THE AGE OF JACKSONIAN DEMOCRACY

Andrew Jackson – 7 th President  Jackson was President from  He had lost in 1824 because of the “Corrupt Bargain” between John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay

Jacksonian Democracy  Expands suffrage (right to vote)— all white men over 21 can vote  The common man gains more influence

How did Jackson help the common man?  By 1830s, most states allowed the popular vote to determine who wins their electoral vote  Creates the Spoils System  Loyal supporters get rewarded with government jobs  Bank War  Jackson vetoes the Bank of the US  Says National Bank is unconstitutional  Says it helps the rich at the expense of the common man

Nullification Crisis 1832  South Carolina wanted to nullify (ignore) a new protective tariff  Thought North would benefit from tariff; South would pay higher prices for goods  S.C. also threatens to secede (leave the Union) if tariff is not repealed  Jackson threatens S.C. with force  ends the crisis peacefully  Impact  1. Jackson avoids war 2. South to use secession as a threat to protect their states’ rights

Indian Removal  Jackson wants Indians to move out of the South to allow westward expansion  Open up Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi to settlement (cotton plantations)  This would allow for the expansion of slavery  Creates the Indian Territory (later Oklahoma)

Indian Removal  Indian Removal Act (1830) allows the federal government to make treaties with Indians  They could “exchange” their homelands for lands in Indian Territory (Oklahoma)  1831—Worcester v. Georgia—the Supreme Court said that the states can’t force the Indians to move  Jackson ignores the decision, begins removal of 60,000 Indians  1837  Cherokees forced to march to Indian Territory in winter. Becomes known as the Trail of Tears (4,000 out of 16,000 die along the trail)

Closure  1. Give several examples of how Jackson helped out the average American during his time.  Which action taken by Jackson do you think would be most criticized by historians today?  3. Why do you think some people would say it’s ironic that Jackson is on the $20 bill?