Chapter 11 – The Jacksonian Era To what extent did Andrew Jackson’s election initiate a new era in American politics? What was Jackson’s attitude toward federal involvement in the economy? How did Jackson respond to the nullification controversy? What happened to the Indians living east of the Mississippi Rover by 1840? Why did a new party system of Democrats and Whigs emerge?

President Andrew Jackson Did President Jackson shape his times or did the times shape Jackson and his presidency?

Jacksonian Democracy Tindall – Page 476 Andrew Jackson’s America was very different from the America of 1776. Most white men had gained the vote when states removed property qualifications for voting. The Jacksonians sought to democratize economic opportunity; thus politics changed with the advent of national conventions, at which party leaders chose their party’s candidates and platforms. Powerful elites remained in charge of society and politics, however.

Jackson wanted to lower taxes and reduce government spending. Jacksonian Policies Tindall – Page 476 Jackson wanted to lower taxes and reduce government spending. He vetoed bills to use federal funds for improvements, and his belief that banks were run by corrupt businessmen for their own ends led him to veto a bill for the chartering of the Second Bank of the United States.

Nullification Controversy Tindall – Page 476 When a South Carolina convention nullified the Tariffs of 1828 and 1832, Jackson requested that Congress pass a “force bill” authorizing the army to compel compliance with the tariffs. After South Carolina accepted a compromise tariff put forth by Henry Clay, the state convention nullified the force bill. Nullification, an extreme states’ rights ideology, had been put into action. The crisis was over, but both sides claimed victory.

Indian Removal Act of 1830 Tindall – Page 476 The Indian Removal Act of 1830 authorized the relocation of eastern Indians to federal lands west of the Mississippi River. The Cherokees used the federal court system to try to block this relocation, but despite the Supreme Court’s decision in their favor, federal troops forced them to move; the event and the route they took came to be known as he Trail of Tears. By 1840 only a few Seminoles and Cherokees remained, hiding in remote areas of the Southeast.

Democrats and Whigs Tindall – Page 476 Jackson’s arrogant behavior, especially his use of the veto, led many to regard him as “King Andrew.” Groups who opposed him coalesced into a new party, known as the Whigs, thus forming the country’s second party system. The panic of 1837, during Martin Van Buren’s administration, ensured Whig victory in the election of 1840 despite the party’s lack of a coherent political program.

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President Mnemonic Devices Would a jolly man make a jolly visitor help to prepare the feast? Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, JQ Adams, Jackson, Van Buren, Harrison, Tyler, Polk, Taylor, Fillmore Song 1 Song 2

Jacksonian Democracy Margaret Bayard Smith According to this account, can we characterize Andrew Jackson as the “People’s President?”