History Chapter 10 The Jacksonian Era This Focuses The Controversies Jacksons Presidency And

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CHAPTER 10

The Jacksonian Era, 1828–1840

This chapter focuses on the controversies of Jackson’s presidency and the emergence of a new party

system. It narrates and explains his Indian policy, the nullification controversy, and the bank war. The

rivalry between Jackson and John C. Calhoun is outlined, as is the growing gulf between supporters of

federal rights and those of states’ rights. The chapter goes on to discuss Jackson’s rivalry with Nicolas

CHAPTER OUTLINE

I. Jacksonian Democracy

A. Political Democracy

B. Anti-Democratic Forces

C. Democracy Unleashed

II. Jackson as President

A. The Eaton Affair

B. The Maysville Road Veto

D. The Bank War

i. The Recharter Effort

III. Nullification

A. Calhoun and the Tariff

B. Clash of Titans—Webster versus Hayne

C. Calhoun versus Jackson

VI. War over the B.U.S.

A. Biddle’s Response

B. The New Whig Party

C. Killing the B.U.S.

D. The Money Question

E. Censoring the Mail

F. The Election of 1836

LECTURE IDEAS

1. A general overview of the nature and character of Andrew Jackson will develop the theme for the rest

of this chapter. A topic of much debate has been whether and, if so, how he changed after becoming

president. Did he lose connection with the common man and succumb to the temptations of power? Or

was he simply managing the existing political forces of his era? Suggested sources include:

2. Give each group in your class a specific issue related to the Jackson administration—for example,

the nullification crisis, the bank, or Native American relations—and have them research and present

the issue to the class. See the following sources:

• Robert V. Remini’s The Legacy of Andrew Jackson (1988)

3. A lecture on the Peggy Eaton affair will not only illuminate political intrigue during Jackson’s first term

but also cast valuable light on the status of women in Jacksonian America. What sort of fates befell

4. Lecture on the split between the Democratic and Whig parties and the realignment of the political

party system in America during the Jacksonian Era. Chart the major differences between the parties.

Suggested sources include:

5. Develop a lecture on the presidency of Martin Van Buren, especially in light of the fact that Andrew

Jackson handpicked him to be president. Then survey his administration by reviewing both his domestic

6. One of the most interesting ways to illustrate the rise of the second two-party system is to give a

lecture on Davy Crockett’s career in national politics in the early 1830s, as he was recruited by the

Whigs to provide a Western alternative to Andrew Jackson. William Davis’s Three Roads to the Alamo:

IN-CLASS ACTIVITIES

1. Much like Thomas Jefferson’s election, Andrew Jackson’s election was considered a revolution. Why?

2. This activity focuses on the constitutionality of the Indian Removal Act (1830). Begin by explaining

Jackson’s position versus that of the Supreme Court, as outlined in the cases brought by the

3. When South Carolina declared a federal law to be null and void, Jackson responded strongly. Examine

his response to the nullification controversy and how South Carolina reacted to his position. See

William Freehling’s Prelude to Civil War: The Nullification Controversy in South Carolina, 1816–1836

4. Why did a new party system of Democrats and Whigs emerge out of Jackson’s election to the

presidency? Richard P. McCormick’s The Second American Party System: Party Formation in the

5. Why did a new party system of Whigs and Democrats emerge out of Jackson’s election to the

presidency? Richard P. McCormick’s The Second American Party System: Party Formation in the

Jacksonian Era (1966) covers the system’s development. Michael F. Holt’s The Rise and Fall of the

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. How did Jackson’s early life shape his political ideas and values?

2. What were some of the ways Native Americans were treated as foreigners in their own land during the

Jacksonian era? Your answer should include specific examples based on their treatment by Congress,

3. The Tariff of 1828 proved to be the impetus behind the entire nullification controversy. Examine the

process that brought this about. Was the tariff only the pretext, as Jackson himself declared?

4. The Peggy Eaton affair divided Jackson’s cabinet. Discuss the events in question, paying particular

attention to Jackson’s handling of them.

7. Why did President Jackson veto the recharter of the Second Bank of the United States?

8. Most commonly, it is President Jackson who is associated with Indian removal. In what ways did

Martin van Buren also contribute to the Indian removal campaign and the Trail of Tears?

PRACTICING CITIZENSHIP

This chapter details the dramatic upsurge in voting that was symptomatic of what scholars have

traditionally termed “Jacksonian democracy.” Do some work that increases political participation in your

own community. Contact a local political party, campaign, or nonpartisan organization such as the League

of Women Voters and volunteer for a few hours doing voter registration. What did you learn about the