chapter 10, section 2 jackson’s administration. three regions emerge regional differences played a...
TRANSCRIPT
Chapter 10, Section 2
Jackson’s Administration
Three Regions Emerge
Regional differences played a major role in Andrew Jackson’s presidency
The way that Americans viewed Andrew Jackson’s policies were based on where they lived and the economy of the region Sectionalism
Three Regions EmergeNorth South West
Economy based on trade and manufacturing
Economy based on agriculture-cotton and tobacco plantations
Emerging economy
Supported tariffs because they helped them compete with British factories
Opposed tariffs because it made imported goods more expensive for them
Favored economic policies that boosted their farming economy and encouraged settlement
Opposed federal government sale of cheap land because it encourage potential laborers to move from northern factories to the west
Relied on enslaved Africans for labor
Favored internal improvements such as better roads and water transportation
Tariff of Abominations
The year before Andrew Jackson was elected president, northerners began demanding tariffs on imported woolen goods Wanted northern business protected from foreign
competition (particularly Great Britain) British companies were driving American ones out
of business with their inexpensive manufactured goods Southerners did not want the tariffs, because it would
hurt their economy
Tariff of Abominations
Tariff of Abominations High tariff placed on imports by Congress Signed by John Quincy Adams, though he did not
support it In doing so, he knew he would not be re-elected
Southerners were outraged
States’ Rights Debate
Upon taking office, Andrew Jackson immediately faced the growing conflict over tariffs
At the heart of the dispute was the question of an individual state’s right to disregard a law that had been passed by Congress
Nullification Crisis
Andrew Jackson’s vice president, John C. Calhoun was a southerner and opposed to the Tariff of Abominations Economic depression as a result of the tariff had
severely damaged the economy of his home state, South Carolina His strong opposition to the tariff is an example of
Sectionalism
Nullification Crisis
In response to the tariff, John C. Calhoun drafted the South Carolina Exposition and Protest Stated that Congress should not favor one state
or region over another Calhoun used this work to advance the States’
Rights Doctrine Argued that because states had formed the national
government, state power should be greater that federal power
Stated that states had the right to nullify (reject) any federal law they judged to be unconstitutional
Nullification Crisis
John C. Calhoun’s theories were very controversial Northern point of view
Supported the tariff because it increased their economy Believed that American people, not states, made up the Union
Southern point of view Intense hatred for the tariff because it damaged their economy Supported Calhoun’s theories
Nullification Crisis Deepening conflict between supporters and opponents of
nullification
Nullification Crisis
Even though John C. Calhoun did not put his name on Exposition and Protest, he resigned from the vice presidency Elected to the Senate, where he continued
arguments in favor of nullification Replaced by Martin Van Buren when Jackson
was re-elected
The Hayne-Webster Debate Issue of states’ rights began early in our
nation’s history Viewpoints strongly influenced by sectionalism
For example, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison supported individual state’s power to disagree with the federal government Both Jefferson and Madison were southerners
John C. Calhoun’s theory went a step further than his predecessors Believed that individual states had the power to
declare laws passed by the federal government unconstitutional, thus putting the power of the Supreme Court into question
The Hayne-Webster Debate The issue of nullification of the Tariff of
Abominations was intensely debated in the Senate in 1830 Robert C. Hayne
Southerner from South Carolina Defended states’ rights Argued that nullification gave states a way to lawfully
protest federal legislation Daniel Webster
Northerner from Massachusetts Argued that the United States was one nation Believed that the welfare of the nation should override
that of individual states
Jackson Responds
Andrew Jackson was deeply opposed to nullification but also concerned about the economy of the southern states Urged Congress to pass another tariff lowering the
previous rate South Carolina
Felt the slight change was inadequate Decided to test the doctrine of states’ rights by passing the
Nullification Act Declared both tariffs null and void
Threatened secession State legislature voted to form their own army
Jackson Responds
An enraged President Andrew Jackson sternly condemned nullification Declared he would enforce the law in South
Carolina Force Bill
Passed by Congress at the urging of President Andrew Jackson
Approving the use of the army if necessary
No other state chose to support South Carolina
Jackson Responds Compromise
Proposed by Henry Clay of Kentucky Gradual lowering of tariffs As President Andrew Jackson’s intention to utilize
military force against South Carolina became clear, Congress and South Carolina quickly approved the compromise
Despite the compromise, neither side changed their mind about states’ rights Argument continued for years, ending in what
became known as The Civil War
Jackson Attacks the Bank
President Andrew Jackson did not always support greater federal power Opposed the Second Bank of the United States
Second Bank of the United States Granted a 20 year charter by Congress Given exclusive power to act as the federal government’s
financial agent Held federal deposits Made transfers of federal funds between states Dealt with any payments or receipts involving the federal
government Issued bank notes (paper money) Operations supervised by Congress and the president
Jackson Attacks the Bank
Southern states opposed to the bank Believed the bank only helped wealthy, northern
business owners Sectionalism at work
Jackson questioned the legality of the bank Believed it was an unconstitutional extension of
the power of Congress and that states should have the power to control the banking system
Jackson Attacks the Bank States decided to take action
Maryland tried to pass a tax that would limit the Bank’s operations James McCulloch (cashier of the Bank’s branch in
Maryland) refused to pay the tax McCulloch v Maryland
U.S. Supreme Court case that ruled that the national bank was Constitutional
Nicholas Biddle Director of the bank Pushed for a bill to renew the Bank’s charter President Andrew Jackson vowed to kill any bill
renewing the Bank’s charter True to his word, Andrew Jackson vetoed the bill
Jackson Attacks the Bank
Congress did not get 2/3 vote to override the President’s veto
President Andrew Jackson weakened the Bank’s power by moving most of its funds to state banks
In many cases, state banks used the funds to offer easy credit terms to people buying land Helped the expansion of the West, but led to inflation
Jackson Attacks the Bank
In the summer of 1836, President Andrew Jackson tried to slow inflation by ordering Americans to use only gold and silver instead of paper money This policy was not the success Andrew Jackson
hoped for Jackson did improve the national economy by
lowering the national debt Jackson’s economic policies opened the door
for approaching economic troubles
Panic of 1837
President Andrew Jackson chose not to run for re-election in 1836
Democratic party nominated Vice President Martin Van Buren
Whig Party Formed in 1834 to oppose Jackson Favored the idea of a weak president and a
strong congress Chose 4 candidates to run against Van Buren
Van Buren won the election of 1836
Panic of 1837
Panic of 1837 Severe economic depression Shortly after President Martin Van Buren took
office Even though it was Jackson’s fault, the American
people blamed President Martin Van Buren Election of 1840
Whig Party united to stand behind one candidate William Henry Harrison
Military hero Won in a landslide