Andrew Jackson Presidency

• Andrew Jackson is a controversial figure, with some considering him a bad person but a good president.
• Jackson oversaw significant westward expansion, but it involved displacing and killing Native Americans.
• He is credited with paying down the national debt and stabilizing the economy.

Indian Removal Act

• It resulted in the displacement of many Native Americans from their ancestral lands.
• It also led to numerous deaths among Native American populations.

Expanding Electorate

• The Democratic-Republican party split into Democrats and Republicans during Jackson's era.
• Federalists disappeared as a political force.
• Jackson's desire to run under the Democratic-Republican banner led to divisions within the party.
• Democrats advocated for the common person and limited federal government control.
• Republicans favored a strong central government and supported the national bank.

Spoils System

• It involves rewarding party supporters with public office after an election victory.
• Jackson appointed individuals who provided him with financial support or strong backing.

Trail of Tears

• It refers to the forced march of the Cherokee people after being expelled from their land.
• The journey covered 800 miles.
• The Cherokee removal is particularly notable because they had attempted to assimilate into American society.

Worcester v. Georgia

• The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Cherokee Nation was a distinct community, exempt from Georgia's authority.
• The federal government, not the states, had jurisdiction over Native American affairs.
• Jackson and the state of Georgia disregarded the ruling due to the discovery of gold.
• Congress did not initiate impeachment proceedings.

Battle with the Bank

• Jackson vetoed the bank's charter renewal, effectively dismantling it.
• Southern states opposed the bank.
• Jackson considered the bank to be unconstitutional.
• The Supreme Court eventually ruled the bank unconstitutional.
• The bank played a role in regulating currency circulation.
• After the bank's closure, the dollar's value declined.
• State banks emerged, leading to the Panic of 1837.

Tariff of Abominations

• Northern manufacturers sought tariffs on imported goods.
• British goods were cheaper than American goods.
• Congress passed a high tariff on imports before Jackson's presidency, known as the Tariff of Abominations.
• The North supported the tariff, while the South opposed it.
• The North aimed to stimulate its factories.
• Jackson lowered the tariff as a compromise to generate revenue for national debt reduction.

SC - Nullification Crisis

• South Carolina declared its refusal to pay the tariff.
• John Calhoun resigned as Vice President in protest of the Tariff of Abominations.
• Martin Van Buren became the new Vice President.

MVB - Martin Van Buren

• Van Buren inherited economic problems, including the Panic of 1837.
• He was blamed for the economic downturn for his laissez-faire approach.
• Excessive banknote issuance contributed to the crisis.
• Van Buren's limited intervention led to a depression.
• His one-term presidency was due to a loss of public confidence.
• People felt betrayed by him during the depression so he lost his re-election bid.
• This paved the way for a Whig victory.

William H. Harrison and John Tyler

• William Henry Harrison died of pneumonia after only 30 days in office.
• John Tyler, a Whig, was seen as a Democrat in disguise.
• Tyler vetoed numerous Whig bills, including the charter for a National Bank.
• Tyler's foreign relations were successful.
• The Whig party quickly lost power.
• Democrat Polk won the next election, followed by another Whig, Taylor, who also died in office.
• The Whigs split by 1850 over slavery issues.

Discussing Andrew Jackson's controversial legacy. Exploring westward expansion, Native American displacement, and economic policies. Examining the Indian Removal Act, expanding electorate, and spoils system.