Chapter 9Chapter 9

Jacksonian AmericaJacksonian America

ObjectivesObjectives

• 1. Jackson’s philosophy of government and his impact on the presidency.

• 2. Jacksonian Democracy• 3. Nullification theory of John C. Calhoun,

and President Jackson’s reaction to the attempt to put into action.

• 4. Jackson and the war on the Bank of the United States

• 5. Democrats and the Whigs

The Rise of Mass PoliticsThe Rise of Mass Politics

• All adult white males

• Gave all voters the right to hold public office

• Property qualifications were abolished

• Blacks could not vote anywhere

• No state allowed women the right to vote

• No secret ballots

Political PartiesPolitical Parties

• Permanent, institutionalized parties were a desirable part of political process that was essential to democracy

• In the 1830s a fully formed two-party system began to operate at the national level

• The Anti-Jackson Party were called – Whigs

• Democrats – the nations oldest party

? What Is He For ?? What Is He For ?

• Jackson spoke about the importance of State’s Rights

• Strongly committed to the Preservation of the Union

Calhoun and NullificationCalhoun and Nullification

• John C. Calhoun (the V.P.) began to assert a dangerous constitutional theory!

• Nullification

• South Carolina had become angry over a federal tax that they were ready to consider a drastic remedy

• Secession

CalhounCalhoun

• Calhoun knew his political future rested with his home state of South Carolina

• 1. Since the federal government was created by the states

• 2. The states should be the final arbiter of the Constitutionality of federal laws

Theory of NullificationTheory of Nullification

• If a state concluded that Congress passed an unconstitutional law it could:

• 1. Hold a special convention and declare that the law null and void within the state

• 2. The law would remain void until ¾ of the states ratified it as an amendment to the Constitution

• 3. The nullifying state would then have to choose between submitting to the law or seceding from the Union

The CrisisThe Crisis

• Jackson insisted that nullification was treason

• Asked Congress for a Force Bill authorizing the president to use military force to enforce acts of Congress

• South Carolina accepted the tax

Eaton AffairEaton Affair

• Senator Eaton has having an affair

• Upon the death of her husband she married Senator Eaton

• Jackson makes Eaton part of the cabinet

• Mrs. Calhoun would not include Mrs. Eaton in social affairs

• Remembering what had happened to his own wife – this was the last straw

Rise of Van BurenRise of Van Buren

• Kitchen cabinet

• John C. Calhoun was to be Jackson’s pick for President

• Because of the Nullification Crisis and the Eaton Affair

• Martin Van Buren was picked to be the next President

Removal of the IndiansRemoval of the Indians

• Trail of Tears

• Supreme Court Cases to weaken the Native tribes

Bank WarBank War

• By law the bank of the US was the only place for the Federal funds

• Soft-money faction = those who wanted more money in circulation

• Hard-money faction = those who wanted gold or silver (Jackson supported)

• In 1832, Congress passed the re-charter of the Bank

• Jackson Vetoed it• The Election of 1832 was over the Bank

Bank DestroyedBank Destroyed

• Jackson decided to remove the government’s deposits from the bank

• Federal monies were then placed in state banks

• The Bank died in 1836

• The country lost a valuable institution which affected the economy for almost 100 years

Election of 1836Election of 1836

• Democrats – Martin Van Buren

• Whigs – Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, and John C. Calhoun

• Whiggery – expanding federal power, encouraging industry and commercial development

Economic Panic of 1837Economic Panic of 1837

Election of 1840Election of 1840

• Log Cabin Campaign

• Whigs – William Henry Harrison and John Tyler

• Democrats – Martin Van Buren

• Harrison Wins

• Harrison dies one month into office

• Tyler establishes relations with China

Caroline Affair - 1837Caroline Affair - 1837

• US v. Britain (Again)• American Steamship Caroline to captured

and burned by the British – one American is killed

• Britain refuses to apologize• America arrests Alexander McLeod for

murder• New York defused crisis by acquitting

McLeod