Jackson in the White House Chapter 12 section 2

I. Andrew Jackson, self made man Jackson was born in a log cabin on the frontier. 1. Both of his parents died before Jackson was 15. 2. Jackson was a tough man. 3. Showed his determination and toughness when at 13 he joined the Patriots during the Revolution. 4. Studied law in NC and Practiced law in TN. Bought and sold land 5. Jackson won national fame for his achievements during the War of 1812. 6. Lost his temper quickly and dealt with opponents harshly.

II. Spoils System When Jackson took office, he knew he had to make changes that Americans were calling for. Jackson fired more than 200 previous presidential appointees and replaced them with his own supporters. 1. Critics claimed he was rewarding other Democrats that helped him win. 2. Jackson said he was serving democracy by letting more citizens take part in government. C. This action became known as the spoils system. Spoils System- the practice of rewarding supporters with government jobs.

D. The “Kitchen Cabinet” Jackson rewarded a number of his supporters by appointing them to his Cabinet. Martin Van Buren was the only one qualified for his position in the Cabinet. Jackson seldom met with his official cabinet, instead he met with his “Kitchen Cabinet” a. They met in the kitchen of the White House b. Kitchen Cabinet- a group of unofficial advisers

III. The Bank War Jackson waged war with the Bank of the United States. - Felt the bank was too powerful. B. The bank had great control because they controlled the money that state banks lent out. C. When directors of the Bank of the US felt the state banks were giving to many loans out, they limited the giving power. -This angered farmers and merchants relied on the loans.

D. Jackson and leading Democrats saw the bank as undemocratic. 1. Though the bank was created by Congress, it was run by private bankers. 2. Jackson especially disliked the president of the bank, Nicholas Biddle. 3. Biddle was from a rich family and was very arrogant and vain. 4. Only wanted the bank to help the rich. 5. Also had influence over certain members of Congress

E. War Begins Biddle and Whigs worried that Jackson would destroy the bank. Although the banks charter was not up for renewal until 1836, Whigs Henry Clay and Daniel Webster wanted Biddle to renew early. (election issue) Clay pushed it through Congress and got the charter renewed. Felt if Jackson vetoed charter it would lose him votes. Jackson was furious over the new charter. He sent a letter to Congress to veto the bank charter with two reasons. a. He declared the bank unconstitutional because only states can charter a bank. b. Felt the bank helped the rich at the expense of the common people.

F. The Bank Closes In the Election of 1832 the Whigs made the bank an issue by picking Clay to run against Jackson. Jackson won easily again despite the Whigs attempts to turn the people against Jackson. The Bank closed in 1836. Jackson had his Secretary of Treasury put all the money in to pet banks. Pet Banks- term for state banks selected by the Treasury to receive Treasury funds