The Jackson Era1829-1837

First, a JQA flyby

John Quincy Adams (1825-1829) “The Corrupt Bargain”

Henry Clay

Adams lost to Jackson after one term.

JQA

Jacksonian Democracy

National Convention Instead of members of Congress choosing

Presidential candidates (caucus system), national nominating conventions began – opening up the process to common citizens

Secret Ballot Early forms of today’s secret ballots began

under Jackson’s presidency

Jacksonian Democracy

No property requirement: By the mid 1820’s, most states had eliminated

the ownership of property as a requirement for voting, many more Americans could then participate

Spoils System: “To the victor go the spoils” Jackson supported the idea of appointing loyal

party supporters to officeVeto power:

Jackson used the checks and balances power to veto more than all previous Presidents combined

The Bank War

The Bank War

Background: Most Southern and Western states opposed the idea of

a National Bank. Jackson felt he had a responsibility to the people to bring and end to it.

What Happened: When the issue came up to extend the provisions of the

national bank for another 20 years, Jackson vetoed it and pulled all the federal money from it

Wildcat Banks – Jackson took deposits from the Bank of the US and put them in state banks – thus killing the Bank of the United States

The Nullification Crisis

A battle of a state’s right to not obey a federal law

Tariff of 1828:

A tariff was placed on all imports into the country This caused an increase in the price of manufactured

products States hurt most by this called it the “Tariff of

Abominations” (South Carolina)

The Nullification Crisis

States’ Rights Argument

Led by John C. Calhoun South Carolina argued that a state had the right

to “nullify” (ignore) any federal law that they saw as unconstitutional

They said that since they originally agreed to form a nation, they also then had the right to break away or ignore the nation’s laws

The Nullification Crisis

Force Bill Congress gave Jackson the power to use any

means necessary to force South Carolina to pay the tariff

Resolution Jackson eventually lowered the amount of the

tariff South Carolina withdrew it’s nullification

Indian Removal Act

In the 1830’s, President Jackson began the forced movement of native populations to the Great Plains area.

Worchester v. Georgia – the Cherokee went to the Supreme Court in order to prevent the state of Georgia from taking their land. They won the case, but Presidents Jackson and Van Buren ignored the ruling

Trail of Tears (1838)

Cherokee Nation wins Worcester case but Jackson orders them removed anyway

Cherokee are marched nearly 1,000 miles from GA to Oklahoma

¼ die along the way

Trail of Tears

Recap

Would you campaign for or against a third term for Andrew Jackson?

“Old Hickory” vs. “King Andrew I” 1) Classify as positive or negative each of

Jackson’s actions as president. Explain your reasoning. Lots of popular support in most open election to date

justified his decisions Spoils system Veto-happy

Destroyed national bank Handling of nullification crisis Indian Removal Act and Trail of Tears

2) Compose a campaign slogan either for or against Jackson.