Chapter 11 Jacksonian America

The People’s President Andrew Jackson was popular because he related well to the people and came from a similar situation as them Upon becoming President, Jackson replaced hundred of government workers with his followers. Giving government jobs to loyal followers is known as the spoils system

The Spoils System The use of the spoils system caused corruption and for people to pay bribes for jobs. It also created political machines, organized groups of politicians who sought to control the government Jackson ignored his cabinet when making decisions and relied on his “Kitchen Cabinet”, close friends of his who gave him advice

Attitudes and Policies The Indians are in the way of American expansion Congress passed the Indian Removal Act, which gave the military the power to force Indians to move Many tribes go without a fight but the Cherokees in Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina refused to leave

Trail of Tears The Cherokees were eventually forced to walk from their homes to Oklahoma through cold and snow with little food. About 4,000 died on the way Black Hawk was an Indian leader who tried to resist. Most of his men were killed and he was turned in by other Indians

The Nullification Crisis One of the major issues during Jackson’s presidency concerned states’ rights, the rights of the states in relation to the power of the federal government Congress had a revenue tariff (a tax to raise money) in place Protective tariff-protected American businesses and manufacturers from foreign competition, but it also raised the price of foreign goods

Webster vs. Hayne South Carolina Senator Robert Y. Hayne defended nullification and states’ rights Senator Daniel Webster of Massachusetts attacked nullification while defending the Constitution and the federal union

A Time of Crisis South Carolina takes the lead and declares the federal tariffs void. They also stated that if the federal government used force on them, they would issue an order of secession (leave the Union) No other state supported South Carolina and the government passed the Compromise of 1833 to make both sides happy

The National Bank Nicholas Biddle- president of the Bank of the United States. His position will lead him into conflict with Andrew Jackson, who hated banks especially ones run by the government

Pet Banks After winning the presidency again, Jackson set out to destroy the National Bank. He did this by putting the government revenue from taxes and land sales into 89 different state banks, or pet banks The country experienced inflation (an increase in the money supply that causes a rise in prices) Jackson requested that the Treasury issue a Specie Circular which required anyone who bought government lands to pay for them in specie (gold or silver coins)

The Election of 1836 Whigs-new political party that formed to overturn Andrew Jackson’s policies Jackson chose his vice president, Martin Van Buren, to run for the Democrats. The Whigs chose several candidates but were unable to defeat the Democrats

Martin Van Buren During his time, 9 states defaulted (did not repay the money they owed) Van Buren suggested an independent treasury system that would not have to use banks Roger B. Taney-judge appointed by Jackson who later became Chief Justice

The Election of 1840 William Henry Harrison ran for the Whigs again. Due in large part to his role in defeating the Indians, Harrison and his running mate, John Tyler, won the election Harrison died 32 days after taking office and John Tyler took over

John Tyler Tyler has arguments with members of his party. The Preemption Act of 1841 allowed squatters (settlers without titles to the land) to buy western lands when they were for sale. Tyler also faced problems with Britain. This was solved with the Webster-Ashburton Treaty which gave some of Maine to Canada. James K. Polk defeated Tyler in the election of 1844 and Tyler became a lame duck president (one who does not have as much support and political power as the president elect