The Presidency of Andrew Jackson Tempest and Turmoil in a New Political Order,

Mythology of the Age of Common Man Jackson, and most of his supporters, were uncommon men But Jackson and the political culture in general railed against “artificial distinctions,” especially those created by governmental policy

Jackson’s Stated Principles Small government Retirement of the national debt “rotation in office” “just” policy toward indians States rights—but he’d decide what that meant Judicious tariff Jackson’s election and values was anathema to the old political order: “the reign of King Mob seemed triumphant”—Joseph Story

Jackson’s administration Cabinet was ordinary—designed to give sectional balance Jackson relied on unofficial advisor’s too: the Kitchen Cabinet Cabinet rivalry between Martin Van Buren and John Caldwell Calhoun dominated politics

Van Buren & Calhoun

Eaton Affair Suggests a great deal about Andrew Jackson’s state of mind following Rachel’s death Became a proxy for the Calhoun-Van Buren Feud Suggests a great deal about how polite society viewed gender roles and how these roles were policed

Jackson and Internal Improvements AJ tended to be a strict constructionist— unless he needed to be a loose constructionist Vetoed the Maysville Road Bill—largely to get at Henry Clay Supported other “pork barrel” internal improvements

Nullification Crisis Both a constitutional and sectional debate: protective tariff wasn’t mentioned in Constitution and South and New England are both attempting to build alliances with Western states Almost led to armed conflict Webster-Hayne Debate Jefferson Day Dinner/Florida debacle Final Break with Calhoun Real meaning of failure of SC to nullify Tariff

South Carolina

Indian Removal Most criticized part of AJ’s presidency 1830 Indian Removal Act (land in the “west” in exchange for ancestral lands in the east) Failed to support John Marshall’s ruling that Cherokees had right to land in Georgia Trail of Tears

Indian Removal Map

John Ross

Bank Recharter Controversy AJ didn’t believe Bank was Constitutional and thought it facilitated “Artificial Distinctions” Clay’s supporters made Bank the election issue of 1832—pushed through recharter bill which AJ vetoed AJ won 1832 election AJ removed government money from 2dBUS and placed it in “pet banks” Coupled with distribution scheme and the “specie circular”, AJ’s fiscal policies brought on the Panic of 1837

2dBUS—420 Chestnut St., Philadelphia

Political Legacy of Andrew Jackson 2d Party system emerged by 1836—Jacksonians were “Democrats” and his opponents were “Whigs” Until mid-1840s, Whigs only agreed that they opposed Jacksonians Politicians afterwards got right with Andrew Jackson by portraying themselves as just plain folks Martin Van Buren created national strategy of focusing on local issues and ignoring national issues like slavery

Jackson’s Immediate Legacy: President Martin Van Buren Panic of 1837 Independent Treasury Gag Rule debates 1840 Election—Log Cabins and Hard Cider

William Henry Harrison