The Age of Jackson

Jacksonian Democracy •  Jackson’s election in 1828 signaled the

rise of the “common man” -Elected by Western Farmers and Eastern Workers -Property qualifications for voting eliminated in most states

-Changing nature of political campaigns -Jackson’s inauguration symbolic of new age

Jackson viewed himself as a spokesman of the common people

Jackson’s Indian Policy •  Worcester vs. Georgia (1832)

– Ruled that Indians were not subject to the laws of the state. Jackson refused to enforce ruling

•  Trail of Tears – Cherokee and other Indian tribes in the Southeast U.S. were forced to march 1200 miles to Oklahoma territory. Estimates of 1/3 died in route.

Nullification Crisis •  South Carolina 1832 •  Tariff of Abominations (1828) – Highest

tariff up to that point in U.S. History

•  S.C. stated its opposition to tariff in 1832 •  Jackson appealed to people of SC to obey

national law •  AJ creates Force Act to enforce laws any

way possible •  Worked out a compromise tariff with Clay

War over the U.S. Bank •  Jackson opposed re-charter of Bank

because: – Banks were seen as tools of rich opposing the

poor – Foreclosed mortgages on farmers

– Restricted the issuance of paper money by state banks

– Nicholas Biddle made a number of loans to anti-Jackson politicians

•  Jackson removed all government deposits and placed them in local (pet) banks, destroying the U.S. Bank

•  Wildcat banks created in wake of U.S. Bank’s failure – Money in circulation increased by 300% – Loans made increased by 400% –  Inflation rose as loans were made to land

speculators – Sales of Western Lands increased – 1832 4

mil acres, 1836 20 mil

•  States borrowed vast sums for internal improvements, increasing state debt

•  Jackson distributed federal government surpluses to states which led to increased spending and inflation

•  Jackson issued the specie circular requiring gold and silver for land purchases

•  Panic of 1837 – English bankers called in loans to states and

investors – Gold supplies were depleted, preventing

banks from making payments and forcing failures