The Age of Jackson “Power to the People”

The Making of “Old Hickory” Grew up in poverty in South Carolina Grew up in poverty in South Carolina Moved to Tennessee Moved to Tennessee Lacked formal education Lacked formal education Extremely proud, hot tempered, TOUGH Extremely proud, hot tempered, TOUGH As general led militia forces to success against the British in the War of 1812 at the Battle of New Orleans. As general led militia forces to success against the British in the War of 1812 at the Battle of New Orleans. Determined, fierce Indian fighter Determined, fierce Indian fighter

Andrew Jackson Personal Bright, mean, rugged, shrewd, held grudges Lean, 6’1 140 lbs muscular “Old Hickory” Killed a Charles Dickinson in a 1806 duel over an insult…”Poltroon and a coward…” Carried abscessed bullet in his chest for the remainder of his life. “My reputation is dearer to me than my life.” Strong believer in states’ rights

Political Political “Man of the People”Populist “Man of the People”Populist 1 st Democrat Symbol: Donkey 1 st Democrat Symbol: Donkey Lost a controversial election to John Quincy Adams in 1824 because he was a political outsider Lost a controversial election to John Quincy Adams in 1824 because he was a political outsider Routed Adams in 1828 and served two terms: 1829 – 1837 Routed Adams in 1828 and served two terms: 1829 – 1837 Believed in strong executive power Believed in strong executive power Spoils System: reward supporters with gov’t jobs. Spoils System: reward supporters with gov’t jobs.

Political Enemies Wealthy Eastern Establishment Wealthy Eastern Establishment

1832- WAR AGAINST THE 2ND NATIONAL BANK OF THE U.S. Felt the Bank was unconstitutional and ignored the interests of the common man Felt the Bank was unconstitutional and ignored the interests of the common man Feels Nat’l bank favors N. industry, not rural farmers. Feels Nat’l bank favors N. industry, not rural farmers. Favored State or “pet” banks Favored State or “pet” banks Argued 2 nd U.S. Bank leadership was corrupt Argued 2 nd U.S. Bank leadership was corrupt ( Nicholas Biddle) Referred to the Bank as a “Hydra” Referred to the Bank as a “Hydra” “The bank is trying to kill me, Mr. Van Buren, but I will kill it.” “The bank is trying to kill me, Mr. Van Buren, but I will kill it.”

Jackson’s “Trail of Tears” Felt Native Americans were inferior savages Felt Native Americans were inferior savages Believed Indians were an impediment to western settlement by whites. Believed Indians were an impediment to western settlement by whites. Indian Removal Act: 1830: Cong. law Indian Removal Act: 1830: Cong. law – five “civilized tribes” moved west to OK. – five “civilized tribes” moved west to OK. Ignored the Supreme Court’s ruling in Worcester v. Georgia, forcing relocation of the 5 Civilized Tribes to what would become Oklahoma. Ignored the Supreme Court’s ruling in Worcester v. Georgia, forcing relocation of the 5 Civilized Tribes to what would become Oklahoma. Trail of Tears: K Cherokees forced marched, 4,000+ die Trail of Tears: K Cherokees forced marched, 4,000+ die

“King Andrew I”

Present-day Oklahoma

Jackson’s Legacy Political power extended to more people Political power extended to more people Universal male suffrage Universal male suffrage 1 st president to stand up for the working class 1 st president to stand up for the working class “The people are the sovereign power” “The people are the sovereign power” Centralized banking restructured Centralized banking restructured Increased power of the executive branch Increased power of the executive branch Veto power exercised --“I am an independent power!” Veto power exercised --“I am an independent power!” Patronage system developed Patronage system developed Trail of Tears Trail of Tears

President James K. Polk called him the greatest man of the age President James K. Polk called him the greatest man of the age Retired to his mansion outside of Nashville known as the Hermitage Retired to his mansion outside of Nashville known as the Hermitage

Trivia: Old Hickory was the first target of presidential assassination. The culprit was beaten by Jackson when his gun misfired TWICE Trivia: Old Hickory was the first target of presidential assassination. The culprit was beaten by Jackson when his gun misfired TWICE