Chapters 12 & 13 AP US I

“By persuasion and force they have been made to retire from river to river and from mountain to mountain, until some of the tribes have become extinct and others have left but remnants to preserve for a while their once terrible names. Surrounded by the whites with their arts of civilization, which by destroying the resources of the savage doom him to weakness and decay, the fate of the Mohegan, the Narragansett, and the Delaware is fast overtaking the Choctaw, the Cherokee, and the Creek. That this fate surely awaits them if they remain within the limits of the states does not admit of a doubt. Humanity and national honor demand that every effort should be made to avert so great a calamity.”

• - Andrew Jackson, Indian Removal

• How does the Indian Removal Act reflect the limitations of Jacksonian Democracy?

• It shows that Jacksonian Democracy was a slowly evolving concept that eventually would embrace black and indigenous people by the 1840s.

• It shows that Jacksonian Democracy was unwilling to extend the blessings of democratic government to white women, black men and women, and indigenous people.

• It shows that Jacksonian Democracy was not really a democratic movement at all because common everyday native Americans were denied democratic rights.

• It shows that Jacksonian Democracy was only extended to the very wealthy and well connected in American government.

What is the historical context for the Indian Removal Act?

• Jackson's Indian Removal Act was a continuation of forcing Native American people off their lands that began when the first Europeans arrived on the continent.

• Jackson's Indian Removal Act was unique in American history and had no precedent in the history of the Americas.

• Jackson's Indian Removal Act was a humane and just way of dealing with the Indian Question, but was administered poorly under the Presidency of Martin van Buren.

• Jackson's Indian Removal Act was a way for Native American people to be assimilated into White culture without unduly harming their indigenous way of life.

Which of the following best depicts the "point of view" of Jacksonians with regard to Indian Removal?

• The Jacksonians were largely divided on whether or not to remove Native American people from their ancestral lands.

• The Jacksonians believed strongly that Native American people needed to assimilate into White culture in order to be allowed to stay in America.

• Jacksonians were willing to remove Native Americans because the land would be made available to white settlers who they viewed as superior to Indigenous people.

• Jacksonians were largely not willing to separate Native Americans from their lands, but in extreme circumstances were willing to make difficult choices to the benefit of all.

The laws of the United States must be executed. I have no discretionary power on the subject-my duty is emphatically pronounced in the Constitution. Those who told you that you might peaceably prevent their execution, deceived you-they could not have been deceived themselves. …[D]isunion, by armed force, is TREASON. Are you really ready to incur its guilt? - Andrew Jackson

What is so unique about this Presidential letter and how does it reflect Jacksonian Democracy?

• Jackson is threatening the government of South Carolina and saying that if they proceed with Nullification then every man woman and child will turn against them.

• Jackson is writing to the larger South in an attempt to have them pressure South Carolina into accepting the Force Bill and turning away from Nullification.

• Jackson is writing to the politicians of South Carolina and chastising them for misleading the people and not upholding their sacred trust of providing good government and guidance.

• Jackson is writing directly to the people of South Carolina in an attempt to have them turn away from the radical nullifiers and to embrace the idea of union over sectional differences.

What is the "point of view" of the Nullifiers of South Carolina?

• They argue that the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution makes states superior to the power of the States.

• They argue that states have the ability to invalidate Federal Laws that violate their rights based on the "compact theory" of government.

• They argue that South Carolina is only enforcing its rights under the 10th Amendment of the Constitution and therefore are within their Constitutional rights.

• Nullifiers were attempting to make this issue something they could exploit and drag the United States in Civil War.

Who is Andrew Jackson's Intended Audience in his letter to South Carolina?

• The Government of South Carolina

• The religious officials of South Carolina

• The everyday people of South Carolina

• The wealthy and powerful of South Carolina.

What is Jackson's "point of view" in his letter on the Nullifiers?

• His point of view is that the Nullifiers have a good argument, but that it needs to be brought to Congress for it to be legitimate.

• His point of view is that no one should challenge his authority as President of the United States and that he is the final arbiter in matters of all government decisions.

• His point of view is that as president he must enforce the laws of the federal government, even unpopular ones, and that it is his job to do with using all means necessary.

• None of these captures the point of view of Jackson.