de Tocqueville’s or Jackson’s America? Life in the Early 1800s

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The Basics

Time Required

Subject Areas

AP US History

Expansion and Reform, 1800-1860

Common Core Standards Addressed:

Writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies 6-12

Author

Lisa Waligora (2006)

The Lesson

Introduction

Once James Monroe leaves the presidency in 1824, the Founding Fathers era is over and the United States finds itself redefining America and Americans. The election of 1824 brought a new breed of politicians and voters. The country begins to force its way to the west under Manifest Destiny as immigrants and citizens alike find themselves moving from rural to urban areas. Industry begins its takeover of the U.S. economy setting the foundations for trust building and hurling the United States into economic depression.

The song selections incorporated into this lesson illustrate many of the feelings of everyday citizens regarding issues facing Americans in this new era of U.S. History. They also serve as a new way of thinking about the events dryly explained in textbooks.

Guiding Questions

What jobs were available in the early 1800s and what was the work like?
What technology was available to make work easier?
How did everyday life reflect the changes in the work place?

Learning Objectives

After completing this lesson students will:

1. Analyze several primary source songs, art, and other documents regarding life in the 1830s.

2. Evaluate the working class American society according to de Tocqueville’s observations and Andrew Jackson’s vision.

Preparation Instructions

Song used in this lesson:

“Oh, Shenandoah”

Lesson Activities

1. After students have been introduced to both de Tocqueville and Jackson’s opinions about America in prior lessons, the class will be given the lyrics to “Oh, Shenandoah.” If possible an audio recording will also be available.

Performances of this song are available on the following CDs:

Paul Clayton, “Whaling and Sailing Songs from the Days of Moby Dick”

Bob Dylan, “Down in the Groove”

Pete Seeger, “America’s Favorite Ballads”

Thomas Hampson, “Song of America”

Zesty Seaman Chorus, “Sea Heritage Favorites”

Bruce Springsteen, “We Shall Overcome, The Seeger Sessions”

2. As students listen/read the lyrics, they will write a 4-minute timed journal entry to the following prompt:

What images does this song evoke? What do you think the song is about?

Allow students to share ideas.

3. Explain what a sea chanty is and how this song was used especially on the rivers by Keel boats (flat bottom boats) and along canals. Other vocabulary might include:

Vocabulary:

Sea Chanty Canals Lock Keel Boats

Flat Bottom Boats Notions

4. Ask students to pick out several themes or ideas presented by the song such as river transportation, boatmen, sailors, a long journey, etc. After this guided discussion show the students the five images that fit the timbre of the song.

5. Next present the class with the National Archive Song Analysis worksheet (see below), which can be edited to fit your needs. As a class complete the worksheet.

6. Divide the class into pairs or groups, giving each group a song, a recording if possible, and the analysis worksheet. They will also have to find or create at least five images that help illustrate the song and at least some of the themes or events they defined in the worksheet. These images can be created, or collected from the internet and put into a storyboard or PowerPoint. Images copied from outside sources must be documented.

7. Songs, analysis, and illustrations are shared with the class with time for questions and discussion.

8. Finally these “Final Thought” questions must be answered by each individual student and turned in at the end of class:

What did America offer people in the early 19th century?

What wealth did America possess?

Who benefited from this wealth?

What did the American Dream look like during this time period?

Assessment

Assessment can be any combination of informal, checking for understanding as well as formal in the form of the group analysis, illustration, and presentation and the “Final Thoughts” questions due at the end of class.

Extending the Lesson

Extension lessons will continue defining the America that de Tocqueville and Jackson envisioned and can be targeted to any number of specific content areas such as the Banking crisis, the Indian Removal Act, the advent of steam engines, expansion of US Territory, etc.

Resources

Lyrics

(These lyrics may not be a perfect match for all recordings available)

“Oh Shenandoah”

Oh, Shenandoah's my native valley.

Aa-way, you rolling river!

Shenandoah is my native valley.