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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