Andrew Jackson’s Presidency

1. Andrew Jackson’s Presidency Unit 5, Lesson 1

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

3. Jacksonian Democracy • Jacksonian Democracy: • During Jacksons’ 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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)

7. Jackson vs. South Carolina • South Carolina’s Action: • South Carolina nullified the “Tariff of Abominations” • Jackson’s Reaction: • Furious, Jackson called the action treason and threatened to send warships 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

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