Jackson’s Administration

Civil Service Reform Civil Service = those branches of public service concerned with all governmental administrative functions outside the armed services Jackson believed in a rotation of civil servants within government – Reduce corruption – Provide democratic opportunity Others argued that Jackson used the positions to reward his friends and campaign supporters Kitchen Cabinet = informal group of advisors which influenced the President's decisions. – Martin Van Buren only true advisor and elected official

Jackson’s Position on Government Favored limited government – Strengthen position of president Federal government should not build infrastructure – Vetoed the Maysville Road Bill Blocked Clay’s American System Used the veto 12 times (more than any other president who thought it should be reserved for unconstitutional actions)

Tariffs Tariffs had been put on many goods to protect American manufacturing from British manufacturing. – Most had been ineffective Tariff of 1828 – Passed by Congress under Adams – Jackson supported – Called the Tariff of Abominations because of its high tax rate on imported goods. North wanted to protect industry South hated because they sold agricultural products to Europe and purchased manufactured goods

Nullification Crisis Tariff of Abominations divided the country VP Calhoun wrote the paper arguing that the states had the power to “nullify” (refuse to obey) any laws passed by congress that they believed to be unjust. – Resigned his position of VP – South believed tariffs were only acceptable if they benefited the entire country

South Carolina led the cause of Nullification – Passed laws preventing the collection of tariffs in their ports – South Carolina threatened succession if the tariff was not changed Jackson responds: – Threatened to send in the military to collect the tariff – Force Bill – Jackson claimed nullification unconstitutional because the Constitution created 1 nation not a group of states

Compromise Tariff Henry Clay 1833 Gradual rate reduction on the tariff over next 10 years South Carolina rescinded its nullification orders and stopped threatening succession

What was the effect of the Nullification Crisis on the union? Where the power is – Are we 1 nation with individual states? – Are we individual states associated into a nation? Sectional Differences – North’s emphasis on Manufacturing – South’s emphasis on Agriculture Aversion of succession

Jackson v. Bank of the United States Jackson hated the Second Bank of the U.S. chartered in 1816 – Its charter needed to be renewed in 1836, but Congress decided to move the approval up noting that many favored having a bank at the time. Congress approved the charter for the Second Bank of the U.S. – Jackson Vetoed it

Jackson opposed the bank because… – Westerners preferred local banks because it gave them easier access to credit – Debtors considered banks to only help the rich – States Rights advocates thought the bank was unconstitutional Major issue in the election of 1832 – Jackson felt his election victory signified an end of the bank – Defeated Henry Clay

Jackson could not get rid of the Second Bank of the United States because it was approved by Congress until 1836 and upheld as constitutional by McCulloch v. Maryland. – Withdrew federal funds – Moved Federal deposits to “pet” state banks that supported the Democrats.

Specie Circular 1836 Jackson ordered all paper money changed to gold and silver for purchase of federal lands Fix problem of inflation especially in the west