1. Jacksonian Democracy
Ch. 6 Sec. 1

2. Jacksonian Democracy Term given to Jackson’s time in office
The belief in the capability & intelligence of average Americans
The majority should rule
Ordinary citizens should play a prominent role in govt.
Strong supporter of the spoils system
Spoils system – appointing people to govt. jobs on the basis of party loyalty and support
He forced out large numbers of govt. employees appoint his own followers

3. A New System
Presidential candidates were decided through the caucus system
Members of the party caucus in Congress would decide who to nominate for president
Restricted access to office mainly to the elite and well connected
Jacksonians replaced it w/ the National Nominating convention
Delegates from states gathered to decide on the party’s presidential nominee
Political power would come from the people rather than from the elite political institutions

4. Tariff Troubles South Carolina’s economy weakening
Many blamed this on US tariffs…
SC had few industries
Purchased many manufactured goods from England
The tariffs had made these goods very costly
1828 – Congress levies a new tariff
Called the Tariff of Abominations
Many SC threatened to secede (leave) the Union

5. Nullification Crisis John C. Calhoun – vice president from SC
Torn b/w his country and his state
Does not support secession  instead put forth the idea of nullification
Anonymously publishes – The South Carolina Exposition and Protest
Argues that states have the right to declare a federal law null (not valid)
States have this right since they had created the federal Union

6. Jackson vs. Calhoun
1832 – Jackson and Congress pass a law to cut tariffs significantly
SC was still not satisfied
November 1832 – SC state convention adopted an ordinance of nullification
Declared the tariffs of 1828 and 1832 to be unconstitutional
Jackson considered the nullification an act of treason
He sent a warship to Charleston

7. Ease the Tension 1833 – Congress passed the Force Bill
Authorized the president to use the military to enforce acts of Congress
Somebody had to ease the tensions b/w country and state
Congress passes a bill to gradually lower the nation’s tariffs until 1842
SC repealed its nullification of the tariff law
The issue is temporarily solved

8. Jackson and Racism Jackson hated Indians
Wanted to move all Indians to the Great Plains
Many b/l the Great Plains was a wasteland and would never be settled
He wanted all Native American influences removed from the US

9. Assimilation Chief John Ross  Leader of the Cherokee Nation 1828-1866
Restore Politcical Unity
Assimilation – to integrate or incorporate into another society

10. Get Rid of Them! 1830 – Indian Removal Act
Provided money for relocating Indians
Most gave in and settled in the West
But not the Cherokee of Georgia
Cherokee of Georgia had adopted white culture, they were assimilated
They hired lawyers to sue the state of GA and fought it to the Supreme Court

11. Worcester vs. Georgia
1832 – Chief Justice John Marshall sides w/ the Indians
He ordered state officials to honor Cherokee property rights
Jackson refused to support the decision of the Supreme Court!

12. Trail of Tears Most of the Cherokees resisted the govt. until 1838
Eventually Jackson’s successor (Van Buren) sent in the army to force the remaining Indians out of their homes
Army marched them to present day Oklahoma  The Trail of Tears
About 4,000 Cherokees (¼ of the Indians on this journey) died of starvation, disease, and exposure on the journey