The Age of Jackson Chapters 13-14

Jacksonian Democracy Election of 1824 Jackson received the most popular votes but no one received an electoral college majority. The choice went to the House of Representatives; they elected John Quincy Adams (Pres.) and Clay (VP). Jackson denounces this as a “corrupt bargain”.

Jacksonian Democracy Election of 1828 Those who supported Adams were called National Republicans; Jackson’s followers were called Democratic Republicans. Mudslinging election; Jackson wins and calls it a triumph for the common man.

Jacksonian Democracy Jackson relied on close friends as advisors, known as the “kitchen cabinet.” Jackson favored limited government but strengthened the presidency. Jackson exercised the veto 12 times - more than the six previous presidents combined.

Jackson and the Bank The Second Bank of the US (1816). Jackson and others opposed: Westerners: preferred state and local banks and easier credit. Debtors, who considered the Bank a financial monopoly favoring the wealthy. States rights advocates, who considered the US Bank to be unconstitutional.

Jackson and the Bank Election of 1832: Bank the major issue of the election. Jackson interpreted his victory as a mandate to dismantle the Bank. Federal funds were moved to state-chartered banks. These banks printed inflationary paper currency. The rise of state debt, a proposal to distribute surplus federal funds to states, and speculation in Western land added to the financial crisis.

Tariffs and Nullification Tariff of 1828: Northern states voted for the higher rates. Southern states voted against the bill. Congress passed the “Tariff of Abominations” and President Adams signed it.

Tariffs and Nullification Opposition: Those who supported state sovereignty. Pamphlets said the law was unconstitutional and recommended nullification of the law by the states opposed to it. The vote failed, but shows the idea of nullification and growing sectionalism.

Tariffs and Nullification Webster-Hayne Debate (1830): Argument over public land policies developed into a classic debate between the Massachusetts and South Carolina senators over the nature of the Union.

Tariffs and Nullification Arguments: Robert Hayne (SC) defended state sovereignty and the doctrine of nullification. Daniel Webster (MA) replied that the union was “one and inseparable” and that nullification was treasonable.

Tariffs and Nullification Tariff of 1832: SC convention declared the tariff null and void in that state and threatened secession. Jackson responded that “Disunion by armed force is treason” and threatened to send a military force to enforce tariff collection. Henry Clay has to propose a Compromise Tariff for SC to rescind its nullification. Crisis averted.

Indian Removal Treaties: US signed treaties with Indian tribes, but the treaties were largely ignored in the rush for Western lands. Indian disunity made resistance difficult.

Indian Removal Indian Policy: The Bureau of Indian Affairs was created in 1824 and made part of the Department of the Interior in 1849.

Indian Removal Problems with the Bureau: Agents monopolized Indian trade; economic dependency of the Indians increased. Attempts to Christianize and “socialize” natives were cruel. President Monroe had already urged the removal of Southern tribes to protected lands west of the Mississippi, but tribes refused.

Indian Removal Supreme Court: Chief Marshall ruled in Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831) that the state could not seize lands without the consent of the “domestic dependent nation”, but Georgian and President Jackson both ignored this decision.

Indian Removal Trail of Tears: The Removal Act of 1830 provided for resettlement of tribes to the West. Tribes of Cherokee were forced to make a long trek to Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River.

Shadow of the Owl, by a Cherokee Artist

Map of the trails

Indian Removal Resistance: In the Black Hawk War (1832) IL militia pursued and massacred tribespeople who had attempted to reoccupy their lands. Seminoles fought a guerrilla war from the Florida Everglades until the early 1840s.