Andrew Jackson and Immigration
Nullification Crisis Tariffs Nullification Prohibitive in 1828 1832 - lower tariff rate, but applies to more goods Nullification Idea proposed by John C. Calhoun, Andrew Jackson’s vice president. A state has the right to nullify federal laws within its own borders.
Jackson’s response Organized army. Force Act – congress authorized the president to use force to make South Carolina comply with federal law. THIS SETS A HUGE PRECEDENT: The union was inviolable and affirms that federal law supercedes state law
Compromised - again Henry Clay organized it – again Tariff reduced to pre-1828 levels. South saved face – asserted that their ideals won out. South Carolina legislature passed a resolution nullifying the Force Act.
What does this have to do with slavery? Jamaica had a slave insurrection that convinced Great Britain to abolish slavery. Accomplished within two years. Compensation to owners. Nat Turner’s rebellion. The South viewed nullification as a method for keeping the federal government out of all aspects of Southern society. if the federal government can tax them via tariffs and force it to stick, they could possibly pass laws against slavery
The Bank War 325 different private banks printed money
Bank War Currency Circular Specie Act Result – MASSIVE deflation Removed all denominations greater than $5. Specie Act Requirement that all public lands be paid in gold or silver. Result – MASSIVE deflation Cotton prices dropped. Unemployment surged.
Immigration
Immigration in US Early decades of the 1800s Only about 5,000 immigrants per year. 1830s – increased to 50,000 1840s – increased to 150,000 1850s – increased to 300,000 Nation’s largest cities Boston – ½ of the population New York – more than ¾ Philadelphia, Pittsburg, and Providence – more than ½.
Effects of Immigration The North’s population surged ahead of the South. In many urban areas native born Americans are in the minority.
Irish Immigration Largely illiterate and took lowest paying jobs. Lived in slum conditions. Catholics
Irish Potato Famine Begins summer of 1845. One expert thought it was static, smoke, or an underground volcano Actually a fungus that originated in central America.
Famine’s impact 750,000 starved to death. 2 million left Ireland. By 1850 Ireland’s population declined by 25%