Jackson and Federal Power
Daniel Miller
10 min read
Listen to this study note
Study Guide Overview
This study guide covers Andrew Jackson's rise to presidency, including the "Corrupt Bargain" and his eventual victory. It examines his presidency, focusing on the spoils system, Tariff of Abominations, Nullification Crisis, the National Bank battle, the Indian Removal Act, and the Panic of 1837. Finally, it explores the emergence of the Second Party System (Democrats vs. Whigs) and the presidency of Martin Van Buren.
#AP US History Study Guide: The Age of Jackson
Hey there, future APUSH master! Let's break down the Age of Jackson into bite-sized pieces. This guide is designed to be your go-to resource, especially when you're feeling the pre-exam jitters. We’ll make sure you're not just memorizing facts, but understanding the big picture. Let's get started!
#1. Andrew Jackson: From War Hero to President
#1.1. Jackson's Rise to Fame
- War of 1812 Hero: Jackson's military victories, especially at the Battle of New Orleans, made him a national hero. 💥 *
Remember, the Battle of New Orleans happened after the war ended. Talk about a grand finale!
This expansion fueled economic growth but also intensified conflicts with Native Americans.
#1.2. The Election of 1824: The "Corrupt Bargain"
-
No Electoral Majority: Jackson won the popular vote but didn't secure enough electoral votes.
-
House of Representatives Decides: The election went to the House, where John Quincy Adams was chosen as president.
-
The "Corrupt Bargain": Henry Clay's support for Adams in the House, followed by Clay's appointment as Secretary of State, led to accusations of a corrupt deal. 😠
Remember the key players: Jackson, Adams, and Clay. This election is a classic example of political maneuvering.
#1.3. Democracy and Citizenship under Adams
- Expanded Suffrage: Many states eased voting requirements, increasing the number of eligible voters. 🗳️
- Jackson's Appeal: Jackson positioned himself as the "common man," contrasting with Adams' perceived elitism.
Think of Jackson as the people's champion versus Adams, the aristocrat.
#1.4. The Election of 1828: Jackson's Victory
- Mudslinging Campaign: Both sides engaged in personal attacks and accusations.
- Jackson's Landslide: Jackson won decisively, marking a shift towards more popular participation in politics. 🎉 *
This was the first time a president was elected by a majority of the popular vote.
Focus on the rise of the Democratic Party and increased political activism of the common people.
#2. Jackson's Presidency: A Time of Change
#2.1. The Spoils System: Rewarding Loyalty
- Patronage: Jackson replaced government officials with his supporters, regardless of their qualifications. 🔄 *
“To the victor belongs the spoils.” Think of it as giving out trophies to your team.
Don't confuse the spoils system with meritocracy. Jackson prioritized loyalty over competence.
#2.2. Tariffs of Abominations: Sectional Tensions
- Protective Tariffs: The Tariff of 1828 (Tariff of Abominations) aimed to protect American industries from foreign competition. 🛡️
- Southern Opposition: Southern states, especially South Carolina, were angered by the tariffs, which raised the cost of manufactured goods they relied on.
- Sectional Divide: This tariff exacerbated the growing divide between the North and the South. 💔
- The Tariff of Abominations is a crucial example of how economic policies can fuel sectionalism.
#2.3. The Nullification Crisis: States vs. Federal Power
- Calhoun's Doctrine: John C. Calhoun argued that states had the right to nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional.
- South Carolina's Nullification: South Carolina nullified the tariffs and threatened to secede if forced to comply. 😠
- Jackson's Response: Jackson passed the Force Bill, authorizing the use of military force to enforce federal law. ⚔️
- Compromise: The crisis ended with the Compromise Tariff of 1833, which lowered tariffs.
Think of the Nullification Crisis as a showdown between states' rights and federal authority.
Understand the sequence: Tariff of Abominations → Nullification Crisis → Compromise Tariff of 1833.
#2.4. The National Bank Battle: Jackson vs. Biddle
-
Jackson's Opposition: Jackson viewed the National Bank as a tool of the wealthy elite and an unconstitutional entity. 🏦
-
Veto and Removal of Deposits: Jackson vetoed the bank's recharter and removed federal deposits, placing them in "pet banks."
-
Specie Circular: Jackson required that land purchases be made with gold or silver (specie), causing an economic downturn. 🪙
Jackson's actions against the National Bank led to economic instability and contributed to the Panic of 1837.
#2.5. Panic of 1837: Economic Crisis
- Causes: The panic was caused by a combination of factors, including falling cotton prices, Jackson's banking policies, and a lack of trust in the banking system. 📉
- Consequences: The panic led to bank failures, high unemployment, and a severe economic recession.
Remember, Jackson's war on the bank had long-lasting, negative consequences.
#2.6. The Peggy Eaton Affair: Social Drama
- Social Scandal: Gossip about Peggy Eaton's character led to a social rift among cabinet members' wives. 🎭
- Jackson's Support: Jackson defended Peggy Eaton, seeing parallels with his late wife's treatment.
This affair highlighted the social dynamics of the era and Jackson's strong personality.
#2.7. The Indian Removal Act: A Dark Chapter
- Forced Relocation: The Indian Removal Act of 1830 led to the forced relocation of Native American tribes from the southeastern U.S. 🏞️
- Trail of Tears: The Cherokee's forced march to Oklahoma resulted in thousands of deaths due to disease, starvation, and exposure. 💔
- Supreme Court Decisions: Despite Supreme Court rulings in favor of the Cherokee, Jackson defied the court and enforced the removal.
