Amsco Chapter 7 Reading Guide Answers

Unlocking Success in AP United States History: A Deep Dive into AMSCO Chapter 7 and How to Master It

Chapter 7 of the AMSCO United States History: Preparing for the Advanced Placement Examination textbook delves into the complexities of the Age of Jackson and its profound impact on American society, politics, and economics. This era, spanning roughly from the 1820s to the 1840s, witnessed a surge in popular democracy, westward expansion, and the intensification of sectional tensions, particularly surrounding the issue of slavery. Understanding this chapter thoroughly is crucial for success on the AP exam. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive roadmap for navigating Chapter 7 effectively, focusing on key concepts, potential essay topics, and strategies for answering reading guide questions with precision and depth.

Why is Chapter 7 (The Age of Jackson) So Important for the AP Exam?

The Age of Jackson is a recurring theme on the AP US History exam for several reasons:

• Transformation of American Politics: This period saw a shift from the elitist politics of the early republic to a more participatory form of democracy, driven by universal white male suffrage and the rise of mass political parties. Understanding this transition is fundamental to grasping the evolution of American political culture.
• Westward Expansion and its Consequences: Jackson's presidency coincided with aggressive westward expansion, leading to conflicts with Native American tribes, debates over slavery in new territories, and the growth of the market economy.
• Economic Development and the Rise of Sectionalism: The Market Revolution, fueled by advancements in transportation and technology, spurred economic growth but also exacerbated regional differences between the industrial North, the agricultural South, and the developing West. These differences ultimately contributed to the outbreak of the Civil War.
• Foundation for Later Conflicts: The issues debated and the policies enacted during the Age of Jackson, such as states' rights, the role of the federal government in the economy, and the expansion of slavery, laid the groundwork for the major conflicts that would dominate American history in the mid-19th century.

Key Concepts and Themes in AMSCO Chapter 7

Before diving into the reading guide questions, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the core concepts and themes covered in Chapter 7. Here's a breakdown:

• Jacksonian Democracy: This refers to the political philosophy and policies associated with Andrew Jackson, emphasizing popular sovereignty, limited government, and the expansion of political participation for the common man (specifically, white men).
• Universal White Male Suffrage: The gradual elimination of property qualifications for voting, which significantly increased the number of eligible voters and transformed American elections.
• The Spoils System: Jackson's practice of rewarding political supporters with government jobs, which, while controversial, solidified party loyalty and increased political engagement.
• The Nullification Crisis: A confrontation between the federal government and South Carolina over tariffs, which raised questions about states' rights and the power of the federal government.
• The Bank War: Jackson's battle against the Second Bank of the United States, which he viewed as a corrupt and undemocratic institution controlled by wealthy elites.
• Indian Removal: Jackson's policy of forcibly removing Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the Southeast, culminating in the Trail of Tears.
• The Whig Party: A political party formed in opposition to Jacksonian Democrats, advocating for a strong federal government, economic development, and social reform.
• The Panic of 1837: A severe economic depression that occurred during Martin Van Buren's presidency, largely due to Jackson's economic policies.
• The Market Revolution: The transformation of the American economy from a primarily agricultural system to a more industrialized and market-oriented one, driven by advancements in transportation, technology, and manufacturing.
• The Second Great Awakening: A religious revival movement that emphasized personal conversion, emotional worship, and social reform.
• Transcendentalism: A philosophical movement that emphasized individualism, intuition, and the inherent goodness of humanity.

Strategies for Answering AMSCO Chapter 7 Reading Guide Questions

The AMSCO reading guides are designed to help you actively engage with the material and reinforce your understanding of key concepts. Here are some effective strategies for tackling these questions:

• Read the Chapter Carefully and Actively: Don't just passively read the text. Highlight key terms, take notes in the margins, and summarize each section in your own words.
• Understand the Question: Before attempting to answer a question, make sure you fully understand what it's asking. Pay attention to keywords like "explain," "analyze," "compare," and "contrast."
• Use Specific Examples: Avoid vague generalizations. Support your answers with specific examples and evidence from the textbook.
• Provide Context: Place events and ideas within their historical context. Explain the causes and consequences of events, and show how they relate to broader themes.
• Develop Arguments: Many reading guide questions require you to develop an argument or interpretation. State your claim clearly and support it with evidence.
• Consider Different Perspectives: The Age of Jackson was a complex and controversial period. Acknowledge different perspectives and interpretations of events.
• Write Concisely and Clearly: Answer the questions in a clear, concise, and organized manner. Use proper grammar and spelling.
• Review Your Answers: After completing the reading guide, review your answers to ensure they are accurate, complete, and well-supported.

Sample Reading Guide Questions and Answers (Adapted from typical AMSCO Chapter 7 Prompts)

Let's examine some sample reading guide questions and provide detailed answers that demonstrate the strategies discussed above. These are examples, and the exact questions in your AMSCO book may vary.

Question 1: Explain the major characteristics of Jacksonian Democracy. How did it differ from the political beliefs of the earlier Republican era?

