Chapter 13 Section 2

 Unlike earlier Presidents, Jackson rarely met with his cabinet. He was more likely to seek advice from his trusted friends, who were said to meet in the White House kitchen. The so-called “kitchen cabinet” actually had little influence. Final decisions were Jackson’s alone.

 Jackson thought that government was too powerful. He set out to change it. He opposed giving government workers lifetime jobs and replaced many of them with his own supporters. Critics called this practice the spoils system.  Spoils system- the practice of rewarding political supporters with jobs

 Jackson soon faced a threat to the Union. In 1828, South Carolina threatened to secede if the Tariff of 1828 was not reduced. In South Carolina, the tariff was called “The Tariff Of Abominations”.  Secede-break away from the Union

 This nullification crisis led a Senate debate about whether a state can nullify a federal law if it thinks it is unconstitutional.  Robert Hayne of South Carolina said yes, the states have sovereignty. Daniel Webster of Massachusetts disagreed.  Sovereignty-power to control one’s own affairs

 South Carolina threatened to secede from the Union, if the Tariff of 1828 was not reduced.  Jackson persuaded Congress to lower the tariff, but South Carolina refused to accept it.

 In 1833, Jackson got Congress to give him the power to force payment of the tariff. This was called the “Force Bill” which gave President Jackson the power to use the army and navy, if needed, to collect the tariff.  Congress also passed a Compromise Tariff the same day. South Carolina accepted the Compromise Tariff,ending the crisis.

Andrew Jackson