American History · 8th Grade · Expansion, Nationalism & Sectionalism · Weeks 10-18

The Age of Jackson: Rise of the Common Man

Examine the expansion of suffrage and the political changes associated with Andrew Jackson's presidency.

• Common Core State Standards
• C3: D2.Civ.1.6-8
• C3: D2.His.3.6-8

About This Topic

The Industrial Revolution and Transportation focuses on the technological and economic shifts that transformed the North and Midwest in the early 19th century. Students learn about the rise of the factory system, the Lowell Mills, and the 'Transportation Revolution' led by the Erie Canal, steamboats, and early railroads. The curriculum emphasizes how these innovations created a more connected and specialized national economy.

This topic is vital for understanding the growing sectional differences between the industrial North and the agrarian South. It also explores the social changes of the era, including the first wave of women entering the industrial workforce. Students grasp this concept faster through hands-on, student-centered approaches like 'innovation stations' or mapping activities that show how transportation changed the speed and cost of trade.

Key Questions

1. Explain how the election of 1828 reflected a shift in American politics.
2. Analyze the concept of 'Jacksonian Democracy' and its impact on voter participation.
3. Differentiate between the 'spoils system' and previous methods of government appointments.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze how the expansion of suffrage in the 1820s and 1830s altered the electorate in the United States.
• Explain the key principles of 'Jacksonian Democracy' and their effect on political participation.
• Compare the 'spoils system' to earlier methods of federal government appointments, identifying key differences in practice and philosophy.
• Evaluate the extent to which Andrew Jackson's presidency represented a 'rise of the common man'.

Before You Start

The Early Republic: Challenges and Growth

Why: Students need foundational knowledge of the US government structure and early political parties to understand the changes Jackson introduced.

The Market Revolution

Why: Understanding economic shifts helps students grasp the social and political context that influenced the expansion of suffrage and the appeal of Jackson's platform.

Key Vocabulary

Suffrage	The right to vote in political elections. During the Age of Jackson, many states removed property ownership requirements, expanding suffrage to more white men.
Jacksonian Democracy	A political philosophy advocating for greater democracy for the common man, emphasizing the power of the people and opposing perceived elites and monopolies.
Spoils System	The practice of a successful political party giving government jobs to its supporters and friends. Jackson's administration widely implemented this system.
Universal White Male Suffrage	The political right for all adult white men to vote, regardless of property ownership, income, or social status. This became a reality in most states during this era.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

The Industrial Revolution happened overnight.

What to Teach Instead

It was a gradual process that took decades to fully change society. A timeline activity showing the invention of the cotton gin (1793) to the peak of the canal era (1830s) helps students see the slow but steady pace of change.

Common Misconception

Everyone was happy about the new factories and machines.

What to Teach Instead

Many skilled artisans lost their livelihoods, and workers faced dangerous conditions. Peer discussion on the 'winners and losers' of industrialization helps students see the social conflict it created.

Active Learning Ideas

Stations Rotation: The Transportation Revolution

Stations feature the Erie Canal, the Steamboat, and the Locomotive. At each, students calculate the 'time and cost' of moving a barrel of flour from Buffalo to NYC before and after the innovation, visualizing the economic impact.

45 min·Small Groups

Role Play: The Lowell Mill Girls

Students read letters from young women working in the Lowell textile mills. They act as mill workers discussing their long hours, their new independence, and the 'rules' of the boarding house, debating if the job is worth the hardship.

35 min·Small Groups

Think-Pair-Share: Interchangeable Parts

The teacher shows two 'identical' items (like pens) and explains Eli Whitney's concept of interchangeable parts. Students discuss in pairs how this changed manufacturing from a slow, skilled craft to a fast, mass-production process.

20 min·Pairs

Real-World Connections

• Consider the role of political party conventions today. The rise of mass participation in politics during the Age of Jackson, with more open conventions and rallies, laid groundwork for modern campaign strategies used by parties like the Democrats and Republicans.
• Think about how local election campaigns are run. The Jacksonian era saw a surge in local political organizing and newspaper endorsements, similar to how local candidates today use social media and community events to connect with voters.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

Present students with two short quotes, one describing a pre-Jackson appointment process and another describing the spoils system. Ask students to identify which quote represents which system and explain one key difference in their own words.

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Was the 'rise of the common man' during the Age of Jackson truly for all people, or primarily for a specific group?' Facilitate a class discussion where students use evidence from the lesson to support their arguments, considering the experiences of different groups.

Exit Ticket

Ask students to write a two-sentence definition of 'Jacksonian Democracy' in their own words. Then, have them list one specific political change that occurred during Andrew Jackson's presidency that exemplifies this concept.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did the Erie Canal change the U.S. economy?

The Erie Canal connected the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean via the Hudson River. It drastically reduced the cost and time of shipping goods, making New York City the nation's busiest port and encouraging the rapid growth of the Midwest as a major farming region.

What was the 'Lowell System'?

The Lowell System was a factory model in Massachusetts that employed young, unmarried women from local farms. They lived in company-owned boarding houses and were provided with educational and cultural opportunities, but they also worked extremely long hours under strict supervision.

What role did Eli Whitney play in the Industrial Revolution?

Eli Whitney is famous for two major innovations: the cotton gin, which made cotton production profitable (but also increased the demand for enslaved labor), and the use of 'interchangeable parts' in manufacturing, which allowed for the mass production of goods like muskets and clocks.

How can active learning help students understand the Industrial Revolution?

Active learning, such as 'innovation stations' or role-playing mill workers, makes the abstract concept of 'economic shift' tangible. When students calculate the cost savings of a canal or read the personal letters of a factory worker, they see the human and financial stakes of the era. This approach helps them understand how technology reshapes daily life and social structures.

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