Jackson’s America

1. Jackson’s America A different kind of President

2. Voting Requirements in the Early 19c

3. Self-Made Man • Became hero after the Battle of New Orleans that was fought 2 weeks after War of 1812 ended. • Jackson supporters founded Democratic Party to represent common people • Grew up in poverty and became President in 1828.

4. Jackson’s Faith in the “Common Man” • Intense distrust of Eastern“establishment,” monopolies, & special privilege. • His heart & soul was with the“plain folk.” • Belief that the common man was capable of uncommon achievements.

5. The Age of Jackson • He had won the popular and electoral vote BUT not by a majority so Congress selected the winner ( Adams) • His supporters felt like he was robbed and called this “Corrupt Bargain” • Some people feel like his presidency began at this point

6. Results of the 1824 Election A “Corrupt Bargain?”

7. Increased Democratization • States had eased voting requirements, enlarging the voting population and allowing common people to vote for the first time • Andrew Jackson succeeded John Quincy Adams as President in 1828. • Fewer state had property qualifications. • In 1828, Jackson’s election was the result of over 1 million citizens voting in the election.

8. Jackson appealed to the Common Man • Democracy = Rule by the People • Before this time only the rich and well-born could vote

9. Events during the Age of Jackson Spoils system = Jackson’s administration utilized this system “To the victor belong the spoils of the enemy” This basically means if you are in charge you can put people in office ( rather than the elite just because they are the elite) Examples of how he does this: • Incoming officials throw out former appointees and replace them with their own friends. • Kitchen Cabinet = He relied more on friends than a regular cabinet for advice • He replaces government workers (civil servants)

10. What is a Tariff? • How does a protective tariff impact an economy?

11. 1828 -->“Tariff of Abomination”( do you know this word?) • Jackson’s vice-president John C. Calhoun of South Carolina called the 1828 tariff a Tariff of Abominations. As an agriculture region, the tariff for South to buy more expensive Northern goods. • Calhoun argued: If the federal government refused to permit a state to nullify a federal law, the state had the right to withdraw from the Union.

12. 1832 --> new tariff • Jackson agrees to “lowers it” BUT

13. More nullification crisis • South Carolina’s reaction? • Jackson’s response?

14. The Nullification Crisis contiued • The tariff issue was eventually solved by Henry Clay’s compromise • The issue involved a state’s rights to violate the Constitution which would eventually lead to the Civil War

15. 1832 Tariff Conflict • 1828 -->“Tariff of Abomination”( do you know this word?) • 1832 --> new tariff • South Carolina’s reaction? • Jackson’s response?

16. The “Monster” Is Destroyed! • “pet banks”? • 1832  Jackson vetoed the extension of the 2nd National Bank of the United States. • 1836  the charter expired. • 1841  the bank went bankrupt!

17. The Downfall of “Mother Bank”

18. Bank of the United States • Bank of U.S. was controversial (WHY) • Jackson thought it only served the rich, not farmers • Bank Director was Nicholas Biddle represented everything Jackson hated, he was rich and well born • The government had large deposits in the bank. • Henry Clay tried to defeat Jackson in 1832 over bank. Jackson defeated Clay and killed the bank

19. Indian Removal Act of 1830 • Since the 1600s, two views of Indians were held by white settlers: 1) Displacement 2) Wished to convert Native Americans to Christianity and absorb them into white culture. Andrew Jackson favored displacement and thought that assimilation could not work

20. Indian Removal Act • In 1830, Congress passed Indian Removal Act. • Under this law, the federal government provided funds to negotiate treaties that would force Native Americans to move west. • About 90 treaties signed, He began a policy of forcing Indians to move west.