Jacksonian Democracy

Top 9 People and Ideas:

1. Andrew Jackson (Old Hickory)- the seventh president of the US Democratic president against powerful federal government and therefore the bank. The President of all people.

2. Spoils System- Jackson's system of president's power to replace government officials when in office. The election of one's friends to office.

3. Calhoun- Southern senator who clashes with Jackson several times, leader during Nullification crisis.

4. Nullification Crisis- tariff law passed in 1832 lowered duties more than the South wanted. Jackson thought that if a state could nullify an act of congress, the union could not exist. A compromise bill was passed.

5. Martin Van Buren- eighth president, during the Panic of 1837 and the following depression that lasted until 1843. Passed the Independent treasury act in 1840- to pay government in hard cash.

6. Indian Removals- Indians moved to Oklahoma from their homeland for expansionist reasons. Cherokee Nation vs. Georgia rules that Cherokee can't make their own state, Trail of Tears.

7. Whigs- democrats who disagree with Jackson's "oddlogic", Clay's National Republican Party, Calhoun's States Right's followers combine to create Whig Party and elect Harrison in 1840.

8. Specie Circular- must pay for land in gold or silver, causes panic of 1837.

9. Democrats- name given to Jacksonians, who believe in the ability of ordinary Americans to do anything they set their minds to, and who have a contempt for expert knowledge

Famous Quotes:

"The bank .. .Iwill kill it!" --Jackson

"Union men fear not, the union will be preserved." --Jackson

"Tippecanoe and Tyler Too!" --Harrison, during his Log Cabin Campaign

Summary of the Age of Jackson

Andrew Jackson was elected in 1828, in a close race against John Q. Adams, but the American public took pity on Jackson because he was cheated out of presidency in the "corrupt bargain" of 1824. Jackson "Democratized" politics by eliminating the property qualifications for voting and holding office and more public offices were made elective rather than appointive. He opposed federal support of projects taking place entirely within one state, like the Maysville road. Jackson despised the National Bank, which gave Henry Clay an issue on which to get the upper hand in the election of 1832. Jackson's veto of the Bank charter was immensely popular, much to Clay's dismay, and Jackson began his second term by asking Secretary of Treasury Louis McLane to remove the government funds deposited in the vaults. At his refusal, Jackson promoted McLane and hired Duane and then Taney in order to accomplish the same task. Roger B. Taney finally submitted to Jackson's demands, and the National Bank closed.

The Red Fox, Van Buren, took office at the beginning of the Panic of 1837. His chief goal as president was to find an acceptable substitute for the state banks as a place to keep federal funds.