Andrew Jackson’s Presidency

Unit 5, Lesson 1

Essential Idea

• Andrew Jackson’s presidency involved “new” democracy, the Nullification Crisis, the Indian Removal Act, and the Bank War.

Jacksonian Democracy• Jacksonian Democracy:• During Jackson’ time, American

democracy included more “common man” involvement and equality

• 1. Universal White Male Suffrage• Gave the “common man” power in

elections• 2. Campaigning/Mudslinging• Candidates began

campaigning/mudslinging to appeal to common people

• 3. Spoils system (patronage)• Jackson awarded government jobs

for political support• This system quickly became corrupt

Jacksonian Democracy• 4. Alexis de Tocqueville• Wrote “Democracy in America,” commenting on the equality he saw between different

classes in America• Limits on Democracy:• Blacks, women, and Native Americans were still not treated equally or given voice in

government

Nullification Crisis• The Nullification Crisis:• “Tariff of Abominations”—

Congress passed a new tariff that South Carolina hated

• South Carolinians threatened to secede, or withdraw, from the United States

• Jackson’s own vice-president, John Calhoun, suggested nullification instead of secession

• Nullification— idea that states can reject federal laws

Webster-Hayne Debates• Webster-Hayne Debates:• Senators debated the issue of nullification in Congress• Senator:• Daniel Webster• Position:• Against nullification—the Union (federal government) comes BEFORE individual states• Senator:• Robert Hayne• Position:• For nullification—the freedom of states comes BEFORE the Union (Calhoun agreed)• Jackson’s position:• Jackson favored states’ rights, but NOT if it broke up the Union (against Calhoun)

Jackson vs. South Carolina• South Carolina’s Action:• South Carolina nullified the “Tariff of

Abominations”• Jackson’s Reaction:• Jackson was furious, called the action

treason, and sent a warship to South Carolina

• Conflict and Compromise:• Henry Clay: • Compromise Tariff of 1833– Clay got

Congress to lower the tariff to satisfy South Carolina

• Force Bill:• Authorized the president to use military to

enforce laws• The Nullification Crisis

Civil War Foreshadowed• Future implications:• In 1860, South

Carolina “nullified” the election of Abraham Lincoln

• South Carolina and other states seceded from the Union

• The Civil War started when President Lincoln used the military to preserve the Union

Indian Removal• Jackson and Native Americans:• Jackson intended to move

Indians out of the eastern United States

• Indian Removal Act—authorized the relocation of Indians to the Great Plains, (west of the Mississippi River)

• Worcester v. Georgia:• Cherokee Indians sued to stay

on their land in Georgia• The Supreme Court ruled in

favor of the CHEROKEE

Indian Removal• Jackson’s reaction:• Jackson IGNORED the

ruling• Trail of Tears:• The Cherokee were

forced to walk 800 miles to Oklahoma

• About 4,000 died from starvation, disease, and cold

• The Trail of Tears

Indian Wars Foreshadowed• Future implications:• Eventually, Americans would also take Indian land in the West• Indians fought back (Indian Wars) but were forced onto

reservations

Election of 1832• Election of 1832:• Democrats—Andrew Jackson• Whigs—Henry Clay• Major Issue:• Whether or not to keep the

BUS• Clay wanted to keep the BUS• Jackson distrusted the BUS and

thought it unconstitutional• Results:• Jackson won easily• Jackson felt he had a

“mandate” from the people to destroy the BUS

The Bank War• The “Monster” Bank:• Jackson took money from the

“monster” bank (BUS), which “killed” the BUS

• “Pet” Banks:• Jackson put the money in state

banks, known as “pet banks”• Constitutional? • McCulloch v. Maryland had

established the BUS as constitutional

• Again, Jackson defied the Supreme Court

Evaluation of Jackson

• Man of the people?• Jackson’s supporters felt

he would do whatever necessary for the people

• Dictator?• Jackson’s critics thought

he acted like a dictator who ignored the Constitution

• Jackson's Legacy

The Panic of 1837• Panic of 1837:• Panic of 1837—this economic recession hit just after Jackson left

office• Some blamed Jackson’s economic policies, like killing the BUS• The Democrats were blamed and lost popularity

Election of 1840• Election of 1840:• Many Americans started to favor the Whig Party• Whig party candidates—William Henry Harrison (hero from Battle of

Tippecanoe) and John Tyler

Appealing to the Common Man• Jacksonian Campaigning:• “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too”—catchy slogan of Whig campaign• “Log Cabin and Hard Cider” campaign—made Whigs look like

common men, appealed to voters

Tyler Becomes President • Results:• Harrison and Tyler won easily• Harrison died a month after the inauguration and Tyler became

president