Impeachment Trial of Andrew Jackson
United States History De Rosa 2012
the impeachment trial of President Andrew Jackson essay & trial instructions
Name: ______________________
Period: ______________________
Date: ______________________
OVERVIEW:
Andrew Jackson is often characterized as a man of the people, and his era is described as that of the common man. During the course of this hearing, we will focus on the question, “How democratic was Andrew Jackson?” The House of Representatives must decide whether Jackson’s actions call for an impeachment vote. The hearing will consider six major issues that were central to Jackson’s administration.
ISSUES/IMPEACHMENT COUNTS:
1. EXTENDING POWER to the COMMON MAN - Was Jackson's influence in changing the voting requirements and holding public office democratic?
2. U. S. BANK - Was Jackson’s destruction of the national bank democratic?
3. SPOILS SYSTEM - Was the use of the Spoils System democratic?
4. INDIAN REMOVAL - Was Jackson’s policy of Indian Removal democratic?
5. SLAVERY - Were Jackson’s actions regarding slavery democratic?
6. PEGGY EATON AFFAIR - Was Jackson’s support of Peggy Eaton in the best interest of American democracy? GRADING CRITERIA: 1. Quality of the oral presentation (ie: introductory statement, central idea development, use of specific evidence in the argument to support your point of view, conclusion, clarity of ideas, mechanics, and ability to persuade the audience.) 2. Creative participation in your assigned role. (ie: execution of your opening statement, ability to answer questions in your testimony, asking good questions in the cross examination, remaining true to your character’s point of view.) 3. Historical accuracy of both your oral and written presentations.
ROLE IN THE TRIAL
Your assignment will consist of two parts: one oral (based on your presentation during the trial) and one written (in
the impeachment trial of President Andrew Jackson essay & trial instructions
Name: ______________________
Period: ______________________
Date: ______________________
OVERVIEW:
Andrew Jackson is often characterized as a man of the people, and his era is described as that of the common man. During the course of this hearing, we will focus on the question, “How democratic was Andrew Jackson?” The House of Representatives must decide whether Jackson’s actions call for an impeachment vote. The hearing will consider six major issues that were central to Jackson’s administration.
ISSUES/IMPEACHMENT COUNTS:
1. EXTENDING POWER to the COMMON MAN - Was Jackson's influence in changing the voting requirements and holding public office democratic?
2. U. S. BANK - Was Jackson’s destruction of the national bank democratic?
3. SPOILS SYSTEM - Was the use of the Spoils System democratic?
4. INDIAN REMOVAL - Was Jackson’s policy of Indian Removal democratic?
5. SLAVERY - Were Jackson’s actions regarding slavery democratic?
6. PEGGY EATON AFFAIR - Was Jackson’s support of Peggy Eaton in the best interest of American democracy? GRADING CRITERIA: 1. Quality of the oral presentation (ie: introductory statement, central idea development, use of specific evidence in the argument to support your point of view, conclusion, clarity of ideas, mechanics, and ability to persuade the audience.) 2. Creative participation in your assigned role. (ie: execution of your opening statement, ability to answer questions in your testimony, asking good questions in the cross examination, remaining true to your character’s point of view.) 3. Historical accuracy of both your oral and written presentations.
ROLE IN THE TRIAL
Your assignment will consist of two parts: one oral (based on your presentation during the trial) and one written (in