THE AGE OF JACKSON
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Andrew Jackson’s
election in 1828,
brought in a new
era of popular
democracy
Andrew Jackson: Hero or Villain?
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Born in 1767 in NC
Orphaned at 13 – no formal
education
Emotional, Arrogant and Passionate
- always ready to duel
Defeated the Creeks at Horseshoe
Bend in 1814 & the British at New
Orleans in 1815
Took Florida and Claimed it for the
US in 1819
Loved by his soldiers who called him
“Old Hickory”
Distrusted the rich and powerful
The Election of 1824:
“The Corrupt Bargain”
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Jackson ran in a 4-way race for
Pres in 1824 (all the same party!)
Even though Jackson won the
popular vote, he didn’t receive a
majority of electoral votes.
Henry Clay gives his support to
JQ Adams and the House of Reps
chooses Adams as President
Adams names Clay Sec. of State
2 weeks later….hmmmm
AJ is furious: The Corrupt Bargain
AJ Publicly supports changes in
state laws about who can vote
Result: 3 times as many people vote & Andrew Jackson wins
ELECTION OF ANDREW JACKSON
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Jackson, hero of the common
man, won election in 1828 in
part because the right to vote
had been expanded to more
citizens
In the 1824 election, won by
John Quincy Adams, 350,000
white males voted
In 1828, over 1,000,000 white
males voted in the nastiest
campaign ever.
Many of the new voters
supported Jackson who also
won re-election in 1832
JACKSONIAN DEMOCRACY
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As part of his political
philosophy, Jackson sought to
grant political power to the
common people: Age of the
Common Man
Jackson rewarded his own
supporters with government
jobs. This is called The Spoils
System.
Jackson gave away many jobs
to his friends and political allies
and fired the rich and powerful
elites.
“The age of the common man”
was characterized by
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heightened emphasis on equality in the political
process for adult white males (rich white guys)
the rise of interest group politics and sectional issues
a changing style of campaigning – political parties
tried to appeal to “folks” (free food, ads, campaigns)
increased voter participation.
Politics started to look like what we know
today. Do you think these changes were
good or bad for the nation?
INDIAN REMOVAL ACT - 1830
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Jackson’s Native American Policy
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Indian Removal Act of 1830 – Forced resettlement of Native
Americans (Cherokee and others) from their homes in the
SE to Oklahoma and lands west of the Mississippi River
Bureau of Indian Affairs created to oversee resettlement
Many forced onto reservations
The Cherokee claimed the relocation was wrong and
it went to the supreme court. Marshall ruled in favor
of the Cherokee Tribe.
Jackson’s response
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“Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it”
INDIAN REMOVAL - 1830
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Forced relocation of the Cherokee tribe. Before
the journey was over ¼ of the tribe perished.
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Reflected Jackson’s personal apathy toward Native
Americans (he didn’t care)
TARIFF OF “ABOMINATION”
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THE NORTH
THE SOUTH
TARIFFS
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In 1824 and again in 1828,
Congress increased the
Import Tariff
Southerners called the 1828
Tariff, “a Tariff of
Abominations,” and blamed it
for economic problems in the
South
NULLIFICATION THREAT
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In an attempt to avoid
paying the tariff, John
Calhoun (Jackson’s Vice
Pres from S.C.), developed
the Theory of Nullification
South Carolinians argued
that states could nullify the
Tariff of 1832 and other acts
of Congress if they found
them to be unconstitutional.
Nullification would make the
law void within the state.
Jackson threatened to send
federal troops to SC
Haven’t we heard this before?
JACKSON’S BANK WAR
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Jackson opposed the
National Bank – run by the
rich and powerful.
He vetoed its charter and
withdrew all the federal $$.
He created Pet Banks run by
Dems and his friends
Many felt Jackson was acting
more like a King than a
president
His opponents formed a new
party – the Whigs
Pet Banks led to depression
Jackson’s Legacy: Hero or Villain?
The GOOD
More democratic involvement in Government
Looked out for the interests of the common man
Strong Executive Power
Massive Voter Turnout
Sparked Re-Creation of 2 Party System
The BAD
The Spoils System
Banking Policy causes a Depression
Ignores the Supreme Court
Greater Sectionalism –Result of Split with States’
Rights (SC)
The UGLY
Native American Policy
Trail of Tears
Strong Slavery supporter