1. The End of the Jackson Era
Chapter 10, Section 5

2. Jackson and the Bank
In 1836, Andrew Jackson closed the bank of the United States
Jackson referred to the bank as “a monster”.
Jackson believed that the bank only supported the wealthy.
Although his intentions were good, Jackson’s closing of the bank led to future problems.

3. 8th President
Andrew Jackson decided not to run for a third term as president in 1836.
The Democrats selected Martin Van Buren to run for president and in 1837 he wins the election.

4. Martin Van Buren Fun Facts
First president to be born an American.
The only president whose first language was not English. (he spoke Dutch)
His nicknames were “Old Kinderhook”, “Sly Fox”, “Little Magician”, “Little Squirt”

5. The Panic of 1837
Shortly after Van Buren was elected president, the United States went into an economic depression. This was known as The Panic of 1837.
The Panic was directly caused by Jackson’s closing of the national bank
Thousands of businesses were unable to repay bank loans. In turn they had to close. This left many people unemployed.
Farmers struggled to sell their crops, and many began to lose their farms.

6. Log Cabin Campaign
Because of the depression, Martin Van Buren struggle in the next election.
His opponent, William Henry Harrison, named his campaign the “Log Cabin Campaign” because he wanted to appear like an ordinary man, a “man of the people”.

7. “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too!”
William Henry Harrison selected John Tyler, a planter from Virginia, as his running mate and Vice President.
If you recall, William Henry Harrison had been a war hero. He had defeated Tecumseh’s followers at The Battle of Tippecanoe and later killed Tecumseh at The Battle of the Thames.
In the election of 1840 Harrison ran under slogan “Tippecanoe and Tyler too”.

8. The Whigs Come to Power
In 1840, William Henry Harrison (a member of the Whig Party) would be elected as President.
Harrison’s inaugural address lasted for nearly three hours. He spoke in the freezing cold and rain. Unfortunately for Harrison, he died less than one month later of pneumonia.
John Tyler became the first vice-president to gain the presidency because the elected president died in office.
Nicknamed “His Accidency”

9. The Whigs are Removed
Although Tyler had been elected vice president as a Whig, he had once been a Democrat.
Tyler was a strong supporter of states rights and actually vetoed several bills the Whigs wanted passed.
John Tyler’s lack of party loyalty outraged the Whig Party so much they actually expelled Tyler from the party.

10. “The Dark Horse”
Because the Whig Party was so divided, they would lose the Presidential election of 1844.
Democrat James Polk would be elected in 1844.