Essential Question:

–How effective was Andrew Jackson as 7th president of the United States?

Reading Quiz Chapter 13

Jacksonian Democracy

The Presidency of Andrew Jackson

(Andrew Jackson Video)

Jackson’s First Term

The Peggy Eaton Affair

Peggy Eaton Affair Jackson presidency began rough:

–Jackson & VP Calhoun feuded –In addition, all cabinet members

resigned over disagreement with Jackson regarding moral character of Sec of War’s wife

Jackson forced to reorganize cabinet; begins to rely on his “Kitchen Cabinet”—close friends & unofficial advisors

Only Sec of State Martin Van Buren remained loyal to Jackson

Maysville Road ProjectJackson supported building

projects if they were national…he did not like spending federal money for state projects

In 1830, Jackson vetoed funds for the Maysville Road project because it lie totally in Kentucky (home of Clay, who he never forgave for the “corrupt bargain”)

The Nullification CrisisBy 1820, South anxious about

federal powers over states:–VP Calhoun was the leader of

the defense of states’ rights–Wanted to protect slavery &

hated industrial protective tariffs –After the Tariff of 1828Tariff of 1828 passed,

the South affirmed nullificationnullification, the right of an individual state to ignore federal law

“Tariff of Abominations”

The Nullification CrisisWhen the Tariff of 1832 passed,

SC invoked nullification which Jackson viewed as a treasonous threat to the Union–Threatened to send the army;

Congress passed the Force BillForce Bill to make SC collect tariff taxes

–Compromise Tariff of 1833 lowered the tariff rate & SC withdrew nullification

Another compromise made by Henry Clay

The Nullification CrisisSignificance of Nullification Crisis:

–SC’s argument implied states’ right to declare federal laws void but also the right of successionright of succession

–More than any other president, Jackson asserted that the central gov’t is supreme & was willing to use force to preserve federal authority

Webster-Hayne DebateSectional rivalries were evident by

1830: NE vs. West vs. SouthIn 1829, a NE Senator proposed

a bill to slow western land sales because it upset the balance of power NE enjoyed in Congress–Hayne (SC) spoke against NE

disloyalty in War of 1812 & the “Tariff of Abominations” but praised the idea of nullification

Webster-Hayne DebateWebster:

–An ex-Federalist spoke on behalf of NE, decried nullification, & supported the power of the Supreme Court over the states

–He insisted that the people wrote the Constitution, not the states…“We the people…”

–Gave a sounding cry to “Union”

“Liberty and Union, now and forever, one & inseparable”

Indian RemovalGA, AL, MS were disappointed

with JQ Adams’ slow movement in dealing with Indians; Jackson promised to act quickly

Real obstacle to Indian removal was refusal of Cherokee to leave:

–“Uncivilized” label did not apply

–Republican gov’t, Sequoyah’s writing, agrarian life-style

Indian RemovalState gov’ts assumed authority

over Indian tribes even if actions defied Constitution & treaties

Jackson supported the states & asked Congress for Indian Removal Act of 1830Removal Act of 1830

But…the Supreme Court in Worcester v GAWorcester v GA ruled that the states have no authority over Indian tribes (“domestic nations”)

Georgia defied the Supreme Court’s decision

Jackson supported GA’s defiance: “Marshall has made his decision,

now let him enforce it”

In 1838, US Army forced Cherokees west in Trail of TearsTrail of Tears

Trail of Tears

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUILURVoPhw

The Bank War & the Second Party System

The Bank WarSecond Bank of the US (1816)

served many positive functions:–Held gov’t money (~$10 million)–Sold gov’t bonds & made loans

to people & businesses –Most importantly: the BUS

controlled state banks by forcing them to be smart when issuing loans

2nd BUS had 30 branches & was biggest bank in America

State banks had tendency to issue more loans than they could support with their “hard currency” reserves

Mr. Biddle's BankBut the BUS was controversial:

–Blamed for the Depression of 1819 by overextending credit & too quickly calling back loans

–Many people still viewed the BUS as an unconstitutional monopoly that gave too much power to the upper class

–Manager Nicholas Biddle was effective but arrogant, vain, & seen as “aristocratic”

The Bank VetoSince entering office in 1828,

Jackson disliked the BUSBiddle began to worry about the

renewal of Bank’s charter in 1836 & wanted to re-charter it in 1832

Congress approved the re-charter but Jackson vetoed the bill:– Claimed it unconstitutional,

violated states’ rights, & “dangerous to people’s liberties”

With none other than Speaker of the House Henry Clay’s supportCongress was unable

to override the veto

The veto did not immediately kill the BUS…its charter will

not end for 4 more years

The Election of 1832Jackson veto surprised the

financial community but was very popular in the South & West

Jackson made the Bank a key issue in election of 1832:

–Jackson defeated Henry Clay

–Jackson viewed his win as a mandate by the people to continue war against the Bank

Killing the BankJackson attacked the BUS by

withdrawing federal money & moved funds to 23 state banks

Jackson’s opponents argued that he overstepped his authority:–Unpopular in Jackson’s cabinet–Some Congressional supporters

of the veto now questioned whether Jackson had gone too far & overstepped his powers

Favorable state banks were called “pet” or “wildcat” banks

This move effectively ended Clay’s American System

Killing the BankBy 1836, the economy sunk due

to inflation & no state bank control Jackson was alarmed by the

widespread use of paper money & issued Specie CircularSpecie Circular:–The gov’t will only accept hard

money for land sales–The sharp withdraw of credit led

to the Panic of 1837Panic of 1837 & a 6-year recession

…and Jackson’s successor, Martin Van Buren, will

have to deal with

The Emergence of the WhigsAn upset coalition opposed to

Jackson formed the Whig PartyWhig Party:–Supported by ex-Federalists,

“Clay Republicans,” planters in south & businessmen in north

–The Whigs defended an activist gov’t in the economy

Gained support during the Panic of 1837 & “Van Ruin’s” lack of success in ending the recession

“King Andrew”