Floride Calhoun John C. Calhoun John Eaton Peggy Eaton

Andrew Jackson’s Cabinet-1st Democratic President>Jackson rewarded many supporters with government positions (spoils system)>John Eaton was named his Secretary of War>John had recently married a widow, Peggy, the rumor was that they’d had an affair prior to her husband’s recent and suspicious death. >The other wives, led by Floride Calhoun, refused to associate with the Eatons and many cabinet members resigned including John Eaton >Jackson supported the Eatons and John became a member of his “kitchen cabinet”

The Petticoat Affair

Indian Removal Acts>The Cherokee of Georgia had assimilated –farming, business, language…>Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole were forced west of the Mississippi>Worcester v. Cherokee said that the Cherokee could remain on their land >Jackson responds “John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it”>Trail of Tears as Native Americans are forced to walk 100’s of miles to Oklahoma and 1000’s die along the way of disease, starvation, and exposure

Bank Charter Renewal>Henry Clay (Whig) brought the renewal of the bank charter to congress early >Nicholas Biddle helped to push it through congress>They knew A.J. would veto it, and hoped it would hurt Jackson re-election in 1832 (it didn’t, he still won)

The Nullification Crisis>South Carolina (led by John C. Calhoun) claims the right to nullify tariffs>Calhoun quits his job as vice president and returns to South Carolina>Calhoun expected Jackson, as a Democrat, to support states’ rights >Jackson threatens South Carolina with military action if they secede>They compromise, lower tariff and no nullification

Martin Van Buren (Democrat)>When John C. Calhoun resigned, Martin Van Buren became Jackson’s Vice President>Van Buren had supported the Eaton’s in in the “Petticoat Affair”>He was elected President in 1836 (vice to a popular president)>When he took office, The Panic of 1837 took place, caused by a decline in demand for cotton, cotton farmers couldn’t repay their loans and the Bank of the United States wasn’t there to help stabilize the economy, Van Buren was blamed

Election of 1840>William Henry Harrison-Governor of the Indiana Territory, defeated Tecumseh’s confederation at Prophetstown in the Battle of Tippecanoe>Whig-born in Virginia but launches a log cabin campaign >“Tippecanoe and Tyler Too” is his campaign slogan, war hero >Uses Democrat Andrew Jackson’s image to run his own campaign

>After campaigning with the tough guy image, he gave his inaugural address in the rain and caught pneumonia. >He died less than a month into his Presidency>He was succeded by his Vice President, John Tyler (Whig)