JACKSON and Federal Power [APUSH Review Unit 4 Topic 8] Period 4: 1800-1848

Andrew Jackson and Federal Power

Political Landscape in the Early 19th Century

• The Democratic-Republicans were the only major political party after the decline of the Federalist Party, leading to the emergence of two factions: National Republicans and Democrats.

• By the 1820s and 1830s, these factions solidified into distinct parties: Democrats led by Andrew Jackson and Whigs led by Henry Clay.

Core Values of Each Party

• The Democrats, influenced by Thomas Jefferson, valued limited federal power, free trade, local governance, and opposed corporate monopolies and high tariffs.

• The Whigs aligned more with Alexander Hamilton's vision, advocating for a strong central government with policies like a national bank and protective tariffs.

Key Debates Over Federal Power

Tariffs

• A tariff is a tax on imported goods aimed at protecting domestic industries. High tariffs can lead to increased prices for foreign goods.

• The Tariff of 1828 raised import duties significantly (35-45%), benefiting northern manufacturers but harming southern economies reliant on imports.

Nullification Crisis

• Southern opposition to the tariff led John C. Calhoun to develop the doctrine of nullification, arguing states could invalidate federal laws deemed unconstitutional.

• Jackson responded firmly against this challenge; he passed a Force Bill allowing military action against South Carolina if necessary.

National Bank Controversy

• The Second Bank of the United States was seen as beneficial initially but faced criticism when state banks failed due to its policies.

• Jackson viewed the bank as unconstitutional and detrimental to lower classes; he vetoed its recharter in 1832 calling it a “hydra of corruption.”

Internal Improvements Debate

• Disagreements arose over federal funding for infrastructure projects. Whigs supported such expenditures while Jacksonians saw them as unconstitutional overreach.

Indian Removal Policy

• The Indian Removal Act of 1830 marked a significant policy under Jackson’s administration regarding land acquisition from Native Americans.

Indian Removal Act and the Cherokee Nation

Background of the Cherokee Nation

• The Cherokee nation in Georgia declared itself a sovereign entity, but the Georgian government viewed them as mere house guests.

• The discovery of gold on Cherokee lands intensified pressure for their removal, leading to the passage of the Indian Removal Act.

Indian Removal Act Implementation

• The Indian Removal Act mandated that all Native Americans be relocated west of the Mississippi River to Oklahoma Territory, under the pretense that they would be left undisturbed.

Legal Challenges by the Cherokees

• The Cherokees challenged their removal's constitutionality in Worcester v. Georgia, where surprisingly, the Supreme Court sided with them, asserting federal protection over Cherokee lands against state laws.

Treaty of New Echota

• In 1835, a small group of Cherokees met U.S. officials without tribal approval and signed the Treaty of New Echota, which exchanged eastern lands for reservations in the west.

Trail of Tears and Resistance

• The forced removal began in 1838 along what became known as the Trail of Tears due to widespread illness and death during this arduous journey.