I need help with the age of Jackson and westward expansion unit test my grades are falling behind so it would be greatly appreaciated :)

Answer 1

I can definitely help you study and prepare for your test on the Age of Jackson and Westward Expansion! Here are some key topics and concepts to review:

1. The Age of Jackson: This era refers to the presidency of Andrew Jackson (1829-1837) and the changes in American society and politics during his time in office. Jackson is known for his strong personality, strict enforcement of federal authority, and strong opposition against a national bank.

2. Indian Removal Act (1830): This controversial law, passed under Jackson's administration, forced the relocation of Native American tribes living in the southeastern United States to lands west of the Mississippi River. This resulted in the tragic Trail of Tears, where thousands of Native Americans died during the forced marches.

3. Nullification Crisis (1832-1833): This political crisis centered on the issue of states' rights versus federal authority. It began when South Carolina declared two federal tariff acts to be unconstitutional and nullified them within their state. This conflict was eventually resolved, but it highlighted the tensions over states' rights that would eventually lead to the Civil War.

4. Bank War (1832-1836): This refers to the conflict between President Jackson and the supporters of the Second Bank of the United States. Jackson believed the Bank held too much power and was corrupt, so he vetoed its recharter and removed federal funds from the Bank. This led to the growth of state banks and contributed to the financial instability that eventually led to the Panic of 1837.

5. Westward Expansion: This refers to the movement of Americans from the eastern seaboard towards the Western territories throughout the 19th century. This expansion was driven by factors like land hunger, the belief in manifest destiny, and the search for economic opportunities.

6. Manifest Destiny: This 19th-century belief held that it was the God-given destiny of the United States to expand its territory across the entire North American continent. This concept drove much of the westward expansion and served to justify American actions towards Native American populations and other nations (e.g. Mexican-American War).

7. Oregon Trail: This famous route was used by pioneers throughout the 19th century to reach the fertile lands in the Oregon Territory. It stretched from Independence, Missouri to the Pacific Northwest, and tens of thousands of people traveled this route in search of land and opportunity.

8. Texas Independence and the Mexican-American War (1836-1848): The Republic of Texas gained independence from Mexico in 1836 and was later admitted as a state in 1845. This, along with disputes over the border between Texas and Mexico, eventually led to the Mexican-American War, in which the United States defeated Mexico and gained large territories, including present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, and more.

As you study for your test, be sure to review these topics and try to understand how they affected the United States during the Age of Jackson and Westward Expansion. Good luck!