Chapter 8 Democrats and Whigs 2019-20

Democracy in America

Written in 1835 by a young French nobleman, Count Alexis de Tocqueville who wrote about the influence of democracy on American life.

American System

Henry Clay's national plan for economic growth that included protective tariffs for industry and government investment in roads and other internal improvements.

Corrupt Bargain

Term presidential candidate Jackson's supporters used to attack the alliance between John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay that deprived Jackson of the presidency.

Old Hickory

The nickname that General Andrew Jackson earned for seeming as stout as old hickory tree; in fighting against the British in the War of 1812.

Spoils System

The name applied to Jackson's system of replacing government officeholders with those loyal to him.

Nullification Crisis

Showdown between President Andrew Jackson and the South Carolina legislature, which declared the 1832 tariff null and void and threatened secession if the federal govt. tried to collect duties. It was resolved by a compromise by Henry Clay.

Force Bill

A bill enacted by Congress that gave President Jackson the power to use military force to collect revenue, including tariffs.

Indian Removal Act

Legislation that gave President Jackson the authority to remove Indian tribes to lands west of the Mississippi.

Cherokee Cases

The two court cases in which the Supreme Court determined that Indian nations retained certain rights of sovereign nations, but did not enjoy the full powers of a sovereign nation.

Whigs

Anti-Jackson political party; they supported Clay's American System and a stronger central government.

Bank Veto Speech

Jackson's veto of a bill to re-charter of the Bank of the US, in which he explained why he opposed the bank and laid out his own vision of American democracy and constitutional government.

Panic of 1837

A world wide depression that began in the US which one of the nation's largest banks abruptly declared bankruptcy, leading to the collapse of thousands of banks and businesses.

Pet Banks

Popular term for pro-Jackson state banks that received the bulk of federal deposits when Andrew Jackson moved to dismantle the B.U.S. in 1833.

Adams-Onis Treaty

An agreement between the United States and Spain in 1819 that gave Florida to the U.S. and was considered a triumph of American diplomacy.

William Henry Harrison

He was hailed as a national hero for the victory at Battle of Tippecanoe. The first Whig candidate to win the White House, unfortunately he soon afterwards died in office.