Answer: Jacksonian Democracy was characterized by a belief in the power of the common man, particularly white men. This manifested in several key ways:

• Universal White Male Suffrage: The elimination of property qualifications for voting allowed more men to participate in the political process, leading to a surge in voter turnout and a shift towards more populist candidates.
• The Spoils System: Jackson's practice of rewarding political supporters with government jobs, while criticized for its potential for corruption, was defended as a way to make government more responsive to the will of the people. It cemented party loyalty.
• Popular Election of Presidential Electors: Many states shifted from having state legislatures choose presidential electors to allowing voters to directly elect them, further empowering the electorate.
• Strong Executive Branch: Jackson believed in a strong presidency and was willing to use his veto power to challenge Congress and assert his authority. He vetoed more bills than all previous presidents combined.
• Belief in Limited Government: While advocating for a strong executive, Jackson also generally favored limited government intervention in the economy, as seen in his opposition to the Second Bank of the United States.

Jacksonian Democracy differed significantly from the political beliefs of the earlier Republican era (dominated by figures like Jefferson and Madison). The earlier Republicans, while advocating for a republic based on popular sovereignty, still believed in a more limited role for the common man in government. They favored a more educated and elite leadership, fearing the potential for mob rule. Jacksonians, on the other hand, embraced the idea of mass participation in politics and saw the common man as capable of self-governance. They were more suspicious of centralized power and economic elites.

Question 2: Analyze the causes and effects of the Nullification Crisis. What did this crisis reveal about the growing sectional tensions in the United States?

Answer: The Nullification Crisis was sparked by a series of tariffs passed by Congress in the 1820s, which South Carolina deemed unconstitutional. The causes of the crisis can be attributed to:

• Economic Grievances: South Carolina's economy relied heavily on agriculture, particularly cotton production, and the tariffs raised the prices of manufactured goods that they imported. They felt the tariffs unfairly benefited the industrial North at their expense.
• States' Rights Doctrine: South Carolina Senator John C. Calhoun, a leading proponent of states' rights, argued that states had the right to nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional. This doctrine was based on the idea that the states had created the federal government and therefore had the ultimate authority to interpret the Constitution.
• Fear of Federal Overreach: South Carolinians feared that the federal government would eventually use its power to abolish slavery, which they saw as essential to their economy and way of life. The tariff issue became a proxy for the larger debate over slavery.

The effects of the Nullification Crisis were significant:

• Heightened Sectional Tensions: The crisis exposed the deep divisions between the North and the South over issues of economic policy and states' rights.
• Threat of Civil War: Jackson's strong response to the crisis, including his threat to use military force to enforce federal law, raised the specter of civil war.
• Compromise Tariff of 1833: The crisis was ultimately resolved through a compromise tariff negotiated by Henry Clay, which gradually reduced tariff rates over time. While this temporarily defused the situation, it did not address the underlying issues that had caused the crisis.

The Nullification Crisis revealed that the growing sectional tensions in the United States were not just about economic differences, but also about fundamental disagreements over the nature of the Union and the balance of power between the federal government and the states. It foreshadowed the even greater conflicts that would erupt in the decades leading up to the Civil War.

Question 3: Discuss Andrew Jackson's policy toward Native Americans. What were the justifications for this policy, and what were its consequences?

Answer: Andrew Jackson's policy toward Native Americans was one of forced removal and dispossession. He advocated for the removal of all Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the Southeast to lands west of the Mississippi River. This policy culminated in the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which authorized the president to negotiate treaties with Native American tribes for their removal.

The justifications for this policy were rooted in:

• Land Hunger: White settlers desired the fertile lands occupied by Native American tribes in the Southeast, particularly for cotton cultivation.
• Belief in White Supremacy: Many Americans believed that Native Americans were inferior to whites and that their culture was incompatible with American civilization. They argued that removal was necessary to "civilize" or "protect" Native Americans.
• National Security: Some argued that the presence of independent Native American nations within the United States posed a threat to national security.

The consequences of Jackson's Indian Removal policy were devastating:

• The Trail of Tears: The forced removal of the Cherokee Nation from their lands in Georgia to Oklahoma resulted in the deaths of thousands of Cherokees due to disease, starvation, and exposure. This tragic event became known as the Trail of Tears.
• Loss of Land and Culture: Native American tribes lost their ancestral lands, their cultural traditions were disrupted, and their political sovereignty was undermined.
• Increased Conflict: The removal policy led to increased conflict between Native Americans and white settlers in the West.
• Long-Term Social and Economic Problems: The forced removal of Native Americans contributed to long-term social and economic problems within Native American communities.

Jackson's Indian Removal policy remains a controversial and shameful chapter in American history, illustrating the brutality and injustice that Native Americans faced during the era of westward expansion.

Question 4: Compare and contrast the philosophies and platforms of the Democratic and Whig parties during the Age of Jackson.

Answer: The Democratic and Whig parties emerged as the two dominant political forces during the Age of Jackson, representing distinct ideologies and constituencies.

