The Age of Jackson
Andrew Jackson
1767-1845
The Common Man!
• Born in S. Carolina to poor Irish Parents-Father died in
a logging accident. Raised by mother with two
brothers. (brother died in Revolutionary war)
• Andrew and his brother captured by British and forced
to work-struck by sword.
• Orphaned at 14.
• Military leader-Native American Creek Wars, War of
1812.
• Lawyer, politician, land prospector, slave owner,
brawler!
• Married Rachel Robards, no children-adopted 1 son
Election of 1828
Bad Politics!!! Dirty Politics!!!
Andrew Jackson: Murderer! Adulterer!
John Quincy Adams: Gambler! Use of U.S.
Funds
John C. Calhoun: Incapable!
Adams political party=National Republicans
Jackson’s political party=The Democratic
Party
Campaigners: Jackson was a war hero,
born poor and rose to success! Supported
Majority rule and benefited from expansion
After Jackson takes the Oath
Andrew Jackson's victory in the election of 1828 was viewed as a triumph for
the common man and for popular democracy. During his two terms of office,
just about anyone could come to Jackson's parties and just about everyone
did! At his last public reception, a wheel of cheddar cheese weighing 1,400
pounds was devoured by a rowdy crowd in two hours. After that, the White
House smelled of cheddar cheese for weeks!
Jackson’s Presidential
Administration
Sectionalism at work: different regions
different opinions.
Three Regions Emerge: See page 289
Do You Remember?
1. What did Jackson think was wrong with
the US Bank?
2. What did he do about it? (name 3 things)
The Rights of the States
Problems with Tariffs
VP John C. Calhoun supported the south!
1.Calhoun said states power greater than
federal power because states had formed
the actual Fed. Government.
2.States should nullify, or reject law judged
unconstitutional. This produced the
Nullification crisis.
The Rights of Federal
Government
• Daniel Webster argued against Calhoun’s
theory stating the Federal Government was
one nation, not a pact among independent
states.
• Jackson urged Congress to pass a lower
tariff rate in 1832.
• South Carolina enacted the Nullification
Act.
• Jackson opposed the Act and threatened to
send military to enforce Federal Government
rule.
• Eventually lower tariffs were issued, but
the South never forgot!
Nullification Crisis
Federal Authority
States’ Rights
South opinion: Abominable
(horrible)
States’ Rights: State power
should be greater than
federal power.
Nullification: States’ have a
right to nullify federal laws
with which they disagree.
Supporter: John C. Calhoun
VS.
Supporter: Daniel
Webster promoted
national unity over
states’ rights.
President Jackson’s
opinion: opposed
nullification.
Action/Results: Jackson
threatened to send
troops to enforce tariffs
Jackson Attacks the Bank
• Jackson did not always support
federal law.
• He opposed the 2nd Bank of the
United States.
• South opposed the bank because
they believed it only helped the
rich!
• In McCulloch v. Maryland
Supreme Court ruled the national
bank was constitutional.
– McCulloch was a cashier at the
Bank’s branch in Maryland who
refused to pay the tax that was
designed to limit the bank’s
operations.
Jackson Attacks the Bank
• Jackson took funds out of the U.S. Bank
and put them into state banks.
• State banks used funds to give credit to
land buyers.
– Helped land expansion but caused inflation.
– Jackson ordered Americans to use only gold
and silver to buy land but it still didn’t help the
economy.
– New economic troubles began.
State banks
New Elections
• Jackson chose not to run in 1836;
democrat VP Martin Van Buren won
the election.
• An economic depression called the
Panic of 1837 followed the election.
• People blamed Van Buren even
though it was Jackson’s policies.
Nickname “Martin Van Ruin”
• Van Buren did too little too late to
help the nation.
Quick Notes
• Jackson didn’t always support fed. power
• South states believed U.S. Bank only helped
rich.
• McCulloch v. Maryland ruled bank
constitutional-Jackson vetoed bank renewal.
• Jackson took $ and put in state banks. Banks
used $ to give credit to land buyers.
• Economic problems began. Panic of 1837
Indian Removal-Choctaw
1. Chocktaw-1st Indians sent to
new Indian Territory. They were
forced to sign the treaty of
Dancing Rabbit Creek. The
U.S. received 7.5 million acres
of their land.
2. Forced to move on foot without
enough food, supplies-horrible
winter conditions. 1/4th died of
cold, disease or starvation.
Indian Removal-The Chicksaw
1. The Chicksaw
experienced many of the
same hardships the
Choctaw did, however
they negotiated treaty for
more food and supplies.
Many still died.
The Creek Indians
Creeks resisted removal and 14,500 were
captured and led in chains to new Indian
territory.
Chickasaw
From upper Mississippi After learning of
horrible conditions and treatment, they
negotiated treaties for food and shelter,
but many still died.
Indian Removal-