Key Tenets of Jacksonian Democracy Belief in the common man Represented the interests of all the people, not just the wealthy planters & merchants Expanded white male suffrage – democratization of American society Nominating conventions replaced legislative caucuses of party leaders Supported patronage (spoils system) – the policy of placing political supporters in office “To the victors belong the spoils”

Jackson & the Bank Jackson distrusted the 2 nd BUS because he thought it was monopolistic 1832 Jackson vetoed a bill to renew the 2 nd BUS charter Commoners supported him; won the 1832 election

Jackson & the Bank After the 1832 election, Jackson set out to kill the bank Withdrew federal funds & re-deposited the money into state “pet banks” Bank Pres. Nicholas Biddle responded by calling in loans owed by state banks Results Led to an increase in the number of state banks that printed their own currency - inflation Pushed the nation toward depression in 1837

Jackson & the Indians Jackson wanted the Five Civilized Tribes in the SW removed to land west of the Mississippi Indian Removal Act 1830 provided funds to purchase Indian land & pay for their resettlement in the west

Jackson & the Indians The Cherokees in N. Georgia tried to challenge the removal order Worcester v. Georgia (1832)– Georgia didn’t have the power to invade Indian land & declared Georgia’s laws against the Indians null & void Jackson refuse to enforce or follow the court’s decision Treaty of New Echota Small group of Cherokees agreed to sell their land Trail of Tears

Jackson & the Indians

The Nullification Crisis In 1828, Congress passed a new tariff Southern planters called it the “Tariff of Abominations” VP John C. Calhoun anonymously published the “South Carolina Exposition & Protest” Wanted the states to nullify the tariff 1830 Hayne (SC)/Webster (Mass.) Debate Argument over who should decide the constitutionality of the laws

The Nullification Crisis 1832 S. Carolina declared the tariff null & void & threatened to secede from the union Jackson would not permit defiance or disunion, so he dispatched the military to SC “…disunion, by armed force, is TREASON.” Asked Congress to pass a “force bill” Result – compromise! Congress passed a lower tariff (1832) S.C. withdrew its nullification Conflict of federal vs. state’s rights remained