Andrew Jackson and the Presidency

                                          

Jackson is elected President in 1828 He defeated John Quincy Adams by with over 55% of the vote. Major Support: West, South, Immigrants, & Small Bus. Owners.

Jackson opposed members of Congress that he said looked out only for special interests. He opposed Marshall, too powerful. He was in favor of state’s rights and will of people – democracy. He named advisors from all over the country, kitchen cabinet. He favored “laissez-faire” policies. He wanted to move the country back toward the “simplicity” of Jefferson.

“Jacksonian Democracy” During the colonial and federal period, the power rested in a few, Jackson tried to change that. The Kitchen Cabinet: He paid little attention to cabinet – politicians. Only there for themselves He relied on friends around the country who were closer to the people. Supported Rotation in Office: Democracy would be better if people served only for a short period of time. In reality he changed less then 10% of the federal employees. HYPE!

He pushed to extended voting rights to more “white people”. He advocated throwing out the property requirements within the states. Jackson supported an amendment for popular election of Senators. Pushed to have presidential electors chosen by popular vote rather then by state legislatures. All was not so rosy – as we will see later on.

Some of Jackson’s Policies Jackson tried to fill Western Lands by selling it cheaply. Alienated Big Business because was losing work force. Led to Webster-Hayne Debates, one of the most famous in US History. Refused to allow anti-slavery literature to be sent through the mail. He ignored the Supreme Court and forced the Cherokee Tribes to be moved to the west of the Mississippi River. Jackson owned slaves and advocated for the extension of it.

Veto of Maysville Road Henry Clay was VP. Remember the election of 1824. What happened? Clay pushed for the construction of Maysville Road in Kentucky. Clay “Pet Project” Jackson: Why build a road to only help out a few states? This move ended any “cordialness” between President and VP. Alienated many of Jackson’s Western Supporters.

The Nullification Crisis Jackson wanted to the eliminate the federal debt. Jackson’s View: Tariff for short term to pay off debt, but it would be repealed after the debt is paid off. Debate: Use of Tariffs to pay off the debt? North supported the Tariffs – protected merchants. South opposed the Tariffs – higher prices on equipment and loss of profits.

Southerners, mainly South Carolina, argued the nation could not force a tariff on states that did not want it. If the gov. could place Tariffs on states, what could an anti-slavery president do? VP Calhoun, publishes a document that states nullification is allowed under the Constitution. NULLIFICATION: States had the power over the Constitutionality of laws, not supreme court. If one state said a law is unconstitutional, then Congress must repeal the law. The federal government would need to amend the Constitution.

Daniel Webster, Senator from Mass Daniel Webster, Senator from Mass., argues that nullification is the same as treason. Senator Haynes, Senator from SC, pushes for the West to join the fight with SC. Most of Congress speaks out against nullification. Jackson, seeing the power play by VP Calhoun, fires most of his supporters within the government. Congress passes Tariff of 1832. Calhoun resigns from office and gets appointed to the US Senate from SC.

President Jackson sends warships to Charleston Harbor and threatens to hang Calhoun for treason. SC calls a state convention and declares the Tariff of 1832 invalid and refuses to collect it. Congress introduces a “force bill” to force SC to pay with force. Henry Clay offers compromise: Tariffs would be reduced over a period of nine years.

The National Bank Veto Jackson opposed the National Bank. He argued that it put way to much power into the hands of a few people. The First National Bank, was up for renewal, in 1836. Henry Clay and Nicholas Biddle (Pres. of bank) worked to get the bank renewed, a few years early = campaign issue. Jackson Veto’s the bill. Clay = Jackson’s irresponsibility. Jackson won re-election and stopped funding the bank.