The Rise of Jackson

Warm up Write down one word that you would use to describe the boy below: “At age 13, he joined the Patriots but was captured by the British. When a British officer ordered the young prisoner to clean his boots, the boy refused.”

Andrew Jackson - Background Born in a log cabin on the frontier His parents were immigrants from Ireland They died by the time he was 15 He grew up tough

A Military man Joined American Revolution at age of 13 Creek War Victory – Indian battle during the War of 1812 War of 1812 – Victory at Battle of New Orleans 1818 Seminole Victories – Helped regain Florida

Personal Life Studied Law at North Carolina – Practiced in Tennessee Made money in real estate – Buying and selling in Georgia & Alabama Married Rachel Robards – Recently divorced woman – Controversy surrounding their marriage

Nick names for Jackson “Old Hickory” – Given to him by soldiers he commanded – Meant he was as tough as the wood on a hickory tree “King Jackson” – Given to him by his political opponents – They thought he was trying to take over the country “Sharp Knife” – Given by Native Americans – He was ruthless in dealing with them

Election of 1824 Disputed Election Jackson received the most popular & Electoral votes – Electoral votes split among too many candidates The House of Representatives decides the election – John Quincy Adams elected instead of Jackson Jackson id furious! – Called it a “Corrupt Bargain” – “…there was cheating and corruption and bribery, too.” – His anger damaged Adams efforts as president

Election of 1828 Rematch between Adams and Jackson “Franchise” expanded between elections – Most states dropped property requirements – New (poorer) voters supported Jackson – “Jacksonian Democracy” = Gov’t of the people The election was bitter!! – Rachael Jackson dies of a heart attack – died before he became president – Jackson blamed Adams

Spoils System After the election, Jackson fired many government employees – He hired his supporters A supporter said, “To the victor goes the spoils” – Very few of his supporters were qualified Jackson’s view was that the government was not democratic in its make-up prior to his presidency. It was made up of the sons of the rich class only.

Kitchen Cabinet Jackson hired cabinet officials based on patronage, not if they were qualified. He often met after hours with friends from business, newspapers, etc, and used their advice to guide his decisions. Checks and balances violation!

Controversy Spoils system – using government jobs as rewards Kitchen Cabinet – violates checks and balances Overuse of veto – controlling Congress Ignoring Supreme Court decisions Busting the Bank of the US Stealing Indian lands – Massive killing Threatening to hang John C. Calhoun

Political Split Jackson was very strong willed His presidency caused a division in his political party – Democrats – Whigs

Review Questions 1.Why might you consider Jackson to be a strong-willed person? 2.What was the craziest thing Jackson did that we discussed today? 3.Do you think Jackson had the characteristics of a good or a bad president? Explain.