“To the victor goes the spoils” The Presidency of Jackson

1. “To the victor goes the spoils”The Presidency of Jackson Sasso US I

2. Jackson’s Government • The United States is changing pretty rapidly during Jackson’s administration- socially, politically, economically • The Spoils System becomes a big part of Jackson’s government- “to the victor goes the spoils” • Spoils System- appointing people to government positions on the basis of party loyalty • Not a new development, but Jackson is the first president to remove officials and replace them with his own • Jackson figures that the president should have more power than anyone else in the government, so he just planned on doing whatever he wanted • Also develops his “Kitchen Cabinet” of advisors

3. Veto Power • One method of doing whatever he pleased was by exercising his veto power • Used more vetoes (12) than the first six presidents COMBINED • Many of his vetoes are used on bills proposed by Henry Clay • This is one way for Jackson to get back at his political enemies

4. Veto Power • One example would be his veto on the Maysville Road Bill • Since Jackson is a nationalist, many felt this would be approved • This Bill would extend the Cumberland National Road inside the state of Kentucky • Jackson vetoed this because the Constitution does not allow the federal government to spend $ on local transportation • Since this improvement would only help Kentucky, the federal government would not pay for it • Where is Henry Clay from? Kentucky • What does Jackson do next? Approves a bill that will build a new National Road to and through Tennessee • Where is Jackson from? Tennessee

5. Jackson and Calhoun • An unlikely pairing • Had a bit of a troubled history together • Calhoun had been a nationalist • Helped create the American system with Clay • However, by the 1820’s, South Carolina is struggling economically • Part of it’s struggles come from the high tariffs that Calhoun helped create (Tariff of 1816) • A new tax- the Tariff of 1828 • Many people in South Carolina begin to talk of secession • Calhoun starts to think more along sectional lines

6. The Nullification Crisis • Calhoun’s political future truly depends on how he can help fix things for SC • He is well aware that secession is very dangerous • Tariff of 1828 becomes known in the South as the “Tariff of Abominations” • Calhoun decides to propose the concept of Nullification • Anonymously writes the South Carolina Exposition and Protest • Has to keep it anonymous because he is still VP and he knows that this will go against Jackson’s beliefs • Not completely his idea- had been developed by TJ and Madison • The idea says that states have a final decision on federal law • If a state does not agree with a federal law, they can decide to make it null and void in their borders • This could potentially lead to the break up of the United States

7. Tariff of 1832 • Proposed Tariffs in 1832 will decrease taxes on certain products, but increase them on others • Jackson: “Our federal Union it must be preserved” • Calhoun: “The Union: Next to our liberties most dear” • South Carolina will nullify the tariff

8. Henry Clay to the rescue • “Compromise Tariff” of 1833 • Will reduce taxes over the next several years • Should keep both sides happy • Jackson will recommend a “force bill” be included in the language • SC will accept the tariff, but nullify the Force Bill