Age of Jackson and reform Flashcards
Andrew Jackson
1829-1837
- Associated with expansions of democracy, such as: Universal male suffrage, “open” party nominating concentions, and allowing citizens to vote for president rather than state legislatures.
- known for his violent tempermant and nicknamed old Hickory
Maysville Road Veto
1830
- Vetoed by President Andrew Jackson on the grounds that the central government did not have the power to fund such intrastate projects
- Proponents of the road argued for it as part of the cumberland national road system that would help build up the country
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Indian removal
1800s
- The US governments policy to relocate Indian tribes east of the Missisipi and move them out West
- Official legislation: THe “Indian Removal Act” was signed into law by President Jackson in 1830
- This represented a change in America’s previous policy (spearheaded by Jefferson) in which Indians could remain East as long as they assimilated with white American culture.
Peggy Eaton affair
o John Eaton was secretary of war- rumored to have affair with married daughter of tavern keeper
• Marries peggy after her 1st husband dies
• Other cabinet wives (led by Calhoun’s wife) refuse to entertain Peggy
• Jackson angry (same thing the cabinet wives did to this wife) and demands wives accept Peggy. They don’t listen so he fires cabinet
o Result: Calhoun fired and Van Buren becomes VP
• Hires “Kitchen Cabinet” – friends who talk about affairs
Cherokee Nation v. Georgia
1831
- Cherokee resist Georgia’s attempt to remove them and take their case to the supreme court.
- John Marshall decides in their favor: cheokee are a dependant on the federal governemnt and therefore Georgia has no jurisdiction over them,
- President Jackson disrespects marshalls decision. Ultimately, the Cherokee are sent on the Trail of Tears
Antimasonic Party
1828
- Started in opposition to the Masons (a fraternity which started in the middle ages as a stone masons union and became an elite association)
- Rumors are spread that the masons are “evil” so people get scared
- The anti-masonic party was the first single issue party that aimed to become a major political faction.
South Carolina Ordinance of Nullification
1832
- SC legislature (led by John C. Calhoun) refuses to pay the tarrif of abominations and threatens to secede
- President Jackson threatens to invade SC adn hang Calhoun (even though he privately opposed tariffs)
- Both Sides back down:
- Congress lowers tarrif (term= Compromise Tarrif)
- SC agrees to pay
- Southerners tend to hate tariffs since they boost Northern Industry but make buying basic commodities more difficult.
Compromise Tariff
1833
- Also known as Tariff of 1833
- Reaction to SC Ordinance of Nullification in which SC refused to pay the Tariff of abominations. It pacified SC.
- This act gradually lowered Tariff rates until they fell to the levels in 1816
- This compromise was orchestrated by Henry Clay (“The Great Compromiser”) with help from John C. Calhoun.
Force Bill
1833
- Expands presidential power/ the executive branch.
- Intended to help President Andrew Jackson enforce Federal Tariffs.
- Response to the Nullification Crisis in which SC refused to pay the Tariff of Abominations
Whig Party
1833-1860
- Formed in opposition to Democratic President Andrew Jackson
- Supported supremacy of legislative branch over executive (which was becoming more powerful with the Force Bill).
- Practically: they weren’t much different from the democrats. they did support higher tariffs, internal improvements, industry, and a stronger central gov.
Martin Van Buren
1836
- Unpopular because of major financial crisis: Panic of 1837. Nicknamed “Martin Van Ruin”
- Won in the Election of 1836 as a Democrat against 3 Whigs (since their vote was split)
- Not particularly talented
Charles River Bridge v. Warren Bridge
1837
- Supreme Court decision which settled a debate over the constitutional obligation of a contract.
- The Charles River Bridge Company had a charter from 1785 for a bridge over the Charles river.
- Massachusets gives charterto a different company to build Warren Bridge (connecting the same two towns and in very close proximity to the Charles River Bridge)
- Charles River Bridge sues, saying that the charter gave exclusive rights to their company. Supreme court disagrees and side with the Warren Bridge.
Trail of Tears
1830
Jackson determined to move all indians west of the missisipi
They attempt to resist but the US Army comes and forces them to move in a holocaust-like scenario, throwing people out of their homes
a ton of indians die on the joureny since they abused
Independent Treasury Act
1846 (-1921)
- Act: Store the federal governemennt money (=public revenue) in the US treasury instead of in the National Banking system.
- proposed by Democrats
- Goal: make sure treasury operations did not influence the money market. restrict reckless expansion of credit by the Bank.
- Possibly a reaction to the Panic of 1837
William Henry Harrison
1840
- War hero who wins in Election of 1840 vs. Van Buren
- Has a lot of campaign hoopla. Hands out goodies for voters who attend rallies.
- Is a real “tough guy,” on installation day, outisde in cold without coat- catches pnemonia and dies.