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Jackson Versus Adams
Political Change:
Election of 1824: Marked the end of the Era of Good Feelings. Four Democratic-Republican candidates (John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay, William Crawford, Andrew Jackson) split the vote.
Outcome: Jackson won the most popular and electoral votes but lacked a majority, leading the House of Representatives to choose the president. Henry Clay's influence helped John Quincy Adams win, leading to accusations of a "corrupt bargain."
President John Quincy Adams:
Policies: Adams' proposals for internal improvements and a national university were seen as overreach by Jacksonians.
Tariff of Abominations: The 1828 tariff law alienated southern planters, worsening sectional tensions.
The Election of 1828:
Campaign Tactics: Jacksonians used new party organization tactics, including smearing opponents. The election saw high voter turnout.
Result: Jackson won decisively, appealing to voters as a war hero and man of the frontier.
The Presidency of Andrew Jackson
Jackson's Leadership:
Representative of the Common Man: Jackson
symbolized the emerging working and middle classesPresidential Power: Jackson exercised strong executive
power, vetoed more bills than all previous presidents combined.
He used his veto power to limit federal spending and opposed
the national debt.
Source: 1832 King Andrew rejects republican values. Cartoon from anonymous artist circa 1832, used in campaign posters, Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Key Issues:
Indian Removal Act (1830): Forced relocation of thousands of American Indians west of the Mississippi. Jackson supported state laws requiring Indian removal, leading to the Trail of Tears, where 4,000 Cherokees died.
Indian Removal and Legal Battles:
Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831): The Supreme Court ruled Cherokees could not sue as a foreign nation.
Worcester v. Georgia (1832): The Court ruled Georgia laws had no force in Cherokee territory. Jackson did not enforce this decision, siding with states.
Nullification Crisis
Tariff of Abominations:
South Carolina's Response: Declared the tariff unconstitutional and advanced nullification theory (states could nullify federal laws).
Jackson's Position: Declared the Union must be preserved, countering Calhoun's states' rights stance.
South Carolina's Actions: Nullified the tariffs of 1828 and 1832, forbidding tariff collection.
Jackson's Response: Prepared military action and passed the Force Bill, asserting federal authority. Compromise tariff suggested by Jackson ended the crisis.
Bank Veto
Nicholas Biddle: Managed the bank effectively but was seen as arrogant, contributing to suspicions.
Jackson's View: Saw the bank as unconstitutional and serving the wealthy.
Veto of Recharter: In 1832, Jackson vetoed the recharter bill, denouncing the bank as a monopoly. Jackson's stance helped him win reelection.
Emergence of Democrats and Whigs:
Democrats: Supported Jackson, opposed national bank and federal spending on internal improvements, concerned with high land prices and business monopolies.
Whigs: Supported Henry Clay, favored national bank and federal improvements, concerned with crime associated with immigrants.
Jackson’s Second Term
Pet Banks:
Action Against the Bank: Jackson withdrew federal funds, transferring them to state banks ("pet banks").
Specie Circular:
Policy to Check Inflation: Required land purchases to be made in gold and silver, leading to a financial crisis (Panic of 1837) after Jackson left office.
The Election of 1836
Martin Van Buren:
Democratic Nominee: Jackson’s vice president, won the election.
Whig Strategy: Nominated multiple candidates to throw the election to the House, failed as Van Buren won.
President Van Buren and the Panic of 1837
Economic Crisis:
Causes: Specie Circular and Jackson's financial policies contributed.
Blame: Whigs blame Democrats' economics.
The "Log Cabin and Hard Cider" Campaign of 1840
William Henry Harrison:
Whig Nominee: War hero, used populist campaign tactics.
Result: Harrison (left) won, but died shortly after taking office.
Vice President John Tyler (right), a former Democrat, succeeded him.
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