Jacksonian Democracy
Andrew Jackson was seen as a president who represented the “common man.” What does “common man” mean in this context?
Ordinary white men, especially farmers and laborers, not wealthy elites.
Why did the U.S. government want Native lands in the Southeast?
Gold was discovered/ expansion of white settlement
Which president enforced the Indian Removal Act?
Andrew Jackson
What does “Manifest Destiny” mean?
The belief that the U.S. was destined to expand west to the Pacific Ocean.
What was one major reason settlers moved west?
Economic opportunity, gold, cheap farmland.
What was the Spoils System, and why did Jackson use it?
Giving government jobs to supporters/ Friends; Jackson believed his loyal supporters deserved positions.
Name one tribe that was affected by removal from their homelands in the 1830s.
Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw, or Seminole.
What law, passed in 1830, forced Native Americans to move west of the Mississippi River?
The Indian Removal Act.
What war helped the U.S. gain land from Mexico?
The Mexican-American War.
What was the group of people called that were drawn to California during the 1849 Gold Rush?
Forty-Niners
What group of people could now vote in the 1824 election who could not before?
Any White Adult Male over the age of 21.
What was one way the Cherokee tried to resist removal?
Adopted American customs (farming), created a written language, formed a government, took the case to court.
What was the “Trail of Tears”?
The forced journey of the Cherokee to Indian Territory, where thousands died.
Which new territories (States) were gained from the Mexican Cession?
California, Nevada, Utah, parts of Arizona & New Mexico.
What challenges did settlers face on the Oregon Trail?
Disease, weather, lack of supplies, accidents.
Why did southern states strongly oppose the tariffs passed during Jackson’s presidency?
They believed tariffs raised prices and hurt their economy since they relied on imported goods.
After removal, how did life change for Native Americans in Indian Territory?
They faced harsh conditions, loss of culture, disease, death, and had to rebuild homes/communities.
In what ways did Indian Removal benefit white settlers and harm Native Americans?
White settlers gained land and resources; Natives lost land, culture, and lives.
What was the treaty called that officially ended the Mexican-American War.
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
How did women find new opportunities in the West?
They worked as ranchers, business owners, or in roles not common back East/ Owned land and gained the right to vote in some states.
What was the main outcome of Jackson’s conflict with the national bank?
The Bank was shut down / power of presidency increased.
How did Worcester v. Georgia challenge U.S. government policies toward Native Americans?
The Supreme Court ruled the Cherokee had the right to their land and states couldn’t interfere.
How did President Jackson justify Indian Removal to the public?
He claimed it would protect Native Americans, allow Americans to farm, and support economic growth.
Explain one positive and one negative impact of Manifest Destiny on the growth of the United States.
Positive: Increased land, economic growth, spread of democracy. Negative: Displacement of Native Americans, war with Mexico, increased slavery tensions.
Compare how life in the West was different for at least two groups (choose two: Native Americans, settlers, Chinese immigrants, African Americans, women).
Chinese immigrants faced discrimination but found work in mining/railroads; Native Americans were pushed off land; women gained new freedoms; African Americans sought better lives and more equality; settlers sought land/opportunity.