Andrew Jackson Vocabulary

Spoils System: The practice of rewarding supporters with jobs after winning an election. Andrew Jackson was criticized for doing this after winning the Presidential election. Indian Removal Act: A law passed in 1830 under the Jackson administration that forced many Native Americans from their land in Florida and Georgia to settle further west in what is today Oklahoma. Nullification Crisis: An issue faced by Jackson after South Carolina passed the Nullification Act. South Carolina declared the tariff of 1832 illegal. Jackson responded by threatening to bring the army to South Carolina if they continued to ignore federal laws. Trail of Tears: The name given for the route Native Americans were forced to travel because of the Indian Removal Act. During this mass migration of Native Americans, many natives lost their lives. Corrupt Bargain: A deal made between Henry Clay and John Quincy Adams that cost Andrew Jackson the election of Because neither Adams, nor Jackson had won enough electoral votes, Congress was asked to decide the Presidency. Clay agreed to lend support to Adams in exchange for a position in Adams’ cabinet.

King Andrew: The nickname given to Andrew Jackson by critics who believed he was abusing the powers of the presidency. Old Hickory: The nickname given by supporters of Andrew Jackson. He was known as being as tough as hickory. (A type of wood that is very strong) Tariff of Abominations: A tariff passed by Congress in 1828 that called for a greater tax on imported goods. This tariff greatly favored the north and their manufacturing based economy, while hurting the south. Bank War: The idea of Andrew Jackson attempting to destroy the national bank out of his belief that the leaders of the banks were corrupt. He vetoed a bill that would have helped the second national bank to survive causing it to collapse. Kitchen Cabinet: A group of unofficial advisors to Andrew Jackson who met in the kitchen of the White House.