Andrew Jackson as President 1828-1836 Jackson’s two terms in office were tough! Secession, depression, and even a good old fashion scandal met “Old Hickory” in the White House.

The “Spoils” System When Jackson took office, he fired many government workers and replaced them with supporters. “To the victor goes the spoils” Many of Jackson’s enemies saw this as a corrupt practice. Jackson as the devil, giving away the spoils

The Tariff of Abominations Tariff of 1824  on iron goods and more expensive woolen and cotton imports. Tariff of 1828  higher tariffs on imported raw materials [like wool & hemp]. Both of these tariffs were passed by President Adams before Jackson, but Jackson supported them as a way for the federal government to make money. The South was adamantly against it! The called it a “Tariff of Abominations!” This caused goods in the south to rise in price

The Nullification Crisis South Carolina was especially upset by the tariff. The Vice-President John C. Calhoun was from S.C. and he proposed that states had the right to Nullify (reject) federal laws that the states believed were unconstitutional. Many in S.C. and around the country believed this would lead to Civil War. Jackson would have none of it. He refused the idea of nullification and told S.C they must follow federal law.

The Webster-Hayne Debate Sen. Daniel Webster [MA] Sen. Robert Hayne [SC] The debate was waged on the floor of congress and in the newspapers. South Carolina threatened to secede (leave) the union. Daniel Webster answered that threat with this famous line Webster: Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable!!!

Jackson threatened to hang the first nullifier he could get his hands on. He would keep S.C. in the Union by force if necessary. Jackson: Our Federal Union—it must be preserved! Calhoun: The Union, next to our liberty, most dear.

Calhoun Ascends the Platform that Leads to Despotism (dictatorship)

1832 Tariff Compromise Henry Clay came up with a lower tariff Compromise and war was avoided. Jackson ran for re-election, without Calhoun. The men were now bitter enemies. Clays Sews Up Jackson’s Mouth

The Cherokee Nation After 1820 The Cherokee Nation had adapted “white ways” by 1820. Sequoya had developed a written language for the Cherokee tongue, they had a Cherokee constitution, and had fought for the U.S. many times. But they were still Native Americans and whites wanted their land. There had also been gold discovered there in 1828 which increased the pressure to move the Cherokee west of the Mississippi along with other eastern tribes.

Indian Removal Jackson’s believed that the only way to “save” the Indian was to move him away from whites. In 1830 the Indian Removal Act was passed. It ordered all tribes to be moved west of the Mississippi. The Cherokee sued and twice won Supreme Court cases to keep their land. Cherokee Nation v. GA (1831) Worcester v. GA (1832) Jackson was unimpressed: “John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it!”

Indian Removal

Trail of Tears (1830-1839) The Cherokee and other tribes were forced from their homes, put in wagons, and forced to march hundreds of miles in the winter. Thousands died in this truly ugly incident in American History known as the Trial of Tears. In the whole scene there was an air of ruin and destruction, something which betrayed a final and (irreversible end) ; one couldn't watch without feeling one's heart wrung. The Indians were tranquil, but somber. There was one who could speak English and of whom I asked why the (they) were leaving their country. "To be free," he answered, We watch the expulsion of one of the most celebrated and ancient American peoples. ” —- Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America

Opposition to the 2nd Bank of the United States Jackson did not trust the 2nd bank of the United States. He felt that it benefited the wealthy and was corrupt. He also hated the President of the Bank, Nicholas Biddle When Biddle asked for Congress to renew the Bank in 1832, Jackson declared “war” on the bank. He vetoed its renewal and withdrew federal deposits from it and placed them into to smaller state banks. Biddle in retaliation brought the economy to a standstill by refusing to loan money. Jackson had yet another bitter enemy. He seems to have a lot of those!

The Bank & the 1832 Election Jackson saw Biddle’s pushing forward a bill to renew the Bank’s charter earlier as an attempt to block his re-election! Biddle & his associates preferred Henry Clay. Jackson refused to sign the bill to re-charter. The Bank is trying to destroy me, but I will destroy it! The Bank was the hot issue in the election of 1832. Jackson won the election because the common people once again sided with him. By 1841 the bank went bankrupt!

1832 Election Results

Champion of the “Common Man”? OR Champion of the “Common Man”? A Hero? “King”Andrew? A Villain?