Lesson Plans – High School
1 | Video Viewing Guide
Directions: While watching the videos, answer the following questions.
Reinventing the Presidency, Part 1
- What were the intentions of the Founding Fathers regarding the power and role of the president? Who did they think should dominate the federal government?
- How was the president initially selected?
- What tactics did Jackson use to rally supporters?
- Why did Jackson believe the president should dominate the federal government?
- What is the "spoils system"?
Reinventing the Presidency, Part 2
- How does Jackson use the presidential veto? How did this fit with his new vision of the President?
- What did the Founding Fathers think of political parties? Why?
- How did Jackson benefit from the Democratic Party?
- Why, at times, does Congress fail to check the power of the president?
The Corporations
- What was Jackson's economic vision for America?
- What was Jackson specifically worried about?
- What warning did Jackson issue in his farewell address?
Bank Wars
- Why did Jackson distrust corporations?
- What did Jackson dislike about the Second Bank of the United States?
- Why did Jackson veto the bill rechartering the Bank of the United States?
