The Jackson Years 1828-1836

1. The Jackson Years 1828-1836

2. Prior to Presidency • Wife not divorced from 1sthusband (died in 1828 2 weeks after election) • Jackson War of 1812 • Battle of New Orleans • Jackson invasion of Florida in 1818 – stole from Spain – Indians had been harboring escaped slaves • Governor of Fla Territory

3. Peggy Eaton/Petticoat Affair • Daughter of the owner of a well liked DC bar • Was known for loose morals during her marriages • Peggy Eaton previously married to a naval officer who committed suicide at sea. • Married John Eaton, A senator (and a good friend of Andrew Jackson) in 1824 - was rumored to have been with John Eaton before her 1st husbands suicide • John Eaton was appointed Sect of War by Jackson in 1829 • Wives of other cabinet members would not accept her at functions and social gatherings due to her reputation • only wife to support the Eatons was the Sect of State (Martin Van Buren) and wife • Jackson hates Washington formality and snootiness (FRONTIERSMAN!) and demands the wives accept her. They refuse and he forces almost his entire cabinet to resign. • Main beneficiary is Van Buren, who becomes Jackson’s favorite and the next president • Calhoun (VP) is on the outs b/c his wife won’t support Eaton.

4. Nullification • Nullification – State declaration that a national law does not apply to them. • Tariff of 1828 (Tariff of abominations) passed to help manufacturing hurts south by making manufactured good more expensive. Helps northern manufacturers • South Carolina declares it has the right to “nullify” the law • VP John Calhoun was from SC and supports nullification • Jackson agrees with the idea that the tariff is bad, but believes more strongly that the union must remain strong. • Leads Calhoun to resign as VP in 1832 • Force Bill passed in 1833 - authorized Jackson to use whatever force necessary to enforce the tariff • Clay, under pressure, passes a “compromise tariff” that reduces tariffs in 1832. • South Carolina rescinds nullification ordinance and backs down

5. Calhoun vs. Van Buren Had Tea with Peggy Eaton Appointed VP in 1832 Gets to be the next President! Opposed Peggy Eaton Supported Nullification Fired As VP!

6. Indian Removal • Desire for settlers to take Cherokee (and other native) land in Georgia • Discovery of gold on Cherokee land in Georgia 1829 • Georgia passes laws allowing incursion of Cherokee land – goes against national treaty with the indians. Treaty should take precedent. • Cherokee nation v Georgia (1831) and Worcester v Georgia 1832 • rulings that only the national govt. has the right to renegotiate and limit the treaties with the Cherokee nation • Cherokees were “civilized” in every aspect - written language, constitution, dress, Christian, rich, slave owners - communally owned property • Indian Removal Act passed 1830 • Treaty of New Echota is signed 1835 by a small number of Cherokee who believe it is foolish to continue the fight • signers were not govt. reps of Cherokee • 1838 Removal and the trail of tears BY VAN BUREN • Cherokees passively resist removal and are forced from their homes at gunpoint - up to 6,000 Cherokees die on the march - relocated onto reservations with little food and no govt. assistance (promised)

8. Bank War • 1st national bank 1791-1811 • 2nd national bank 1816-1836 • Jackson opposes bank - It concentrated an excessive amount of the nation's financial strength into a single institution - It exposed the government to control by "foreign interests" - It served mainly to make the rich richer - It exercised too much control over members of the Congress (bribes) - It favored Northeastern states over Southern and Western states • Henry Clay – Thinks the benefits of the bank are obvious to anyone who knows economics. Plans to use the issues to get elected president in 1832. Will show how ignorant Jackson is and people will elect Clay. Does not understand the new electorate. • Bank President Nicholas Biddle is convinced to apply for re-charter bank early to use it as an election issue against Jackson in 1832 (charter did not expire until 1836. • Jackson vetoes bank re-charter law that was passed by Clay • Bank supporters had the better economic argument, but Jackson appealed to common sense approach. With the expansion of the franchise, Jackson won the election. • Pet banks -are chosen to put the national wealth into. Leads to wild lending spree • Specie circular 1836 western land can only be bought with hard currency • Panic of 1837 - economic depression caused by closure of bank