Chapter 9 Jacksonian America

Objectives 1. Jackson’s philosophy of government and his impact on the presidency. 2. Jacksonian Democracy 3. Nullification theory of John C. Calhoun, and President Jackson’s reaction to the attempt to put into action. 4. Jackson and the war on the Bank of the United States 5. Democrats and the Whigs

The Rise of Mass Politics All adult white males Gave all voters the right to hold public office Property qualifications were abolished Blacks could not vote anywhere No state allowed women the right to vote No secret ballots

Political Parties Permanent, institutionalized parties were a desirable part of political process that was essential to democracy In the 1830s a fully formed two-party system began to operate at the national level The Anti-Jackson Party were called – Whigs Democrats – the nations oldest party

? What Is He For ? Jackson spoke about the importance of State’s Rights Strongly committed to the Preservation of the Union

Calhoun and Nullification John C. Calhoun (the V.P.) began to assert a dangerous constitutional theory! Nullification South Carolina had become angry over a federal tax that they were ready to consider a drastic remedy Secession

Calhoun Calhoun knew his political future rested with his home state of South Carolina 1. Since the federal government was created by the states 2. The states should be the final arbiter of the Constitutionality of federal laws

Theory of Nullification If a state concluded that Congress passed an unconstitutional law it could: 1. Hold a special convention and declare that the law null and void within the state 2. The law would remain void until ¾ of the states ratified it as an amendment to the Constitution

3. The nullifying state would then have to choose between submitting to the law or seceding from the Union

The Crisis Jackson insisted that nullification was treason Asked Congress for a Force Bill authorizing the president to use military force to enforce acts of Congress South Carolina accepted the tax

Eaton Affair Senator Eaton has having an affair Upon the death of her husband she married Senator Eaton Jackson makes Eaton part of the cabinet Mrs. Calhoun would not include Mrs. Eaton in social affairs Remembering what had happened to his own wife – this was the last straw

Rise of Van Buren Kitchen cabinet John C. Calhoun was to be Jackson’s pick for President Because of the Nullification Crisis and the Eaton Affair Martin Van Buren was picked to be the next President

Removal of the Indians Trail of Tears Supreme Court Cases to weaken the Native tribes

Bank War By law the bank of the US was the only place for the Federal funds Soft-money faction = those who wanted more money in circulation Hard-money faction = those who wanted gold or silver (Jackson supported) In 1832, Congress passed the re-charter of the Bank Jackson Vetoed it The Election of 1832 was over the Bank

Bank Destroyed Jackson decided to remove the government’s deposits from the bank Federal monies were then placed in state banks The Bank died in 1836 The country lost a valuable institution which affected the economy for almost 100 years

Election of 1836 Democrats – Martin Van Buren Whigs – Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, and John C. Calhoun Whiggery – expanding federal power, encouraging industry and commercial development

Economic Panic of 1837

Election of 1840 Log Cabin Campaign Whigs – William Henry Harrison and John Tyler Democrats – Martin Van Buren Harrison Wins Harrison dies one month into office Tyler establishes relations with China

Caroline Affair US v. Britain (Again) American Steamship Caroline to captured and burned by the British – one American is killed Britain refuses to apologize America arrests Alexander McLeod for murder New York defused crisis by acquitting McLeod