Activity Overview
During Jackson's presidency, he had two cabinets advising him. One was the official president's cabinet, the other was his own group, commonly known as the "kitchen cabinet". Using a T Chart, students will compare and contrast what a true cabinet position does (and who held it) alongside who Jackson chose to listen to (and what their positions were). This will help them better understand the decisions made during Jackson's two terms and provide an easy reference for students to look back on.
Jackson's Presidential Cabinet
- Vice President: John C. Calhoun
- Secretary of State
- Secretary of War: John Eaton
- Secretary of Treasury
Jackson's Kitchen Cabinet
- Martin van Buren
- Francis Preston Blair
- Amos Kendall
- Duff Green
Extended Activity
Have students research and explain the evolution of the presidential cabinet, as it has grown from the beginning of American politics, and the position of the presidency. Examine the current presidential cabinet and what their roles are advising the president. Have students research if there are still any external influences on the president today.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Use a T Chart to compare and contrast Jackson's presidential cabinet with his "kitchen cabinet".
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In one column, identify the members of Jackson's Presidential Cabinet.
- In the other, identify the members of his "Kitchen Cabinet".
- In the description boxes, summarize the role of each cabinet position, their views, and whether or not they stayed in that position.
- Create an illustration for each cell using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Activity Overview
During Jackson's presidency, he had two cabinets advising him. One was the official president's cabinet, the other was his own group, commonly known as the "kitchen cabinet". Using a T Chart, students will compare and contrast what a true cabinet position does (and who held it) alongside who Jackson chose to listen to (and what their positions were). This will help them better understand the decisions made during Jackson's two terms and provide an easy reference for students to look back on.
Jackson's Presidential Cabinet
- Vice President: John C. Calhoun
- Secretary of State
- Secretary of War: John Eaton
- Secretary of Treasury
Jackson's Kitchen Cabinet
- Martin van Buren
- Francis Preston Blair
- Amos Kendall
- Duff Green
Extended Activity
Have students research and explain the evolution of the presidential cabinet, as it has grown from the beginning of American politics, and the position of the presidency. Examine the current presidential cabinet and what their roles are advising the president. Have students research if there are still any external influences on the president today.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Use a T Chart to compare and contrast Jackson's presidential cabinet with his "kitchen cabinet".
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In one column, identify the members of Jackson's Presidential Cabinet.
- In the other, identify the members of his "Kitchen Cabinet".
- In the description boxes, summarize the role of each cabinet position, their views, and whether or not they stayed in that position.
- Create an illustration for each cell using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
How Tos about The Spoils System and “Kitchen Cabinet” of Andrew Jackson
Organize a classroom debate on the pros and cons of the spoils system
Encourage students to explore both sides by assigning teams to argue in favor or against the spoils system. This fosters critical thinking and helps students understand the complexities of political appointments during Jackson's presidency.
Research and present modern examples of unofficial presidential advisors
Guide students to investigate current or recent presidents who relied on informal advisors, sometimes called a 'kitchen cabinet.' Comparing history with today deepens relevance and engagement.
Create visual timelines showing changes in the presidential cabinet over time
Have students build a timeline highlighting key changes in the cabinet's structure and roles from Jackson’s era to the present. This visualizes historical evolution and makes abstract concepts concrete.
Lead a discussion connecting the cabinet’s influence to major presidential decisions
Facilitate a conversation where students link specific cabinet or 'kitchen cabinet' advice to notable decisions made by Jackson. Demonstrating real-world impact helps students see the importance of these advisory groups.
Assign students to role-play cabinet meetings using historical scenarios
Assign roles from both the official and 'kitchen' cabinets and give students historical dilemmas to solve. Role-play builds empathy, understanding, and engagement with the complexities of leadership.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Spoils System and “Kitchen Cabinet” of Andrew Jackson
What was Andrew Jackson's 'kitchen cabinet' and how did it differ from his official presidential cabinet?
The 'kitchen cabinet' was an informal group of trusted advisors Andrew Jackson relied on, separate from his official presidential cabinet. While the official cabinet included appointed government officials like the Vice President and Secretaries, the kitchen cabinet consisted of close friends and allies who influenced Jackson's decisions behind the scenes.
How can students use a T Chart to compare Jackson's presidential cabinet and kitchen cabinet?
Students can use a T Chart by listing official cabinet members on one side and kitchen cabinet members on the other. In each column, they can summarize roles, viewpoints, and tenure, helping visualize differences and similarities between the two advisory groups.
Who were the main members of Andrew Jackson's official and kitchen cabinets?
Jackson's official cabinet included John C. Calhoun (Vice President), John Eaton (Secretary of War), and others. His kitchen cabinet featured Martin van Buren, Francis Preston Blair, Amos Kendall, and Duff Green, who were trusted friends and informal advisors.
Why did Andrew Jackson rely on a kitchen cabinet instead of just his official advisors?
Jackson turned to his kitchen cabinet because he sometimes distrusted official cabinet members or faced internal conflicts. The informal group provided advice he valued and allowed him to bypass political disagreements in the formal cabinet.
What is the purpose of comparing Jackson's cabinets in a classroom activity?
Comparing Jackson's cabinets helps students understand how presidential decisions are influenced, the role of formal vs. informal advisors, and the impact of personal relationships on government leadership during Jacksonian Democracy.
More Storyboard That Activities
Jacksonian Democracy
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