The Age of Jackson

Essential Question

• How did political beliefs and events shape Andrew Jackson’s presidency?

Disputed Election of 1824

4 candidates – all RepublicansJohn Quincy Adams – New England

Henry Clay – WestAndrew Jackson – West

William Crawford – South

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

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

John Quincy Adams

• An unpopular President

• Americans are mad about election

• Makes it hard for Adams to accomplish anything meaningful as President

Election of 1828

Adams vs. Jackson

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

Jackson in the White House

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

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

“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)

The Bank Wars

Essential Question

• Why did Andrew Jackson want to close the Bank of the United States?

Mr. Biddle’s BankNicholas 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

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

Crisis Over Tariffs

• 1828 – Congress passes highest tariff

• Southerners call it “Tariff of Abomination”

• Hurts planters

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

Making ConnectionsBased 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”

Conflicts Over Land

Essential Question

• How did Andrew Jackson’s presidency affect Native Americans?

Tragedy for Native Americans• White settlers wanted more land from

the Indians• 1828 – Georgia claimed the right to

make laws for Cherokee nation

1832 – Indian Removal Act

• Forced many Native Americans to move west of Mississippi River

Worcester v. Georgia

• Cherokee’s went to court to defend rights

• 1832 – Worcester v. Georgia

• Chief Justice John Marshall rules in favor of the Cherokees

Trail of Tears

• 1838 – US Army drives 15,000 Cherokees westward

• Little food or shelter

• 25% casualties

The Presidency After Jackson

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

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