Democrats:

• Leader: Andrew Jackson
• Philosophy: Emphasized individual liberty, states' rights, and limited government. They appealed to the common man, particularly farmers and laborers.
• Platform:
  • Opposed federal intervention in the economy, including the Second Bank of the United States.
  • Supported westward expansion and the removal of Native Americans.
  • Opposed tariffs and internal improvements funded by the federal government.
  • Favored a strict interpretation of the Constitution.
• Constituency: Farmers, laborers, immigrants, and small business owners, particularly in the South and West.

Whigs:

• Leaders: Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, John Quincy Adams
• Philosophy: Advocated for a strong federal government, economic development, and social reform. They appealed to a broader range of interests, including business owners, planters, and reformers.
• Platform:
  • Supported federal funding for internal improvements (roads, canals, railroads).
  • Favored a national bank and a protective tariff.
  • Advocated for moral reform, such as temperance and abolition.
  • Supported a more active role for government in promoting economic growth and social progress.
• Constituency: Business owners, planters, professionals, and reformers, particularly in the North and East.

Comparison:

Both parties appealed to a broad range of voters and employed similar campaign tactics, such as rallies, parades, and partisan newspapers. Both also reflected the growing democratization of American politics.

Contrast:

The key difference between the two parties lay in their views on the role of government. Democrats favored a limited government that allowed individuals and states to make their own decisions, while Whigs advocated for a more active government that promoted economic development and social reform. This fundamental difference shaped their positions on key issues such as the national bank, tariffs, and internal improvements.

Question 5: How did the Second Great Awakening and Transcendentalism influence American society during the Age of Jackson?

Answer: The Second Great Awakening and Transcendentalism were two influential movements that shaped American society during the Age of Jackson.

The Second Great Awakening:

• Focus: Religious revivalism, emphasizing personal conversion, emotional worship, and social reform.
• Impact:
  • Increased church membership and religious participation.
  • Inspired social reform movements, such as abolitionism, temperance, and women's rights.
  • Promoted a sense of moral responsibility and the belief that individuals could improve themselves and society.
  • Led to the formation of new denominations, such as the Methodist and Baptist churches.
• Connection to Jacksonian Era: The emphasis on individual agency and democratic participation resonated with the spirit of Jacksonian Democracy. The Second Great Awakening empowered ordinary people and encouraged them to take an active role in shaping their communities.

Transcendentalism:

• Focus: A philosophical movement emphasizing individualism, intuition, and the inherent goodness of humanity.
• Impact:
  • Encouraged people to question authority and conventional wisdom.
  • Promoted self-reliance, nonconformity, and a connection to nature.
  • Inspired literary and artistic expression, as seen in the works of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau.
  • Influenced social reform movements, such as abolitionism and utopianism.
• Connection to Jacksonian Era: Transcendentalism's emphasis on individualism and self-reliance aligned with the Jacksonian emphasis on individual liberty. However, its critique of materialism and social conformity also stood in contrast to the more pragmatic and populist aspects of Jacksonian Democracy.

Overall Influence:

Both the Second Great Awakening and Transcendentalism contributed to a climate of social and intellectual ferment during the Age of Jackson. They challenged traditional norms, inspired social reform movements, and promoted a sense of individual empowerment. While they differed in their focus and approach, both movements played a significant role in shaping the cultural and intellectual landscape of the era.

Potential Essay Topics for AMSCO Chapter 7

Mastering the content of Chapter 7 will prepare you to tackle a variety of essay questions on the AP exam. Here are some potential essay topics to consider:

• To what extent was Andrew Jackson a champion of the "common man"?
• Analyze the causes and consequences of westward expansion during the Age of Jackson.
• Evaluate the impact of the Market Revolution on American society and economy.
• Compare and contrast the political ideologies of the Democratic and Whig parties.
• Assess the effectiveness of reform movements during the Age of Jackson.
• How did the issue of slavery shape political and social developments during the Age of Jackson?
• Analyze the ways in which the relationship between the federal government and the states evolved during the Age of Jackson.

Additional Tips for Success

• Use External Resources: Supplement your AMSCO reading with other resources, such as online lectures, primary source documents, and historical articles.
• Practice AP-Style Questions: Familiarize yourself with the format and style of AP exam questions by practicing multiple-choice questions and free-response questions.
• Review Key Terms and Concepts Regularly: Consistent review is essential for retaining information and building a strong foundation of knowledge.
• Connect the Age of Jackson to Other Periods in American History: Understand how the events and ideas of this era connect to earlier and later periods in American history.
• Stay Organized: Keep your notes, reading guides, and practice questions organized so you can easily review them.

By following these strategies and dedicating yourself to mastering the content of AMSCO Chapter 7, you will be well-prepared to succeed on the AP United States History exam and gain a deeper understanding of this pivotal era in American history. The Age of Jackson, with its focus on democracy, expansion, and the seeds of sectional conflict, provides a crucial lens through which to view the development of the nation. Good luck!