Age of Jackson7 pages…

James Monroe

1817-1825

He is still president…

U.S. Territory The United States in 1819 (the light orange and light green areas were not then U.S. territory). The Missouri Compromise prohibited slavery in the unorganized territory of the Great Plains (dark green) and permitted it in Missouri (yellow) and the Arkansas Territory (lower blue area).

The question of slavery• Many Northerners opposed slavery, some

on moral grounds, others on political grounds• The Constitution allowed slaves to be

counted 3/5 when determining how many representatives the Southern states could have in Congress• Many of the Southern states had more

representatives due to this.

Missouri Compromise 1820• A major conflict arose when Congress considered the

application of Missouri to the Union• At the time the Union consisted of 11 free states and 11

slaves states.• The House proposed that Missouri was accepted as a

slave state with certain restrictions:• Importing slaves into Missouri would become illegal.• All children of Missouri slaves would be set free when

they reached 25.• This proposal angered Southern politicians.

Missouri Compromise 1820

• Congress was almost torn in two by opinions over slavery.

• To settle this dispute Henry Clay helped Congress reach the Missouri Compromise:

• Missouri would enter the Union as a slave state.

• Maine would join the Union as a free state.• Slavery would be prohibited in any new

territories or states formed north of 36 degrees 30’ latitude (Missouri’s southern border)

Missouri Compromise

Impact of Slavery on Different Sections of the U.S.

• North –• Illegal since the Revolution• Abolitionist societies and newspapers and Underground

Railroad• Many were ambivalent to the plight of slaves/free blacks• South – • Economic factor – Slaves viewed as property and labor

supply• Needed to maintain the Southern way of life• Considered a state’s right issue• West – • Fight over whether or not to extend slavery into territories• Maintain balance of free vs. slave state in senate.

John Quincy Adams 6th President 1825-1829

John Quincy Adams• The election of 1824 – Henry Clay ran against John

Quincy Adams. • Henry Clay lost the election but threw his electoral

college votes to John Quincy Adams who made him Secretary of State.

• Democrats called this a “corrupt bargain” • He was not very popular partially due to this act.• Many people who backed John Quincy Adams began

calling themselves National Republicans. • In the election of 1828 – John Quincy Adams (National

Republican) ran against Andrew Jackson (Democrat).

Age of Jackson

• Voting rights began to expand. Many more Americans were gaining the right to vote. This became known as Jacksonian Democracy named after the popular politician.

• Removed property requirements for voting, allowing many more white men to vote.

• Newly formed Democratic Party – wanted to make sure Jackson got voted President

Democratic Party History• Started off as Anti-Federalists factions opposed to

Alexander Hamilton’s economic policies.• Thomas Jefferson and James Madison organized these

factions into the Democratic-Republican Party• The party favored states’ rights and a strict interpretation

of the Constitution.• Democratic-Republicans split over the successor to

James Monroe.• The party that supported many of the Jeffersonian

principles became known as the Democratic Party – led by Andrew Jackson

AndrewJackson7th President1829-1837Democrat

Jackson was a military hero. He was the first president to have a humble background (not upper-class society member, elite)

Impact of the Election of Andrew Jackson (8.5F)

• Andrew Jackson’s election signaled a shift in power to the common man.

• This expanded suffrage rights.• His views left a legacy to the modern Democratic Party• Government by the people• One of the first challenges President Jackson faces was

conflict over tariffs.

“Kitchen Cabinet”• Most of Jackson’s Cabinet members resigned after a

scandal involving a Senator and his new wife. • Jackson had been in support of the marriage.

• He appointed new Cabinet members full of long-time political allies and close friends.

• The “Kitchen Cabinet” refers to a group of trusted friends and colleagues.

• This was used for many future presidents.

The argument continues…• Protective Tariffs – • During the Jackson administration, a tariff debate

continued to develop• Congress endorsed high tariffs on any goods

manufactured in Europe• Many Americans welcomed these protective

tariffs, especially in the Northeastern states where industry thrived.

• Tariffs encouraged Americans to buy cheaper American-made goods.

The argument continues…• Southerners were in disagreement with the tariffs

because Americans would not have to pay higher prices for goods manufactured in the U.S.

• Southerners imported most of their manufactured goods. Their economy depended on foreign trade.

• Under strong pressure from Northern states Congress passed a tariff with very high rates.

• Southern states called the law the Tariff of Abominations

Nullification Crisis• Revolved around the ability of a state to declare federal laws

unconstitutional• In 1828 the Tariff of Abominations was passed resulting in a

higher tariff.• In 1832 a lower tariff was passed but this angered South

Carolina• Led by Vice President John C. Calhoun• He resigned from his Vice Presidency to support his home

state• Martin Van Buren became the new Vice President

John C. Calhoun

Nullification Crisis

• South Carolina declared the federal tariff null and void within its borders

• Delegates to a special convention urged the state legislatures to take military action and secede from the union if the federal government demanded the customs duties.

• To prevent civil war, Henry Clay, with John C. Calhoun proposed the Compromise Tariff of 1833

• Government lowered tariffs and backed down.• Significance of the time – federal taxes on

imports cannot be imposed if the state considers the action unconstitutional.

