Chapter 12 Sections 2 “Jackson: Good guy and Bad guy”

Vocabulary Spoils system – practice of rewarding supporters with government jobs “kitchen Cabinet” – group of unofficial advisors who met with Andrew Jackson in the White House kitchen

Andrew Jackson Background Andrew Jackson was born to poor Irish immigrants. At the age of 13, he joined the American Revolution. Jackson studied to become a lawyer. He moved to Tennessee and was elected to Congress. He had a bad temper.

Review Why was Andrew Jackson known as a self made man?

The Spoils System Jackson dismissed more than 200 previous presidential appointees and replaced them with people who had helped get him elected. This became known as the spoils system. Many criticized Jackson, but Jackson said that he was replacing all these people to protect the country from being overtaken by rich, corrupt men. He felt that ordinary Americans could fill government Jobs. The spoils system continues today. Bush filled over 1000 positions with people who had helped him get elected.

Kitchen Cabinet Andrew Jackson chose unqualified people to fill his cabinet positions. When they proved to be incompetent (gave bad advise), he formed a 2 nd group of advisers that met in the White House Kitchen. What was I thinking?.... Oh yeah, that I could run the entire country by myself!!!

Review What is the spoils system? Who did Andrew Jackson give jobs to and why? Why did people criticize Jackson for using the spoils system?

The Bank of the United States Jackson hated the bank of the United States and saw it as unconstitutional. He also thought that the bank helped the rich get richer at the expense of the everyday working man. Jackson passed legislation that closed the bank. Many Americans applauded this action. It’s closing in 1836, though, did contribute to a bit of an economic crisis.

Review Why did Jackson veto the bill to extend the charter of the Bank of the United States?

States’ Rights The south was still mad about the protective tariff that had been put on all imports. Then, Jackson raised the tax. The south came to call it the Tariff of Abomination. Andrew Jackson’s vice president John C. Calhoun disagreed so much with the tariff that he resigned his position. Calhoun then spent his time fighting Jackson over the issue. Things got so bad that states were refusing to pay the tariff, and some were threatening to leave the union. Jackson lowered the tariff, but made it clear that if the south continued to resist payment of the tariff, he would bring in the army. The south backed down, but tensions were definitely growing between the north and south.