1. The Jacksonian Era
American History

2. Election of 1824 John Quincy Adams vs. Andrew Jackson
Jackson wins popular vote
No majority in electoral college
Clay swings House to elect Adams
“corrupt bargain” – Clay appointed secretary of state

4. Expansion of Democracy
Formed Democratic-Republican party
Anti-elitist
Eased voting requirements

5. Appeal to the “common man”
Portrayed himself as a man of humble origins
“Old Hickory”
Former war hero

6. Inauguration of Jackson - 1829
The President’s Levee, or All Creation Going to the White House – Robert Cruikshank

7. Spoils System “To the victor belong the spoils of the enemy.”
Common people – participate in govt.
Fired 10% of federal workers
Replaced them with “friends” of Jackson for 4 year terms

8. Spoils System Questions
Can you think of any modern day examples of the spoils system?
Evaluate the spoils system. Is it ever appropriate for political office? Other jobs?

9. Indian Removal Act Options: Assimilation Allow them to remain Removal
Indian Removal Act of enabled the government to make (or in Jackson’s mind – force) treaties with natives that would involve relocating west in exchange for keeping their identity/customs

10. Worcester v. Georgia
Supreme court recognized the Cherokee Nation as a distinct political community whose people Georgia was not entitled to regulate by law and whose lands Georgia was not entitled to invade.
“John Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it.” – Andrew Jackson

11. Trail of Tears 800 mi forced march 4000+ Cherokee died
Govt officials stole money and outlaws stole livestock

13. Tariff of Abominations (1828)
Increased tariff to protect infant American industries
Reduced British exports to US  Britain bought less cotton
South forced to buy more expensive Northern manufactured goods
North getting rich at the expense of the South

14. Questions
What is a tariff?
Why are they used?

15. Nullification Theory Where have we seen Nullification theory before?
John C. Calhoun of South Carolina – Jackson’s Vice President
questioned the legality of applying some federal laws in sovereign states
Sovereign states should have the right to determine if act of congress is constitutional
Where have we seen Nullification theory before?
A: VA + KY Resolutions

16. Nullification Theory (cont.)
Daniel Webster (Ma) & Robert Hayne (SC) debate states’ rights in Senate
Was the Union the creation of the states or the people?
Jackson: “Our Union: it must be preserved”
Calhoun: “The Union, next to our liberty, most dear”

17. South Carolina and the tariff
SC declares tariffs of 1828 and 1832 “null and void”
Threaten to secede if customs officials tried to collect duties
Jackson declares actions treasonous and threatens to hang Calhoun and invade SC
Force Bill – Jackson could use army and navy against SC if state auth. resisted payment
Great Compromise - Henry Clay stopped an inevitable military conflict with a compromise to gradually reduce the tariffs

18. Jackson and Slavery Abolitionist Pleas and Petitions
Nullifiers linked this to tariff as sectional oppression
Not a moral issue  only political
Gag Rule – kept abolitionist petitions out of Congress
Jackson approved interception of anti-slavery mail in the South

19. Attacking the National Bank
Jackson vetoed the bill to recharter the Bank of the United States (BUS)
Why?
He had lost money in financial speculations
Saw the bank as an agent of the wealthy
Threat to American Democracy
Nicholas Biddle, bank president, extended loans to congressmen at much lower rates than the average citizen

20. Pet Banks
“The bank, Mr. Van Buren, is trying to kill me, but I will kill it” – Andrew Jackson
Pressured secretary of the treasury to withdraw all govt. deposits from BUS and place them in state (“pet”) banks
1836 – charter expired
1841 – BUS closed its doors

21. What is the overall comment of the cartoon?
Who would support this view of Andrew Jackson?
What do they cite as evidence for this portrayal?

22. Consequences of the Bank
Established New York as new financial capital
Jackson’s tactics and policies angered some in his own party
Whig Party (1834) – formed by Henry Clay and Daniel Webster
Opposed to an excessively powerful chief executive

23. Changing the Face of Politics
Jackson
Predecessors
1. aggressive
2. less experienced
3. less educated
4. common
5. westerner/frontiersman
1. passive
2. college educated
3. elite
4. easterners/ polished/sophisticated

24. Jackson’s Legacy Elections - Popularity contest Panic of 1837
Legacy of two parties
Average citizen became more politically aware and involved

25. In Case you Just Woke Up