Jackson’s America

A different kind of President

Voting Requirements in the Early 19c

Self-Made Man

• Became hero after the Battle of New Orleans that was fought 2 weeks after War of 1812 ended.

• Jackson supporters founded Democratic Party to represent common people

• Grew up in poverty and became President in 1828.

Jackson’s Faith in the “Common

Man”• Intense distrust of Eastern“establishment,” monopolies, & special privilege.

• His heart & soul was with the“plain folk.”

• Belief that the common man was capable of uncommon achievements.

The Age of Jackson

• He had won the popular and electoral vote BUT not by a majority so Congress selected the winner ( Adams)

• His supporters felt like he was robbed and called this “Corrupt Bargain”

• Some people feel like his presidency began at this point

Results of the 1824 Election

A “Corrupt Bargain?

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Increased Democratization

• States had eased voting requirements, enlarging the voting population and allowing common people to vote for the first time

• Andrew Jackson succeeded John Quincy Adams as President in 1828.

• Fewer state had property qualifications.• In 1828, Jackson’s election was the result of

over 1 million citizens voting in the election.

• Jackson appealed to the Common Man• Democracy = Rule by the People• Before this time only the rich and well-born

could vote

Events during the Age of Jackson

Spoils system = Jackson’s administration utilized this system“To the victor belong the spoils of the enemy”This basically means if you are in charge you can put people in

office ( rather than the elite just because they are the elite)

Examples of how he does this:- Incoming officials throw out former appointees and

replace them with their own friends. - Kitchen Cabinet = He relied more on friends than a

regular cabinet for advice- He replaces government workers (civil servants)

What is a Tariff?

• How does a protective tariff impact an economy?

1828 --> “Tariff of Abomination”( do you know this word?)

• Jackson’s vice-president John C. Calhoun of South Carolina called the 1828 tariff a Tariff of Abominations. As an agriculture region, the tariff for South to buy more expensive Northern goods.

• Calhoun argued: If the federal government refused to permit a state to nullify a federal law, the state had the right to withdraw from the Union.

1832 --> new tariff

• Jackson agrees to “lowers it” BUT

More nullification crisis

• South Carolina’s reaction?

• Jackson’s response?

The Nullification Crisis contiued

• The tariff issue was eventually solved by Henry Clay’s compromise

• The issue involved a state’s rights to violate the Constitution which would eventually lead to the Civil War

1832 Tariff Conflict• 1828 --> “Tariff of

Abomination”( do you know this word?)

• 1832 --> new tariff• South Carolina’s reaction?• Jackson’s response?

The “Monster” Is Destroyed!• “pet banks”?• 1832 Jackson vetoed the

extension of the 2nd National Bank of the United States.

• 1836 the charter expired.

• 1841 the bank went bankrupt!

The Downfall of “Mother Bank”

Bank of the United States• Bank of U.S. was controversial (WHY)• Jackson thought it only served the rich, not

farmers• Bank Director was Nicholas Biddle represented

everything Jackson hated, he was rich and well born

• The government had large deposits in the bank.• Henry Clay tried to defeat Jackson in 1832

over bank. Jackson defeated Clay and killed the bank

Indian Removal Act of 1830

• Since the 1600s, two views of Indians were held by white settlers:

1) Displacement 2) Wished to convert Native Americans to Christianity and absorb them into white culture.

Andrew Jackson favored displacement and thought that assimilation could not work

Indian Removal Act

• In 1830, Congress passed Indian Removal Act.• Under this law, the federal government

provided funds to negotiate treaties that would force Native Americans to move west.

• About 90 treaties signed, He began a policy of forcing Indians to move west.