Topic: Assessing the 1st Term of Andrew Jackson
1828 Election
Andrew Jackson as President Jackson: the “Common Man’s” President “Old Hickory” Reduction of “special privilege” Symbol of popular democracy “Will of the people” Not ideology or Congress Distrust of federal authority & power Wide use of Vetoes (Maysville Road Bill Veto) President powerful to protect the people
Jackson and the Spoils System Political Patronage: party supporters get government jobs “to the victor go the spoils” Jackson brings spoils system to the national level Jackson’s Claims: A “social leveling” of bureaucracy “anyone can be an official” Problems of the Spoils System: Corruption and incompetence
The Nullification Crisis (1828-1833) Tariff of 1828 “Tariff of Abominations” Protected NE industry, hurt the South Fear of Federal Regulation of Slavery South Carolina’s Protest The Exposition by John C. Calhoun (Jackson’s VP) Nullification of Federal Laws Refuses to pay Tariff duties Jackson: “the Union must be preserved” – threatens the use of force Compromise Tariff of 1833 (Clay) and the Force Bill
The Indian Removal Act 1830 “Five Civilized Tribes”- assimilation to white culture Georgia whites want land Jackson: remove Indians “for their own protection” Worcester v. Georgia & Cherokee Nation v. Georgia Marshall vs. Jackson Jackson ignores the court Trial of Tears (1838) Indians relocated west of Missouri 4,000 die on the way (disease, exposure)
Conclusion Do you regard Jackson as acting out the “will of the people”? What evidence can you give to support your opinion?