Quiz for American Voices: The Character and Goals of Andrew Jackson

Question

1. James Parton argues in his Preface to The Life of Andrew Jackson that the president was

A.
B.
C.
D.
Correct. The answer is a. Parton lists many different characterizations of Jackson, essentially arguing that Jackson was a contradictory figure.
Incorrect. The answer is a. Parton lists many different characterizations of Jackson, essentially arguing that Jackson was a contradictory figure.

Question

2. Which of the following groups would have been most likely to support Philip Hone’s assessment of Andrew Jackson?

A.
B.
C.
D.
Correct. The answer is a. Northern textile manufacturers, who feared Jackson’s opposition to the American system and his reduction of the tariff, would have been most likely to support Philip Hone’s contention that Jackson was leading a battle of the poor against the rich.
Incorrect. The answer is a. Northern textile manufacturers, who feared Jackson’s opposition to the American system and his reduction of the tariff, would have been most likely to support Philip Hone’s contention that Jackson was leading a battle of the poor against the rich.

Question

3. Which of the authors included here agrees most closely with Henry Clay’s assessment of Andrew Jackson?

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B.
C.
D.
Correct. The answer is c. Although Hone argued that Jackson was instituting mob rule and Clay argued that he was an autocrat, both men were strong opponents of Jackson. Both agreed that he was a dangerous figure who constituted a strong threat to the republican status quo in America.
Incorrect. The answer is c. Although Hone argued that Jackson was instituting mob rule and Clay argued that he was an autocrat, both men were strong opponents of Jackson. Both agreed that he was a dangerous figure who constituted a strong threat to the republican status quo in America.

Question

4. Which of Jackson’s actions could counter Henry Clay’s contention that Jackson aimed primarily to concentrate power in his own hands?

A.
B.
C.
D.
Correct. The answer is c. Jackson’s appointment of Roger Taney as Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court laid the groundwork for a major extension of states’ rights. This action encouraged the spread of political power, not its concentration in Jackson’s hands.
Incorrect. The answer is c. Jackson’s appointment of Roger Taney as Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court laid the groundwork for a major extension of states’ rights. This action encouraged the spread of political power, not its concentration in Jackson’s hands.