AMERICAN HISTORY Name: ___________________________________________

Andrew Jackson and the Growth of American Democracy Date: ____________________________ Hour: _________
TCI Chapter 14.6 Source Comparison

The Power of the Executive Branch

Comparing Sources
Source 1:
How does this support what you Alexis de Tocqueville, How does this source challenge
know? Democracy in America, 1835 what you know?

General Jackson stoops to gain the favor

How does this source extend
what you know?
of the majority; but when he feels that
his popularity is secure, he overthrows
all obstacles in the pursuit of the objects
which the community approves or of
those which it does not regard with
jealousy. Supported by a power that his
predecessors never had, he tramples on
his personal enemies, whenever they
cross his path, with a facility without
example; he takes upon himself the
responsibility of measures that no one What questions does this raise?
before him would have ventured to
attempt. He even treats the national
representatives with a disdain
approaching to insult; he puts his veto
on the laws of Congress and frequently
neglects even to reply to that powerful
body. He is a favorite who sometimes
treats his master roughly.

How does this author describe Andrew Jacksons executive power?


How does this support what you
know?
How does this source extend
what you know?
How does this author describe Jacksons executive power?
What differences are there between the two articles?
Source 2:
Jon Meacham, How does this source challenge
The Change Agent what you know?
article in Newsweek, 2008
The challenges [Andrew Jackson] faced
resonate in our own age. He believed the
financial sector of the American
economy was spoiled, corrupt and bad
for the overall health of the nation, and
so he destroyed, at great length, great
drama and great cost, the Bank of the
United States. (The country descended
into financial panic shortly after he left
office.) He wanted the country to be a
respected force around the world, and
so he was quick to send forces to
confront pirates, and he engaged in an What questions does this raise?
epic diplomatic battle against France
when the Chamber of Deputies refused
to pay money it owed the United States.
He thought the American Union sacred,
and so he threatened civil war to put
down the radicals in South Carolina. He
was convinced that church and state
should remain separate, and so he
resisted calls for the formation of a
"Christian party in politics."