1. The Age of Jackson “Old Hickory”

2. Election of 1824 Jackson won popular vote
No clear majority in electoral college-House to decide
“Corrupt Bargain”-H. Clay swings votes towards JQ Adams
JQ Adams wins-Clay is awarded with a position in govt.-Sec. of State
DR start to fracture (separate interests)-some factions support Adams (National Republicans), others Jackson (Jacksonian Democrats)

3. Jackson elected-1828
Election: National Republicans (federal) vs. Jacksonian Democrats (state)
1st non-traditional president
1st president from a poor family background
Wife died prior of heart attack-lurid attacks vs. her?-devastated him

4. Jacksonian Democracy & Politics of the Common Man
Votes rose sevenfold from …why?
(Under JQ)-religious and property qualifications were eliminated (for all white males)
Improved education
Increase in newspaper circulation
1830s-King Caucus (closed door political party leaders in Congress) was replaced by party nominating conventions: party politicians and voters would gather to nominate the party’s candidate
By 1832, all but S. Carolina allowed voters to choose their electors rather than the state legislature
Popular participation=more democracy

5. Jacksonian Democracy Support from the less-wealthy
Feared power of the federal govt.
Restricted federal activity as much as possible-unless it’s presidential authority

6. Peggy Eaton Affair
Peggy-wife of Jackson’s secretary of war: a target of gossip
Jackson tried to force his cabinet members and their wives to accept her; most resigned, led by his VP John C. Calhoun (new VP=Martin Van Buren)
Reminded him of the attacks vs. Rachel
Kitchen cabinet-his unofficial group of advisors following the purge of his original cabinet

7. Spoils System “To the victors, go the spoils”
Patronage-giving govt. jobs to friends and supporters
Official when Jackson took office
Defense: any intelligent person could be a competent public official
Contributed to his image as the champion of the common man

8. Tariff Crisis
Tariff of 1828/Tariff of Abominations (under JQ)-heavy tax on imports to encourage American manufacturing
Benefitted industrial North; hurt the South (had to pay higher prices for manuf. goods)
S.C. declared the state had the right to nullify the tariff as it was unconstitutional (nullification theory)…John C. Calhoun
Issue festered and was debated at Senate
1832-another tariff was passed that cut rates, but was still high on cloth and iron; S.C. advised the tariff was void and threatened to secede
The defiance enraged the President, he threatened to send troops in to enforce the law (Force Bill)
H. Clay-Compromise Tariff: reduced the import duties and S.C. cancelled the nullification act

9. Indian Relocation
Wealthy plantation owners were buying land for cotton/farming
States began taking control of Indian lands after Jackson took office; Pres. Supported the states
Encouraged the Indian Removal Act: land in parts of the LA. Purchase for lands in the East
Forcibly relocated 5 “civilized” tribes-Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Seminole
Gold was found on Cherokee land (who had adopted white culture more than others)
The state of GA. seized the land, Cherokee sued

10. Indian Relocation-Cont.
1831-Cherokee v. GA: Cherokees are not a foreign nation; S.C. denied hearing the case
1832-Worchester v. GA: originally Worchester lost in GA. , goes to Supreme Court who recognized Indians as a domestic nation: the laws of GA. have no force within the boundaries of the Cherokee territory
Marshall ruled the state of GA. had no authority over the land; Jackson: “Marshall has made his ruling, now let him enforce it.”
Trail of Tears: Cherokee actually not removed until a year after Jackson leaves office, but others were removed during his term (1/4 die)
Chief Osceola and Renegade=Seminole resistance

13. Bank War
Bank was a “monster” institution controlled by a small group of the wealthy
Nicholas Biddle-the bank’s president: arrogant, suspicion he abused powers and represented the wealthy
1832-vetoed the bill to re-charter the bank (would only operate to 1836)
Withdrew federal funds from the bank and put in pet banks around the country
Pet banks printed and lent money recklessly; later forced Jackson to only accept gold or silver for payment of federal lands
Led to panic and depression, loss of jobs & poverty

14. Formation of the Whig Party
Bank’s supporters found Jackson to be a power-hungry tyrant
Led by Clay and Webster, the Bank’s supporters formed a new political party, the Whigs
Whigs: nationalists, broad interpretation of the Constitution, favored the American system of protective tariffs, internal improvements and a national bank
Election of 1832-Whigs nominate Clay, but Jackson wins in a landslide

15. Other
Dubbed “King Andrew I” by National Republicans based on his power
Vetoes more bills (12) than all the vetoes by the prior 6 presidents added together
Frail health-chose not to run for a 3rd term
Democratic donkey often attributed to what individuals referred to Jackson as