Chapter 9The Jacksonian Era1825-1842The Debate over States Rights

Andrew JacksonBecame President in 1828. Some called Jackson the farmer President, and thought he was not qualified to be the President because he had not gone to a prestigious school. Others felt a common man was just what the nation needed.

Strict ConstructionistsBelieve that the Constitution grants the central government only specific powers. All other powers not specifically mentioned in the Constitution are reserved for the states.

Kitchen CabinetJackson discovered that many men in his cabinet were more concerned with politics than with serving their President. So he gathered a group of close friends with whom he discussed his strategy informally (often in the White House kitchen).

Concerns Over a Central BankThe national bank controlled all the money collected by the federal government, giving it great influence over other banks and the nations money supply.Jackson insisted that the idea of a national bank violated the Constitution.

Nicholas BiddleDirector of the National Bank

Bank Charter BillIn 1832 Andrew Jackson vetoed the Bank Charter Bill, which would re-charter the national bank, and he ordered the secretary of treasury to withdraw all government money from it.

The Panic of 1837Biddle hastily called in loans of private individuals because he knew his bank could not survive without government money. This threw the country into an economic depression.

Specie CircularA statement requiring that all public lands be paid for in gold and silverCaused temporary financial panic, but in the long run stopped land speculation with cheap paper money.

During Jacksons two terms he: Championed sound money backed by goldDid away with the strong central bank that controlled the nations money supply

Protective TariffEssentially a tax on SouthernersBenefited manufacturers in the North

Tariff of 1828Southerners called it the Tariff of Abominations.

John C. CalhounVice President under Andrew JacksonOpposed the Tariff of 1828 and wrote a pamphlet called the South Carolina Exposition and Protest in response to it.

Nullification DoctrineThe idea that a state can nullify, or cancel, a federal law

SecessionThe act of leaving the Union by a state.John C. Calhoun argued for states rights but not secession.

Senator Robert Y. HayneEnlisted by John C. Calhoun to debate the issue of states rights.

Senator Daniel WebsterThe greatest orator (speaker) in CongressPaved the way for a compromise over the issue of states rights in the West and South.

1832 Congress passed a new tariff that continued to hurt the cotton growers in the South. South Carolina threatened to secede and use military force to defend themselves against President Jackson.Vice President Calhoun resigned and became a senator for South Carolina.

Compromise Tariff of 1833Lowered duties on foreign goods coming into the country over a period of 10 years with the hope that it would eventually be eliminated.

Force BillGave the President the authority to use the army and navy to enforce tariff laws, if necessary

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Jacksonian EraThe years that Jackson was presidentA period in history characterized by a new spirit of democracyMen were judged by what they could do rather than who they were

CaucusA closed meeting of party leaders who would select candidates or decide policy.

Nominating ConventionsParty members in each state elected delegates to attend these conventions, where they would choose the Presidential candidates.

Spoils SystemThe practice of giving public office positions to faithful supportersThe spoils system opened up the political process to more people, but it often put unqualified people in government positions.

National RoadConstructed to promote improvements in the developing lands out West. Ran from Cumberland, Maryland, westward across several states.

Indian Removal ActPassed in 1830Required American Indians living on lands east of the Mississippi River to move to lands farther west.The government provided funds to help the Indians in their move.

Black HawkLed Indian tribes back to their former home near Rock Island in 1832. This led to the Black Hawks War.

Black Hawks WarWhen members of the Sac and Fox tribe refused to leave Illinois, the governor of Illinois called out the state militia. Many Sac and Fox were killed and Black Hawk was captured. The remaining Indians were forced to return to the Western territories.

CherokeeIn the South, the Cherokee resisted the move forced upon them with the Indian Removal Act. They had established farms, a written language, and even drafted a constitution in attempt to establish a state in northwestern Georgia. Many had even become Christians. They were removed west with the others

Trail of TearsThe Cherokee journey to Oklahoma4,000 died

AbolitionistsPeople who wanted to abolish slavery.

William Lloyd GarrisonA radical abolitionists who published an abolitionist paper known as The Liberator. He called for immediate end to slavery.

Frederick DouglassPublished an abolitionist paper called The North Star.

Nat TurnerA black preacher that stirred up a slave rebellion in Virginia. About 60 white people, mostly women and children, were murdered in the Nat Turner Revolt.

Martin Van Buren8th President of the United StatesRan against the Whig partyPeople associated him with hard times and he only served one term.

Whig PartyA new party made up of former National Republicans and members of other political groups. They opposed Jackson and called him King Andrew the First because they felt he had been too strong of a President.

William Henry Harrison9th President of the United States1st Whig President1st President to die in office

John Tyler10th President of the United States

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The Caroline IncidentA Canadian militia caught some Americans smuggling arms and ammunition across the Niagara River to aid Canadian rebels. They set fire to the boat, named Caroline, killing one American.

Lord AshburtonEnglish minister to the United StatesWas married to an American womanWas known for his friendliness toward the United States

Webster-Ashburton Treaty1842Settled the United States-Canadian boundaryLaid the foundation for the establishment of the longest unfortified and peaceful boundary in the world between two great nations