Elections: Andrew Jackson

Quote of the Day:

"I've got big shoes to fill. This is my chance to do something. I have to seize the moment." - Andrew Jackson

As long as our government is administered for the good of the people, and is regulated by their will; as long as it secures to us the rights of persons and of property, liberty of conscience and of the press, it will be worth defending.  - Andrew Jackson

Day 8 VoCaBulary:

count

alike

debate

county

inauguration

legislate

majority

national

Andrew Jackson:

Andrew Jackson was the seventh president of the United States. Jackson was born on March 15, 1767, in Waxhaw Settlement, South Carolina. After law school, Jackson served in Congress and was a judge. He founded the modern day Democratic Party, campaigning under the slogan "Let the people rule". He was a major general in the War of 1812, became a national hero, and in 1828, was elected president (he served from 1829 until 1837). Jackson died on June 8, 1845, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Discovering Elections:

Whom did President Jackson have to campaign against when he ran for president of the US?

 Andrew Jackson campaigned against John Quincy Adams.

What are the main responsibilites of the legislative branch of our government?

The legislative branch of our government is made up of the Congress and government agencies. Article I of the Constitution established this branch and gave Congress the power to make laws.

Congress has two parts, the House of Representatives and the Senate.

What are the main responsibilites of the executive branch of our government?

The executive branch of our government ensures that the laws of the United States are obeyed. The President of the United States is the head of the executive branch of government.

• President: Leader of the country and commands the military.
• Vice President: President of the Senate and becomes President if the President can no longer do the job.
• Departments: Department heads advise the President on issues and help carry out policies.
• Independent Agencies: Help carry out policy or provide special services.

What are the main responsibilites of the judical branch of our government?

The judicial branch of our government is made up of the court system. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land. Article III of the COnstitution established this Court and all other Federal courts were created by Congress. Courts decide arguments about the meaning of laws, how they are applied, and whether they break the rules of the Constitution.

How does an American run for president? What is the campaign process like?

Under the terms of the United States Constitution, someone who wants to become the president of America must be a natural born United States citizen who is at least 35 years old and who has lived as a resident of the US for 14 years. These are the only legal requirements for the position, but many people have many expectations of presidential candidates which could be considered informal requirements. Additionally, anyone wanting to run for president must have access to very large sums of money, as a campaign costs a great deal of money.

The U.S. presidential election process is very long and complicated. It happens every four years and involves several candidates, thousands of volunteers and millions of campaign dollars. It is a process of attrition. Ambitious candidates announce they want to be the president then try to gather fudning and popular support. Those who fail drop out. Those who succeed move on to the state primaries and caucuses. Other candidates quit as the more popular ones win contests and raise more money. Each political party eventually nominates their champion to represent them in the general election. The winner of the electoral college becomes the next president.

What were the first two main political parties in the America? Describe the history of politcal parties in America. Does the Constitution describe political parties? America's two-party system is as old as the country itself, but the first two political parties weren't called Democrats and Republicans. They were the Federalists and the Republicans, who actually had more in common with today's Democratic Party than with today's Republican Party.

There is no mention of the role or function of national parties in the Constitution.

A viable national party system had emerged by the late 1830s. National political parties brought together diverse local and regional coalitions who wanted to voice their opinions in a national forum. An important part of their strategy was to gain control of Congress and the presidency.

A convention's primary function was not always to select a candidate but to reconcile competing factions and unite the party behind the nominee.