The Age of Jackson

Target Language or Knowledge:

In the early 1800's the average U.S. citizen felt they were losing power in government. They rallied around Andrew Jackson as their candidate for president in 1824 & 1828. They believed Jackson would defend the rights of the common people and the slave states. During Jackson's popularity many democratic reforms were taking place. States changed their voting requirements to give more white men the vote. Political parties began holding public conventions. Democracy was expanding to apply to more people. This became known as Jacksonian Democracy. Jackson lost the presidential election of 1824. In 1828 his supporters formed the Democratic party to help him win. Jackson's victory in the election was seen as a victory for the common man. Regional differences increased during Jackson's presidency. The economy of the north was based on factories, manufacturing, and trade. The north approved of high tariffs because the taxes on imported goods helped them compete with British factories. The economy of the south was based on cash crops like tobacco and cotton. The south did not like high tariffs because tariffs made the prices of imported goods more expensive for southern farmers. They also feared that their trading partners would raise their tariffs in return. The Tariff of Abominations was an extremely high tax on woolen goods. It was passed to protect northern industry from foreign competition. It was so high importing wool became nearly impossible. The south and others who believed in the State's Rights Doctrine opposed the tariff. The State's Rights Doctrine says that because the states formed the national government they should have more power than the federal government. In response to the tariff South Carolina passed the Nullification Act. This act declared that the tariff was unconstitutional and South Carolina would not enforce it. Jackson opposed nullification and asked Congress for permission to use the Army if necessary to enforce the tariff. South Carolina quickly agreed to a compromise. Jackson opposed the Bank of the United States because he felt it was unconstitutional. The south also opposed the bank because they felt it favored the wealthy. Jackson vetoed the bill to renew its charter in 1832. The Supreme Court declared that the Bank was constitutional but Jackson still took steps to weaken the bank. His actions lead to a severe economic depression known as the Panic of 1837.

power Andrew Jackson slave white public Democracy Democratic common north imported south tobacco cotton raise Abominations woolen Doctrine Nullification Army compromise Bank unconstitutional vetoed constitutional Panic