McCulloch v. Maryland• Issue • Maryland wanted to tax its branch of the national bank• Maryland wanted a tax on all bank notes not drafted in

Maryland• Decision• States cannot claim to have power over the federal

government

McCullough v. Maryland• Significance • Federal government is upheld as

the supreme law of the land• This case meant Maryland could

not tax or interfere with the bank.• States did not have rights to

collect taxes from federal institutions.

John Marshall

Banking system • The Bank of the United States was extremely

powerful and it controlled the nation’s money supply.• Jackson viewed this bank as a bank made up of

elitists run by private wealthy bankers. He thought it had too much power and favored the wealthy.

• When Jackson was given the option to sign a renewed charter bank bill, he decided to veto it instead.

• Congress could not get 2/3 vote to override the Presidential veto.

• Political cartoon showing Andrew Jackson destroying the National Bank.

Cherokee Indians

Reasons for the Removal and Resettlement of Cherokee Indians

• Early in the 19th Century, while the rapidly-growing U.S. expanded into the lower South, white settlers faced what they considered an obstacle.

• This area was home to Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Seminole nations.

• These Indian nations, in the view of the settlers and many other white Americans, were standing in the way of “progress”.

• Eager for land to raise cotton, the settlers pressured the federal government to acquire Indian territory

Reasons for the Removal and Resettlement of Cherokee Indians• Policies – • Federal - Native Americans could occupy U.S. lands but

they couldn’t hold title to that land. (Supreme Court ruling in 1823)

• Under pressure from Jackson, Congress passed the Indian Removal Act

• Removed Indians east of the Mississippi river (forced to relocate)

• Congress established Indian Territory – most of Oklahoma• Congress approved the creation of the Bureau of Indian

Affairs – to oversee federal policy toward the Indians

Indian Removal Act –

• Gave the president power to negotiate removal treaties.

• Under these treaties, the Indians were to give up their lands east of the Mississippi in exchange for lands to the west.

• The removal was supposed to be “voluntary and peaceful”. It was that way for tribes that agreed to the conditions.

Indian Removal Act

• This was supposed to avoid conflict between white settlers and southeastern American Indian tribes

• Cotton farmers needed more land• It was also supposed to “protect” American Indian

governments and cultures

Worcester v. Georgia• In response to the Indian Removal Act, the

Cherokee asked the Supreme Court to protect their rights

• Georgia saw Native Americans as tenants living on the land

• The Cherokee used legal means in their attempt to safeguard their rights.

• They sought protection from land-hungry white settlers.

• The Cherokee adopted a written constitution declaring to be a sovereign nation.

Worcester v. Georgia

• They based this on U.S. policy; in former treaties, Indian nations had been declared sovereign so they would be legally capable of ceding their lands.

• The state of Georgia, however, did not recognize their sovereign status, but saw them as tenants living on state land.

• The Cherokee took their case to the Supreme Court, which ruled in their favor.

• Andrew Jackson and John Marshall conflicted in the decision

• Clash between presidency and the Supreme Court

Worcester v. Georgia• Presidential Response to the case- The Court ruled in favor

of Worcester. • The U.S. government and not the state of Georgia had the

authority to make treaties or any type of regulations with Native Americans.

• President Andrew Jackson responded by enforcing the Indian Removal Act. He ignored the Supreme Court decision.

• He also responded by siding with Georgia and chose not to enforce the Supreme Court ruling.

• Presidency vs. Supreme Court – Separation of powers is overlooked.

Trail of Tears

Trail of Tears • In 1836, the Cherokee were given two years to migrate

“voluntarily”, at the end of which time they would be forcibly removed.

• By 1838 only 2,000 had migrated• 16,000 remained on their land.• The U.S. government sent in 7,000 troops, who forced the

Cherokees into stockades at bayonet point.• They were not allowed time to gather their belongings, and as they

left, whites looted their homes.• Then began the march known as the Trail of Tears, in which 4,000

Cherokee people died of cold, hunger, and disease on their way to western lands.

Trail of Tears

Election of 1836• Jackson’s actions during his presidency had angered

members of Congress.• A group of Jackson opponents formed the Whig Party.• Martin Van Buren was the presidential candidate for the

Democratic Party.• He won the election.

Martin Van Buren 8th President 1837-1841Democrat

Points of View of Political Parties and Interest Groups (8.21A)• Democrats • Limited national government – more states’ rights• Strict constriction of the Constitution• Opposed National Bank and Tariffs• Agricultural economy• Whig Party (1833-1860)• Newly formed party, supported a weak president and a

strong legislature• Promoted internal improvements, such as roads, canals,

railroads, etc.• Harrison elected President

A splitting country…

• Sectionalism and Civil War –• North/Whigs – Supported the Union• South/Democrats – Supported states’ rights

• Protective Tariffs • Slavery• States’ Rights

William Henry Harrison9th President 1841Whig

William Henry Harrison• He was the first president to die in

office. • He was president for 32 days

before dying from pneumonia complications.

• His death sparked a constitutional crisis on how to handle the death of a president.

• This wasn’t officially addressed in the Constitution until the passage of the 25th Amendment.

Fought in the War of 1812

John Tyler

• 10th President• 1841-1845• Whig• “Tippecanoe and

Tyler Too!”• “His Accidency”