United States History Student Edition

TOPIC ACTIVITIES

FLORIDA SKILLS BENCHMARKS

Apply What You Have Learned

• SS.8.A.4.8

• SS.8.A.1.4 • SS.8.A.1.6 • SS.8.A.4.1

• SS.8.A.1.1 • SS.8.A.1.2 • SS.8.A.1.3

Manifest Destiny was a popular idea in the 1800s, but it was not universally accepted. Americans such as Albert Gallatin argued that the concept was simply justification for taking lands from other peoples. “ It is said, that the people of the United States have an hereditary superiority of race over the Mexicans, which gives them the right to subjugate and keep in bondage the inferior nation. . . . Is it compatible with the principle of Democracy, which rejects every hereditary claim of individuals, to admit an hereditary superiority of races? . . . At this time the claim is but a pretext for covering and justifying unjust usurpation and unbounded ambition. . . . Among ourselves, the most ignorant, the most inferior, either in physical or mental faculties, is recognized as having equal rights, and he has an equal vote with any one, however superior to him in all those respects. This is founded on the immutable principle that no one man is born with the right of governing another man. ” ACTIVITY Creating a Web Page About Manifest Destiny and Expansionism Why does Gallatin object to the idea of Manifest Destiny? Research online to find a variety of perspectives on American expansionism during this period. Search for perspectives from different peoples who were affected, as well as from American politicians and settlers. With a partner, create a web page that identifies these different perspectives and includes links to more information about each of them. A Understanding Multiple Perspectives

Andrew Jackson was such a popular president that he is one of only five presidents whose portrait is on U.S. currency. Supporters viewed him as a self-made man who stood up for “regular” people against the wealthy and the ruling class. Yet Jackson was also strongly criticized for actions such as refusing to enforce the decision of the Supreme Court regarding Native American lands. This cartoon reflects the opinions of Andrew Jackson’s critics. It shows him dressed as a king, trampling on and destroying the Constitution. Writing a Persuasive or Argumentative Essay B

ACTIVITY Evaluating the Presidency of Andrew Jackson Work with a partner to write an essay on Andrew Jackson’s use of presidential power. Include and explain criticisms that Jackson abused his powers and tell what you think of those criticisms: Are they fair and accurate? How serious or troubling are they? If you need more information to make a judgment, explain why and describe the type of information you think you need.

PHOTO: The Library of Congress; TEXT: Gallatin, Albert. Peace with Mexico. New York: Bartlett & Welford, 1847.

Political and Geographic Changes 353