Age of JacksonU.S. History Chapter 10

Age of JacksonAndrew Jackson’s victory over the British at the Battle of New Orleans brought him national fame before he was elected the 7th President of the U.S.

Increased Suffrage• A large increase in voters

during the election of 1828 was because many states had put an end to property qualifications.• White males were still the

only people who could vote, but they no longer had to own property to do so.

Jackson’s PopularityJackson was popular among American southerners and westerners. He was unpopular among the aristocratic easterners because he was considered to be vulgar and common.

Spoils SystemJackson’s policy of patronage (or the “spoils system”) refers to giving government jobs to those who support the governing party.

Spoils SystemHe supported the spoils system because it would open up jobs in government to average citizens.

Jackson Attacks the BankThe Bank of the United States was a primary issue dividing the political party that concerned Jackson.Jackson believed states should have the power to control the banking system.

Political Parties Two Political parties emerged at this time•Democrats followed Jackson’s belief in increased voting rights, expanding U.S. borders, and hands-off approach to American economy

Political Parties Two Political parties emerged at this time•Whigs were organized by Henry Clay and Daniel Webster to oppose the policies of Andrew Jackson.

Jackson’s InaugurationOn March 4, 1829, a newspaper columnist described the inauguration, “every inch of the platform was crowded, by men, women, and children…cut glass and china had been broken to get to the refreshments.”

Tariffs and States’ RightsThe South’s economy was based on farming. They sold a large portion of their crops to foreign nations. Having few factories, they had to import their manufactured goods. Tariffs on imports made these goods more expensive for southern farmers.

Tariffs and States’ RightsSouthern plantation owners were enraged by tariffs placed on manufactured imports because Britain would respond by reducing the amount of cotton bought from the South.

Tariffs and States’ RightsSoutherners opposed tariffs on imports because they felt the tariffs gave the North an unfair political advantage.

Nullification Crisis of 1832• South Carolina sought to repeal a high tariff to demonstrate its support for states’ rights.• Southerners argued that the tariffs were unconstitutional and states had the power to veto the tariffs.

Calhoun and States’ Rights• John C. Calhoun argued that states could nullify federal laws.•He threatened to take his state of South Carolina out of the Union when Andrew Jackson passed protective tariffs.

Calhoun and States’ Rights

“We, the people of South Carolina assembled in convention in our sovereign capacity…have declared the act of Congress…to alter and amend the several acts imposing duties (tariffs) on imports…to be unconstitutional, and therefore null and void.” -John Calhoun

Jackson’s Response• President Jackson’s position on South Carolina’s claim that they could nullify the Tariff of 1828 was that no state had the right to ignore a law passed by Congress.• “Our federal Union, it must be preserved.”

Jackson’s ResponseIn response to the Nullification Crisis, President Jackson threatened to use force against South Carolina if it did not repeal its nullification policies.

Jackson’s ResponseBecause President Jackson wanted to establish a strong executive branch of government, he was dubbed “King Andrew” in political cartoons.

Worchester v. GeorgiaGeorgia wanted Cherokee land for its valuable mineral deposits.This Supreme Court case declared the Cherokee Nation in Georgia to be “a distinct community, occupying its own territory” in which the “laws of Georgia can have no force.”

Indian Removal ActIn 1830, President Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act, causing the forced removal of Native Americans from their lands to reservations west of the Mississippi River to what is now Oklahoma.

Trail of TearsNative Americans wanted to stay on their tribal lands, but federal troops forced out all who refused to move willingly. Thousands were forced on the journey west, named the Trail of Tears.

Good Luck on Your Test!