Andrew Jackson Symbol for an Age : Andrew Jackson Symbol for an Age An Interdisciplinary Lesson for the Study of Jacksonian Democracy in Virginia & United States History 11
Holly Zuger, Gloucester High School
Standard of Learning: VUS.6. : Standard of Learning: VUS.6. The student will demonstrate knowledge of the major events during the first half of the nineteenth century by
identifying the economic, political, and geographic factors that led to territorial expansion and its impact on the American Indians (First Americans);
describing the key features of the Jacksonian Era, with emphasis on federal banking policies.
Additional Learning Objectives to Reinforce SOL VUS.6: : Additional Learning Objectives to Reinforce SOL VUS.6: The student will understand how Andrew Jackson served as a symbol for the age in which he lived by
identifying the characteristics of the distinct American culture that was developing on the Western frontier through the examination of primary sources drawn from American art, music, and literature produced during the Age of Jackson.
drawing direct relationships between Jackson’s political career as the Western champion of the common man and the natural themes of contemporary American art, music, and literature.
Present to Students the Textbook’s Information on the Jacksonian Era. : Present to Students the Textbook’s Information on the Jacksonian Era. Emphasize the new democratic spirit in American politics and increased participation of the common man in the electoral process through the institution of universal white manhood suffrage.
Stress that Jackson distrusted the Bank of the United States as an undemocratic tool of the Eastern elite.
Overview of the 1824 Election : Overview of the 1824 Election Emphasize Andrew Jackson’s position as one of two Western presidential candidates and his emergence as the hero of Western voters after the alleged “corrupt bargain” between John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay resulted in Adams’ election by the House of Representatives.
Stress the western belief that Adams and Clay together had stolen the election from Jackson and thereby thwarted the will of the people.
1824 Election Results : 1824 Election Results
Music as Historical Evidence “The Hunters of Kentucky” : Music as Historical Evidence “The Hunters of Kentucky” Inaccurately gives credit to the Kentucky hunters for the American victory at the Battle of New Orleans
Became a campaign song for Jackson
Prompt the students to identify how the Kentucky hunters represented the moral and democratic values of the American common man.
Literature as Historical Evidence : Literature as Historical Evidence Through inquiry prompt students to explore the natural imagery in William Cullen Bryant’s poetry.
Connect Bryant to the Jacksonian movement through his career as editor of The New York Evening Post.
Prompt students to draw similarities between the Kentucky hunters and the fictional Natty Bumppo in James Fennimore Cooper’s Leatherstocking Tales.
“To A Waterfowl” by William Cullen Bryant : “To A Waterfowl” by William Cullen Bryant WHITHER, midst falling dew,
While glow the heavens with the last steps of day,
Far, through their rosy depths, dost thou pursue
Thy solitary way?
Vainly the fowler's eye
Might mark thy distant flight to do thee wrong,
As, darkly seen against the crimson sky,
Thy figure floats along.
Art as Historical Evidence : Art as Historical Evidence The Hudson River School emphasized nature and Americans’ ability to conquer nature during the Westward expansion of the Jacksonian period.
The paintings of American Realists William Sydney Mount and George Caleb Bingham often depicted the common man’s everyday life and participation in politics by virtue of Jacksonian democracy.
Asher Durand’s “Kindred Spirits” : Asher Durand’s “Kindred Spirits” Depicted the beauty of nature in Jacksonian America
Included both the artist Thomas Cole and the poet William Cullen Bryant in the painting
“The Oxbow” by Thomas Cole : “The Oxbow” by Thomas Cole View from Mount Holyoke, Northampton, Massachusetts, after a Thunderstorm
Note man’s presence: fields & umbrella
George Caleb Bingham's The County Election : George Caleb Bingham's The County Election Depicts a Missouri election day. In that time and place, only white male property-owners could vote, and candidates and their representatives could solicit votes immediately before the voting. Alcohol flowed freely, and votes were cast by voice and recorded in public.
George Caleb Bingham’s “Stump Speaking” : George Caleb Bingham’s “Stump Speaking” Shows the common man’s interest in American politics as a result of Jacksonian Democracy’s move towards universal white manhood suffrage
William Sydney Mount’s “The Horse Dealers” 1835, Everyday life of the common man : William Sydney Mount’s “The Horse Dealers” 1835, Everyday life of the common man
Mount’s “Cider Making” : Mount’s “Cider Making” Remind students the temperance movement against alcoholic consumption originated in America as a social reform during the Age of Jackson.
The Irony of Jackson as the Symbol for his Age : The Irony of Jackson as the Symbol for his Age Jackson’s Nashville, Tennessee home “The Hermitage” contrasted sharply with the lifestyle of the common man.
Yet, it epitomized Jacksonian Democracy’s “Go Ahead” spirit and belief in the United States as the land of opportunity.
Student Assessment : Student Assessment “Write an essay entitled ‘Andrew Jackson, Symbol for an Age.’ In this essay discuss not only political and economic events that characterized Jacksonian democracy, but also feel free to include historical evidence drawn from art, literature, and music to support the idea that Americans’ view of Andrew Jackson mirrored their beliefs about what made the United States a democratic land of opportunity. (Please write your essay in third person. Neither first nor second person pronouns are acceptable.)”