Skip to main content

History vs. Andrew Jackson - James Fester

3,151,133 Views

70,070 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

Andrew Jackson was both beloved and loathed during his presidency. In this imaginary courtroom, you get to be the jury, considering and weighing Jackson’s part in the spoils system, economic depression, and the Indian Removal Act, as well as his patriotism and the pressures of the presidency. James Fester explores how time shapes our relationship to controversial historical figures.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator James Fester
  • Animator Brett Underhill
  • Narrator Addison Anderson

If you were on the jury in Andrew Jackson’s trial, what would your final verdict have been? What pieces of evidence or parts of his life did you find most compelling in forming your own opinion? Do some of your own research.

TED-EdLesson CreatorNew York, NY

I would find him guilty for all the things he has done including forcing native tribes out of there native lands via the removal act.

Avatar for samantha anaya

Posted on 05/16/2024

Posted by samantha anaya LESSON IN PROGRESS

My final verdict would be that he is not guilty. Yes, he did ignore a Supreme Court ruling against the Indian Removal Act, but Martin Van Buren easily could've not followed suit with it when he was in office. Jackson also paid off our national debt and strengthened our foreign relationships.

Avatar for Jordan Wetherell

Posted on 01/11/2024

Posted by Jordan Wetherell COMPLETED LESSON

If I was on jury duty i would find him guilty of the deaths of 15,000 Cherokees. Forcing someone out of their home is cruel.

Avatar for Delilah Matos

Posted on 10/19/2023

Posted by Delilah Matos LESSON IN PROGRESS

If I was on the jury in Andrew Jackson's trial, my final verdict would probably be that he's guilty because he forced people out of there homes. Also, he made the Cherokee tribe move west of the Mississippi river away from their homes.

Avatar for Paige Westerman

Posted on 03/09/2023

Posted by Paige Westerman COMPLETED LESSON

I would find him guilty because he forced people out of there homes which isn't right.Because he kinda was doing something reasonable to do but it still wasnt right.

Avatar for Estrella Valle

Posted on 03/08/2023

Posted by Estrella Valle LESSON IN PROGRESS

I would have found him guilty. I know he was doing what he thought was best, but does that really give him the authority to force others from their homes? No.

Avatar for Ariel Yudin

Posted on 03/08/2023

Posted by Ariel Yudin LESSON IN PROGRESS

i find him gulity because of all the thing he dose at the time i could have been not that bad but i ont rally agree he forced people out of there homes and all in all he wasnt a very good man but on the otther hand he was trying to protect them .

Avatar for Olyssa Gibson

Posted on 03/08/2023

Posted by Olyssa Gibson COMPLETED LESSON

My final verdict would have been guilty because of what he did to the Cherokee tribe. He made them move west of the Mississippi river.

Avatar for Tabitha Brown

Posted on 03/06/2023

Posted by Tabitha Brown COMPLETED LESSON

I believe he was guilty, he did so much to lead to it. At the time of the events, I would say he was very guilty just because of the timeline.

Avatar for Gracey Dover

Posted on 03/06/2023

Posted by Gracey Dover LESSON IN PROGRESS

Loading...