1. The Age of Jackson

2. Essential Question
How did political beliefs and events shape Andrew Jackson’s presidency?

3. Disputed Election of 1824

4. 4 candidates – all Republicans John Quincy Adams – New England Henry Clay – West Andrew Jackson – West William Crawford – South

5. The “Corrupt Bargain” No clear winner of election of 1824
Andrew Jackson won popular vote but not majority
House of Representatives has to choose President

6. The “Corrupt Bargain”
Henry Clay urges his supporters to vote for Adams
Adams wins, appoints Clay Sec. of State
Jackson accuses Clay and Adams of corruption

7. John Quincy Adams An unpopular President
Americans are mad about election
Makes it hard for Adams to accomplish anything meaningful as President

8. Election of 1828
Adams vs. Jackson

9. Election of 1828 Bitter campaign Jackson wins
Seen as a victory for the “common man” – farmers in the West and South, & factory workers in the East

10. Jackson in the White House

11. Andrew Jackson Tough fighter Self-made man: Lawyer
War hero – War of 1812 (Battle of New Orleans)
Good leader
“Old Hickory” – tough as the wood of a hickory tree

12. The Spoils System Spoils System Rewarding supporters with gov’t jobs
Jackson fired many gov’t employees and put his supporters in office
Critics claimed these people were unqualified for service
Jackson said he was expanding democracy by letting more citizens participate in gov’t

13. “Kitchen Cabinet” Some supporters were awarded Cabinet posts
Only Martin van Buren was qualified
Instead of meeting with official Cabinet, Jackson would meet with unofficial advisors in White House kitchen (newspaper editors and Democratic leaders)

14. The Bank Wars

15. Essential Question
Why did Andrew Jackson want to close the Bank of the United States?

16. Mr. Biddle’s Bank
Nicholas Biddle was president of the Bank of the United States – great power
Jackson saw Bank as undemocratic
Jackson vetoes bank charter renewal
Said Bank of US unconstitutional and bank helped only the rich
Clay runs against Jackson in 1832 – Jackson wins

17. Bank Closes Government money deposited into state banks
Pet Banks – banks controlled by Sec. of Treasury Roger Taney or his friends
Bank of United States closes in 1836

18. Crisis Over Tariffs 1828 – Congress passes highest tariff
Southerners call it “Tariff of Abomination”
Hurts planters

19. The Nullification Crisis
nullification – states can nullify (cancel) a federal law that is unconstitutional
1832 – Congress passed new tariff that was lower than before
South Carolina threatens to secede (withdrawal from Union) if challenged on nullification

20. Making Connections Based on the following quote, why did Andrew Jackson want to close the Bank of the United States? “When the laws…make the rich richer and the potent more powerful, the humble members of society…who (lack)…the means of securing like favors to themselves, have a right to complain of the injustice of their government”

21. Conflicts Over Land

22. Essential Question
How did Andrew Jackson’s presidency affect Native Americans?

23. Tragedy for Native Americans
White settlers wanted more land from the Indians
1828 – Georgia claimed the right to make laws for Cherokee nation

24. 1832 – Indian Removal Act
Forced many Native Americans to move west of Mississippi River

26. Worcester v. Georgia Cherokee’s went to court to defend rights
Chief Justice John Marshall rules in favor of the Cherokees

27. Trail of Tears 1838 – US Army drives 15,000 Cherokees westward
Little food or shelter
25% casualties

28. The Presidency After Jackson

29. Panic of 1837
1830s – gov’t sold millions of acres of public land in the West
State banks print more paper money – not backed by gold/silver
Paper money couldn’t be exchanged, banks closed

30. Economic Depression Cotton prices drop and the panic worsens
Lasts 3 years – 90% of factories close
Martin Van Buren – takes little action (laissez faire)
Cuts back on government expenses