew Jackson was democratic. As stated in the definition of what makes someone democratic, that person must support majority rule. At this time the majority of the people were in favor in kicking out the Native Americans. Whether or not Jackson agreed with this idea he still had to do it, and he did. That is why he was democratic, because he abided by majority rule. Also Jackson was not forcing them out he was allowing the natives to stay, although those conditions may not have been the
12/5/12
Block D
DBQ
How Democratic Was Andrew Jackson? Andrew Jackson was one of the most popular US presidents of all time. He was president from 1829 to 1837. During this time the US was evolving, becoming more and more democratic. Jackson was from a poor family, and his father died before he was born. He was in the revolutionary war at the age of 13. Jackson was considered somewhat of a war hero. One great accomplishment of his military career was when he led American troops in defending New Orleans against the British. At the end of this battle there were 2,037 British troops killed and only 71 Americans. By the age of 21 Jackson became a lawyer, and at 29 years old he was elected as Tennessee’s first house member and one year later he was elected to the senate. In 1824 Jackson ran for president, and the popular vote was split four ways. When that happened the House of Representatives was supposed to decide the election. Jackson received the majority of the popular vote. One of the reps traded his electoral votes to John Quincy Adams so long as he made that rep the secretary of state. Jackson called this the corrupt bargain. A definition of democratic could be a person who believes in the majority rule, rule by the people and universal suffrage. After examining his actions on the following issues, it is clear that Andrew Jackson was democratic: Native Americans, elections and politics and African Americans. When it came to his actions on Native Americans Andrew Jackson was democratic. As stated in the definition of what makes someone democratic, that person must support majority rule. At this time the majority of the people were in favor in kicking out the Native Americans. Whether or not Jackson agreed with this idea he still had to do it, and he did. That is why he was democratic, because he abided by majority rule. Also Jackson was not forcing them out he was allowing the natives to stay, although those conditions may not have been the