APUSH unit 3 practice essay questions
PEQs APUSH MacKenzie Hudgins
1. The Jacksonian period (1824-1848) has been celebrated as the era of the “common man”. To what extent did the period live up to this characterization? Consider 2 of the following in your response:
-Economic development
-Politics
-Reform Movements One of many questions to ask with regards to the Jacksonian era is, “Who was the common man?” This concept is the greatest contradictory question to ask that determines the validity of the name “era of the common man” given to this time period. For example, economically, Jackson’s veto of the re-charter of the national bank places less emphasis on the power of the federal government to control and regulate the economy and instead emphasized the distribution of economic control, thus benefiting the common man by removing the concentration of power from select few officials. Furthermore, as western expansion allows for cheap accessible land for Americans, it leads to the Indian removal act of 1830, which is beneficial for the American common white settler economically, but for Native Americans it proves to be unjust. In addition, politically, the “spoils system” comes into play allowing for more of the common man to take part in political offices, which in return, allows for the common man to have a say in political decisions. In addition, the requirements for land ownership are lifted, which extends the voting to more of the “common man.” However, there are also examples in which the “common man’s” decisions are not taken into consideration, as shown in the “corrupt bargain,” of the election of 1824.Thus, the Jacksonian period, lasting from 1824-1848, has been classified as the era of the “common man” and for the most part, decisions made regarding economic development and politics during this time reflect and uphold the validity of the classification as long as the said “common man,” is indeed a white American man.
2.) Historians now consider Jackson’s
1. The Jacksonian period (1824-1848) has been celebrated as the era of the “common man”. To what extent did the period live up to this characterization? Consider 2 of the following in your response:
-Economic development
-Politics
-Reform Movements One of many questions to ask with regards to the Jacksonian era is, “Who was the common man?” This concept is the greatest contradictory question to ask that determines the validity of the name “era of the common man” given to this time period. For example, economically, Jackson’s veto of the re-charter of the national bank places less emphasis on the power of the federal government to control and regulate the economy and instead emphasized the distribution of economic control, thus benefiting the common man by removing the concentration of power from select few officials. Furthermore, as western expansion allows for cheap accessible land for Americans, it leads to the Indian removal act of 1830, which is beneficial for the American common white settler economically, but for Native Americans it proves to be unjust. In addition, politically, the “spoils system” comes into play allowing for more of the common man to take part in political offices, which in return, allows for the common man to have a say in political decisions. In addition, the requirements for land ownership are lifted, which extends the voting to more of the “common man.” However, there are also examples in which the “common man’s” decisions are not taken into consideration, as shown in the “corrupt bargain,” of the election of 1824.Thus, the Jacksonian period, lasting from 1824-1848, has been classified as the era of the “common man” and for the most part, decisions made regarding economic development and politics during this time reflect and uphold the validity of the classification as long as the said “common man,” is indeed a white American man.
2.) Historians now consider Jackson’s