Remember the Court cases: Cherokee Nation v. Georgia and Worcester v. Georgia. Jackson ignored them.
The Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tears are often tested. Understand the impact on Native Americans.
#2.8. The Veto President: Expanding Presidential Power
- Frequent Vetoes: Jackson used his veto power more than any previous president, earning him this nickname. ✋
- States' Rights: He vetoed bills that he felt expanded federal power and supported states' rights.
Jackson's vetoes were a sign of his strong executive power.
#3. The Second Party System: Democrats vs. Whigs
#3.1. Emergence of New Parties
-
Democrats: Led by Andrew Jackson, they advocated for limited federal government, states' rights, and individual liberty. 🏛️
-
Whigs: Led by Henry Clay, they supported a more active federal government, a national bank, and internal improvements. 🏗️
The Whigs were named after the British party that opposed the monarchy, symbolizing their opposition to Jackson's perceived power.
#3.2. Key Differences
- Economic Policies: Democrats opposed the national bank and federal funding for infrastructure; Whigs supported them.
- Constitutional Interpretation: Democrats favored a strict interpretation; Whigs favored a looser one.
- Opposition to Jackson: The Whig Party formed primarily in opposition to Jackson's policies and leadership style.
Think of the Democrats as the party of the common man and the Whigs as the party of modernization.
#4. The Presidency of Martin Van Buren: A Tough Act to Follow
#4.1. The Panic of 1837
- Economic Crisis: Van Buren's presidency was marked by the Panic of 1837, an economic crisis caused by Jackson's policies. 📉
- Hard Money Policy: Van Buren continued Jackson's hard money policy, which worsened the economic situation.
#4.2. Border Disputes and Texas Annexation
- Canadian Border: America had disputes with Canada over its borders, but Van Buren avoided war.
- Texas Annexation: Van Buren opposed the annexation of Texas due to the slavery issue, delaying its admission to the Union. 🗺️
- The issue of Texas annexation highlights the growing tensions over slavery.
#Final Exam Focus
#High-Priority Topics
- Jacksonian Democracy: Understand the expansion of suffrage and the rise of the "common man" in politics.
- The Nullification Crisis: Know the arguments for states' rights and federal power.
- The National Bank: Understand Jackson's opposition and the consequences of his actions.
- Indian Removal: Be familiar with the Indian Removal Act, the Trail of Tears, and the Supreme Court cases.
- The Second Party System: Know the differences between Democrats and Whigs.
#Common Question Types
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs): Often test your knowledge of key events, policies, and figures. Pay attention to cause-and-effect relationships.
- Short Answer Questions (SAQs): May ask you to explain the significance of a specific event or policy.
- Free Response Questions (FRQs): Usually require you to analyze and synthesize information from multiple sources or time periods.
#Last-Minute Tips
- Time Management: Pace yourself during the exam. Don't spend too much time on any one question.
- Common Pitfalls: Avoid vague answers. Be specific and use historical evidence to support your claims.
- Strategies: Read questions carefully, plan your responses, and don't be afraid to make educated guesses if you're unsure.
- Stay Calm: Take deep breaths and trust your preparation. You've got this! 💪
#Practice Questions
Practice Question
Multiple Choice Questions:
-
Which of the following best describes the “spoils system” employed by President Andrew Jackson? (A) The system of awarding government jobs based on merit and qualifications. (B) The practice of appointing political supporters to government positions. (C) The policy of removing all federal deposits from the National Bank. (D) The system of nullifying federal laws deemed unconstitutional by states.
-
The Nullification Crisis of 1832 centered around which issue? (A) The expansion of slavery into new territories. (B) The federal government's policy on Native American removal. (C) The constitutionality of protective tariffs. (D) The controversy surrounding the rechartering of the National Bank.
-
The Indian Removal Act of 1830 led most directly to which of the following events? (A) The Trail of Tears. (B) The Nullification Crisis. (C) The Panic of 1837. (D) The passage of the Force Bill.
Free Response Question (FRQ):
Analyze the ways in which the presidency of Andrew Jackson (1829-1837) affected the development of American political and economic life.
Scoring Breakdown:
- Thesis (1 point): A clear, historically defensible thesis that addresses the prompt. For example: “Andrew Jackson's presidency significantly altered American political and economic life through his expansion of executive power, his policies regarding the national bank, and his controversial actions concerning Native American removal.”
- Evidence (2 points): Provides specific examples of Jackson's policies and their effects. For example:
- Political: The spoils system, the nullification crisis, Jackson's use of the veto, the formation of the Whig party.
- Economic: The bank war, the Specie Circular, the Panic of 1837, the Tariff of Abominations.
- Analysis (2 points): Explains how Jackson's actions impacted political and economic life. For example:
- Political: Jackson's actions expanded presidential power, increased political participation, and led to the development of a two-party system.
- Economic: Jackson's policies destabilized the economy, led to the Panic of 1837, and intensified sectional tensions over tariffs.
- Synthesis (1 point): Connects Jackson's presidency to broader historical developments or themes. For example: Connect Jackson's presidency to the rise of populism, the debate over states' rights, or the ongoing conflicts with Native Americans.
That's it! You've reviewed the key concepts of the Age of Jackson. Remember to stay calm, trust your preparation, and go ace that exam! 🚀
Explore more resources
How are we doing?
Give us your feedback and let us know how we can improve