Andrew Jackson's Presidency

Style vs. Substance

• Often proclaimed big changes but actual impact was less significant.
• Example: Reform of federal civil service appointments.
  • Claimed jobs required no special training.
  • Proposed rotation of honest citizens in and out of service.
  • In reality: only removed 20% of Adams' office holders.
  • Appointments still came from high-status groups.
  • Created the spoils system which was corrupt.

Spoils System

• Victorious party gave federal jobs to supporters.
• Critics equated it to bribery.
• Future assassination linked to the spoils system.

Economic Policy

• Railed against economic privilege, targeting Clay's American System.
  • Protective tariffs, national bank, federal subsidies.
• Vetoed Maysville Road Bill (mainly benefitting Kentucky, Clay's home).
  • Called it unconstitutional.
  • Approved more internal improvements than previous administrations, but favored states that supported him.

Indian Removal

• 125,000 Native Americans lived east of the Mississippi River.
  • Five Civilized Tribes: Cherokee, Creeks, Choctaws, Chickasaws, Seminoles.
• White farmers wanted their land.
• Georgia signed fraudulent treaties to take land.
• Jackson supported state over federal authority in this context.
• Indian Removal Act of 1830 funded treaties and removal.
  • Jackson used U.S. Army for enforcement.
• Forced relocation led to significant Native American deaths (Trail of Tears).
• Jackson's defiance of Supreme Court decision (Worcester v. Georgia) set a dangerous precedent.
• Successor Martin Van Buren continued the policy.

Nullification Crisis

• South Carolina opposed Tariff of 1828 (Tariff of Abominations).
• Nullification theory: states could nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional.
• John C. Calhoun (VP under Jackson) supported South Carolina's stance.
• South Carolina nullified tariffs of 1828 and 1832.
• Jackson responded with Force Bill and compromise tariff.
  • Upheld idea of one indivisible nation.
  • Drove some planters out of the Democratic Party temporarily.

The Bank War

• Second Bank of the United States was stable but viewed as privileged.
  • Opposed by state banks resenting its restrictions.
  • Henry Clay tried to use the bank as a campaign issue.
• Jackson vetoed the recharter of the bank in 1832.
  • Positioned himself as a champion of the common man.
  • Won reelection on this stance.

Summary

• Jackson's presidency involved significant controversy and conflict.
• His approach to governance often mixed populist rhetoric with actions that consolidated power and rewarded supporters.
• Major issues included economic policy, Indian removal, and the opposition to federal authority in certain contexts.