1. Andrew Jackson and the Growth of American Democracy

2. The Inauguration of Jackson
During the election of 1828 the United States experienced a growth in democracy
Prior to this election only white property owners could vote.
This was first U.S. election where the common people could participate

3. Jackson’s Inauguration 1828

4. The Inauguration of Jackson
He was believed to be the champion of the common people and many thought he would reduce the power of “moneyed interests”.
The elite were not sure that Jackson would be the best person for the presidency – many felt threatened by his policies

6. From the Frontier to the White House…
Jackson grew up in poverty in TN
Jackson was a “self made man” - lawyer, planter, military hero (War of 1812 – Battle of New Orleans), and eventually the 7th president of the United States (1828)
A complete departure from past presidents (Virginia Dynasty)

7. REPUBLICAN PARTY SPLITS
DEMOCRATIC PARTY REPUBLICAN PARTY
farmers, poor, workers wealthy, elite, mostly NE
immigrants
It is important to note that since the Federalist Party died out during the War of 1812, they took over the Republican Party.

8. From the Frontier to the White House
Jackson lost the election of 1824 in the “corrupt bargain” when Henry Clay was accused of trading his support for J.Q. Adams for a job as Sec. of State.
Jackson supporters founded a new Democratic Party to represent the common people. (oldest party in US)

9. Jackson's Approach to Governing
Jackson’s approach to governing was controversial (“spoils system”)
Jackson relied more on his friends in the kitchen cabinet (People called it the kitchen cabinet, because he met w/ friends in the White House Kitchen to talk about Presidential issues.), than he did on the regular cabinet.
Jackson tried to change/reform the government – didn’t believe in professional politicians

10. Jackson’s Approach to Governing
Jackson replaced about 10% of civil servants
Jackson rewarded his followers in the Democratic party with government jobs.
Jackson’s opponents called this the “spoils system,” from the saying “to the victor belong the spoils (rewards) of war.”

11. The Nullification Crisis
Tariffs (import taxes) were a source of unhappiness and hardship in some states (SC) and a source of profit in others (NY)
Southern states suffered, because of tariffs (The south imported cotton cloth from Britain and Britain was upset about higher import taxes)
Citizens of South Carolina were outraged in 1828, when a high tariff was passed because they traded w/ foreign countries (Britain) and this meant a loss of profit

12. The Nullification Crisis
South Carolina believed the national gov. went too far and threatened to secede from the U.S.
John C. Calhoun supported state’s rights and tried to have the tariffs nullified (rejected/canceled) by the state of SC
Jackson threatened to send in federal troops, and the crisis ended.

13. Southern “Aristocracy”
Southern “aristocracy” political cartoon. Referring to South Carolina’s threat of secession from the Union over the Tariff of 1828 (Tariff of Abominations)

14. Jackson Battles the Bank of the U.S.
The Bank of the United States was a controversial institution (power not granted in Constitution, so used elastic clause to establish the bank)
Jackson believed that the Bank served only the rich and that it was harmful to the national economy. He also personally disliked the bank’s president – Nicholas Biddle.
When the time came to renew the bank’s charter, Jackson vetoed and had the money moved into smaller banks throughout the US (“pet banks”)
When Biddle called in loans to the national bank, the money had been removed. This essentially shuts the bank down (because they can’t lend money that isn’t there).

15. Jackson Battles the Bank of the US
Critics accuse Jackson of abusing presidential power (using a presidential veto to override a bill that has been approved by Congress – the bank charter)
Opponents organize a new political party (Whigs) centered around their dislike of Jackson’s policies

17. Jackson’s Indian Policy
Jackson believed that Natives should move west to make room for white settlers – referred to them as the “Indian problem”
Jackson urged Congress to pass the Indian Removal Act of 1830 – forced Native Americans off land they had occupied for centuries on to “reservations”
Even Native Americans like the Cherokees-who adopted white ways, passed a constitution, received a formal education – were forcibly removed.
Even after receiving protection by Supreme Court rulings Cherokee Nation v. Georgia 1831, Worcester v. Georgia 1832)

19. Jackson’s Indian Policy
Some native groups, like those led by chief Black Hawk in Illinois, resisted with weapons.
However, their resistance did not work and they were forced to march in the Trail of Tears ( ) to new Indian Territory in the west.
- Included both Chocktaw and Cherokee tribes- out of
22,000 who were forcibly removed, over 9,000 died
of disease, starvation, abuse
The natives of Florida (known as the Seminoles) were the only group that was successful at resisting removal, primarily because they had the help of runaway slaves.

20. Trail of Tears

21. Age of Jackson worksheet
Cherokee, Chocktaw, Seminole, Creek, Chickasaw
The federal government would provide money in return for forcible movement of tribes to reservations in the west “Indian Territory”. Jackson supported it because he encouraged white settlement in these areas and felt it would be too difficult to protect white settlers if the Native Americans still lived there
The Cherokee nation is a separate community that couldn’t be regulated or governed by Georgia
He refused to enforce it
Because of the misery this caused. Between 25-40% of natives died and were mistreated by the soldiers, subject to disease and starvation and moved to inferior land