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The Age of Jackson

The Age of Jackson. Era or Error of the Common Man . First President not from a prominent colonial family A self-made man Political Participation did grow But common folk were still… common folk Power and Privilege still in hands of the few Jackson was Short Tempered Tough as Nails

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The Age of Jackson

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  1. The Age of Jackson

  2. Era or Error of the Common Man • First President not from a prominent colonial family • A self-made man • Political Participation did grow • But common folk were still… common folk • Power and Privilege still in hands of the few • Jackson was • Short Tempered • Tough as Nails • And a good hater…

  3. Divide of the Government • Cabinet Rivalry • Divided administration • Sec. of State – Martian Van Buren • Vice President – John C Calhoun • Both men wanted to be Jacksons successor • Eaton Affair • Peggy Eaton • Floride Calhoun • Closer to Van Buren

  4. Nullification • Nullification – where a state can declare a federal power null and void it if harms that state or violates the constitution • Stems from the belief states are sovereign powers • Force federal government to remove law or make constitutional amendment to justify law • Lead by John C. Calhoun of South Carolina • SC suffering from agriculture depression, Protective Tariffs exacerbated situation

  5. The Webster-Hayne Debate • Debate of Nullification that sharpened lines between states rights (south) and a strong union (North) • Began over issue regarding sale of western public land • North wanted to restrict • South wanted unrestricted – hoped to gain support from western territories over nullification • Robert Y. Hayne defended south • Quickly turned to debate over states rights and nullification • Daniel Webster defended north • “Liberty and Union now and forever on and inseparable” • Nullification would weaken the union and lead to civil war • President Jackson Agreed

  6. Jackson v Calhoun • Two Issues • Jackson publically state his opposition to states right and nullification • Jackson saw 1818 letter of Calhoun encouraging military discipline of Jackson for his episodes in Florida • Widened rift with Calhoun • Jackson removed all Calhoun supporters from his cabinet and replace with people loyal to him • Jackson decided to run for second term, despite pledge not to… • Martin Van Buren became new VP candidate • Calhoun’s presidential ambitions derailed, became champion of states rights and nullification – stated the beat of the drum for civil war.

  7. Clay’s Compromise • Calhoun resigned as VP to defend Nullification on the senate floor • South Carolina Ordinance – nullification that repudiated the federal tariff acts • No other state supported • Jackson pledge to uphold national law • Sent troops and ships to South Carolina • South Carolina mobilized militia • Henry Clay’s Proposal • Reduce the national tariffs gradually until 1842 • Both side agreed and compromise became law

  8. The Bank Controversy • Bank of the United States • Ran by Nicholas Biddle • Supreme Court ruled it was constitutional • Most powerful lending institution in US • Forced state banks to keep gold or silver to back paper money • Regulated currency and national economic growth • Jackson hated • Symbol of Wealth and Powerful • Promoted National government • Jackson vetoed its recharter, said it was unconstitutional despite what court and congress said

  9. Election of 1832 • Jackson saw reelection as a mandate in his banking views • With nullification defeated, Jackson freed to wage war on the bank • Jackson moved all government money from Bank of the US to 23 state banks (Called Pet Banks) loyal to him • Speculation Bloomed • Lack of Public Credit lead to economic recession • “Wildcat” banks bloomed, printed paper money without restraint • Sale of public lands • States became indebted to pet and wildcat banks

  10. Fiscal Collapse • Increase Currency = Increase Inflation • Distribution Act • Government surplus would be given to states as loans • Deposited into pet and wildcat banks • Specie Circular • Only gold or silver could be used to buy public lands • Few settlers could pay • Both put state banks in plight • Banks recalled loans to pay back government

  11. Election of 1836 • Jackson extremely popular • Defeated Nullification • Defeated the Bank of the US • Economic Recession did not hurt Jackson reputation • Whig party sprang up in opposition to Jackson’s policies • Three candidates: daniel Webster, Hugh Lawson White, and William Henry Harrison • Democrats nominated (and Jackson handpicked) Martin Van Buren, who won an easy election

  12. Panic of 1837 • Van Buren inherited a financial panic • Bank Crisis and European Recession • Collapsed economy • Bank and business when under • Inflation increased • Jackson’s mess • Van Buren response • Did not feel governments obligation to bailout business or farmers • Independent Treasury Act – created us treasury that stored US money • Occupied his presidency

  13. The Whigs • Traits • Conservative and Traditional • Wealthy and Protestant • New Englanders • William Henry Harrison Presidential Candidate in 1840 • John Tyler of Virginia as VP • Not a Whig, but a democrat • Placed on ticket to win votes • No platform – did not want to divide party • Harrison won

  14. The End

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