The Antebellum Era 1781 1860 The Rise of
The Antebellum Era (1781 -1860): The Rise of Jacksonian Democracy Part 2
Jackson Rewards His Supporters -Jackson wanted common men to participate in the government. -Through the Spoils System, Jackson hired supporters in his administration who had helped him to become president. -This meant he gave jobs to loyal supporters of his campaign for the presidency.
Actions Taken by Andrew Jackson -Jackson was a huge supporter of The Indian Removal Act. -In 1830, Congress passed this law to force Native Americans west and give their land to white Americans. -The Supreme Court actually ruled in 1832 that the government could not force the Cherokee and others to leave.
The Trail of Tears -Jackson ignored the Supreme Court. -The Indian Removal Act commenced and began to relocate many Native Americans. -In 1838, this led to the horrific Trail of Tears in which many Native Americans died in the transition. The journey was over 800 miles long.
The Indian Removal Act: Forced relocation of Native Americans
The Trail of Tears
Many Native Americans died on the Trail of Tears.
Struggles Over the Economy -In 1824, many in the South were angry because of a tariff that they felt was hurting the cotton trade. -A tariff is when a government taxes foreign goods to help local business not have to complete with the foreign businesses. -However, this aggravated Britain and caused them to start buying less cotton due the economic barriers.
The Nullification Crisis of 1833 -A politician from South Carolina, John C. Calhoun, suggested that individual states should declare a state of nullification against the tariff, meaning they would not follow it. -South Carolina threatened to leave the Union and Jackson promised military action if they tried to do so. -In 1833, Henry Clay created a compromise in which the tariffs would decrease over a 10 year period.
Henry Clay helped developed the Missouri Compromise of 1820 & a compromise addressing the Nullification Crisis of 1833.
John C. Calhoun suggested that Southern States, such as South Carolina, nullify (refuse to follow) federal tariffs.
Jacksonian Economics -Jackson felt the Second Federal Bank benefited the super rich and was too powerful. -Jackson wanted the Federal Bank to be abolished because it seemed to benefit only the rich. -He put money in separate “pet banks” and reduced the Federal Bank’s power.
Jackson’s Complaints Against the Second Federal Bank - The bank focused the nation's financial strength into a single institution and served mainly to make the rich wealthier. -The bank manipulated and controlled members of Congress. -The bank’s actions favored Northern industrial businesses and did not help Southern agrarian farmers.
A depiction of Jackson “fighting” the federal bank, represented as a monstrous dragon.
The Economy After Jackson -In the era following Jackson, the economy quickly downturned and this led to the Panic of 1837. -The “pet banks” were placed in several states and radically increased the use of credit. -Many felt the “pet banks” had failed and hurt the economy.
Presidents After Jackson -In 1838, Martin van Buren, Jackson’s Vice-President, became president. -In 1840, a splinter group from the Democrats, who felt Jackson was too powerful, called the Whig Party, nominated William Henry Harrison and he won the presidency due to the poor economy that came about while Martin Van Buren was President. -William Henry Harrison died while in office and his Vice-President, John Tyler, became president in 1841.
Left to right, Presidents by term, starting from the top: Jackson (1829 -1837), Van Buren (1837 -1841), Harrison *died in office (1841 -1841), & Tyler (18411845)
- Slides: 17