Teaching American History

1
Teaching American History

• The Inauguration of
• Andrew Jackson
• March 4, 1829
• America Enters the Age of the Common Man

2
Teaching American History

• Selected Text of the First Inaugural Address of
  Andrew Jackson
  
• WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1829
• Fellow-Citizens
• About to undertake the arduous duties that I have
  been appointed to perform by the choice of a free
  people, I avail myself of this customary and
  solemn occasion to express the gratitude which
  their confidence inspires and to acknowledge the
  accountability which my situation enjoins. While
  the magnitude of their interests convinces me
  that no thanks can be adequate to the honor they
  have conferred, it admonishes me that the best
  return I can make is the zealous dedication of my
  humble abilities to their service and their good.

3
Teaching American History

• Is Pedigree Important in the Making of Leader?
• Andrew Jackson was
• Unsophisticated
• Horse racing, card playing
• Uncivilized
• Indian fighter, dueler
• Self-educated
• Read law books and passed NC bar exam

4
Teaching American History

• Elitism and Privilege Problems with The
  Election of 1824
  
• I. Election is too crowded
• Candidates
• John Q. Adams
• Henry Clay
• Andrew Jackson
• who are the other two candidates???
• II. Votes are too sectional
• III. No electoral majority

5
Teaching American History

• Election
• of
• 1824

6
Teaching American History

• Pedigree vs. Simple Life The Election of 1828
• I. Two Party System
• Andrew Jackson Democratic Republican
  (Democrat)
  
• John Q. Adams National Republicans
• II. Dirty Politics Adams supporters attack
  Jacksons family
  
• Wife, Rachel accused of being bigamist dies
  shortly after reading a castigating
  election pamphlet about husband,
  Andrew
• Mother, Elizabeth COMMON PROSTITUTE

7
Teaching American History

• Pedigree vs. Simple Life The Election of 1828
• III. Dirty Politics Jackson supporters attack
  Adams
  
• Adams gambling in the White House
• Adams Procurer (P-I-M-P) for the Russian
  Czar

8
Teaching American History

• Election
• of
• 1828

9
Teaching American History

• The Common Mans Victory
• The Election of 1828 signaled a victory for the
  common man.
  
• It was a victory for the farmers over the rich
  and well-born.

10
Teaching American History

• A Party for the People
• or
• What Happens when the Country Cousins Show Up
• Inauguration Day March 4, 1829

11
Teaching American History

• 
  It
  
• 
  Began
  
• 
  Like This

12
Teaching American History

• 
  It
  
• Ended
• Like
• This!

13
Teaching American History

• What Manner of a Man?
• or
• What Happens when you mix with Wrong Kind
• (Margaret) Peggy ONeal Timberlake Eaton Affair

14
Teaching American History

• 
  
  
• 
  
  
• 
  

Margaret Peggy ONeal Timberlake Eaton
15
Teaching American History

• Discussion
• How does one woman threaten Andrew Jacksons
  Presidency and change the position of
  
• American Government ?
• or
• The Mistress of Many and the Friend of Few

16
Teaching American History

• Selected Bibliography about Peggy Eaton
• Eaton, Margaret ONeal, The Autobiography of
  Peggy Eaton (1932)
  
• Pollack, Queena, Peggy Eaton Democracy's
  Mistress (1931)
  
• Gerson, Noel Bertram, That Eaton Woman In
  Defense of Peggy O'Neale Eaton (1974)