APUSH Chapter 10 Vocab

Political Machine

an organization, typically led by a boss or a small group, that exerts control over a political party by using tangible rewards, like jobs and contracts, to secure votes. It famously provided social services to immigrant communities in exchange for political support, but also became known for widespread corruption and fraud. The influence of political machines helped lead to the Progressive Era reforms that aimed to create a more efficient and transparent government.

Patronage

the practice of filling government positions with supporters of the victorious political party as a reward for their loyalty. President Andrew Jackson heavily employed this practice, arguing that it made the government more democratic by preventing the rise of a permanent civil service. However, it also led to the appointment of unqualified officials, contributing to inefficiency and corruption.

Election of 1824

a four way contest between Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay, and William Crawford. Although Jackson won the most popular votes, no candidate secured a majority of the electoral college, sending the decision to the House of Representatives. There, Henry Clay threw his support to Adams, who then appointed Clay as his Secretary of State, leading to accusations of a "Corrupt Bargain.”

Corrupt Bargain

the alleged backroom deal between John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay that secured the presidency for Adams in the 1824 election. When the election was decided by the House of Representatives, Clay, as Speaker of the House, helped Adams win and was subsequently appointed as his Secretary of State. Jackson's supporters used this accusation to discredit Adams and rally support for Jackson's victorious 1828 campaign.

John Quincy Adams

The sixth President of the United States, he was a highly qualified diplomat whose presidency was hampered by the "Corrupt Bargain" allegations. As a proponent of the "American System," he advocated for federal support of infrastructure and education but was largely thwarted by Jacksonian opposition. After his single presidential term, he served in the House of Representatives, where he became a vocal opponent of slavery.

American System

an economic plan championed by Henry Clay in the early 19th century designed to promote national unity and economic growth. Its three key elements were a protective tariff to boost American industry, a national bank to stabilize commerce, and federal funding for internal improvements like roads and canals. The system was never fully implemented and ultimately intensified regional divisions, particularly between the industrial North and the agrarian South.

Rotation in Office / Spoils System

the practice of replacing government officials with loyal party supporters. President Andrew Jackson defended the practice as a democratic reform that prevented an aristocratic government class and brought fresh talent into office. Critics, however, pointed to the appointment of unqualified personnel and the increasing corruption that resulted from distributing government jobs as political rewards.

Andrew Jackson

the seventh President of the United States, defined the era of "Jacksonian Democracy" by expanding political participation to the "common man." A polarizing figure, he wielded presidential power aggressively, confronting South Carolina over nullification, abolishing the Second Bank of the United States, and forcefully pursuing the Indian Removal Act. His presidency marked a significant shift toward a more populist and centralized form of presidential power.

Martin Van Buren

the eighth President of the United States, was a key political organizer and architect of the modern Democratic Party. He served as Andrew Jackson's Vice President and Secretary of State, faithfully implementing his policies. His presidency, however, was dominated by the severe economic downturn of the Panic of 1837, for which he was widely blamed, leading to his defeat after a single term.

Henry Clay

a powerful American statesman from Kentucky who served multiple terms in Congress and as Secretary of State. He was the architect of the "American System" and brokered several legislative compromises, including the Compromise of 1850, to prevent sectional conflict. His role in the 1824 "Corrupt Bargain" and his persistent opposition to Andrew Jackson defined much of his political career.

Daniel Webster

a prominent Massachusetts senator and one of the era's greatest orators, best known for his staunch defense of national unity. In a famous debate with John C. Calhoun, he argued against the doctrine of nullification, declaring that "Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable!" As a leader of the Whig Party, he consistently prioritized the preservation of the Union over sectional interests.

Nullification Crisis

a sectional political crisis in the early 1830s involving a confrontation between South Carolina and the federal government over high protective tariffs. Led by John C. Calhoun, South Carolina declared the tariffs unconstitutional and asserted its right to nullify federal law. President Andrew Jackson fiercely rejected nullification, threatening military force to ensure federal authority and ultimately resolving the crisis with a compromise tariff negotiated by Henry Clay.

John C. Calhoun

a leading Southern politician from South Carolina and Vice President under Andrew Jackson who became a fervent defender of states' rights and slavery. After disagreeing with Jackson, he resigned as Vice President to advocate for nullification as a Senator. He argued that states had the right to veto federal laws and famously declared slavery a "positive good," solidifying his role as a champion of Southern interests.

Indian Removal Act 1830

signed by President Andrew Jackson, authorized the forced displacement of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands east of the Mississippi River. This law led to the removal of tens of thousands of Native Americans, including the Cherokee, Creek, and Choctaw. The policy opened up vast tracts of land for white settlement, but inflicted immense suffering and injustice upon Native American communities.

Worcester v. Georgia

a Supreme Court case where the Court ruled that the state of Georgia had no authority over the Cherokee Nation. The decision affirmed tribal sovereignty and upheld the federal government's exclusive right to manage relations with Native Americans. However, President Andrew Jackson famously refused to enforce the ruling, which allowed Georgia to continue its campaign to remove the Cherokee people.

Trail of Tears

the forced and brutal relocation of thousands of Native Americans, most notably the Cherokee, from their homelands in the Southeast to Indian Territory (present day Oklahoma). Following the Indian Removal Act of 1830, Native Americans were marched westward under harsh conditions, leading to the deaths of thousands from disease, starvation, and exposure. The Trail of Tears is a tragic symbol of the injustice and cruelty of American Indian removal policies.

Roger Taney

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court who served from 1836 to 1864 and generally sided with states' rights and Andrew Jackson's policies. His most infamous decision came in the 1857 Dred Scott v. Sandford case, where he declared that African Americans were not citizens and that Congress could not prohibit slavery in the territories. This ruling intensified sectional tensions and is widely regarded as one of the Court's most harmful decisions.

Panic of 1837

a severe economic depression that began during Martin Van Buren's presidency. It was triggered by a combination of factors, including Jackson's monetary policies against the national bank, land speculation, and a credit crisis in Britain. The panic led to widespread bank failures, business closures, and high unemployment, shaping the economic landscape for years and contributing to Van Buren's defeat.

Whigs

a major American political party that existed from the mid 1830s to the mid-1850s, formed primarily in opposition to President Andrew Jackson. They advocated for Henry Clay's "American System" of tariffs, a national bank, and federal funding for internal improvements. The party was a coalition of different factions, and its inability to unite on the issue of slavery ultimately led to its dissolution in the 1850s.

William Henry Harrison

the ninth President of the United States and the first Whig to be elected to the office. His "log cabin and hard cider" campaign in 1840 appealed to the common man, positioning him as a war hero and a simple frontiersman. His presidency was the shortest in American history, lasting only 31 days before he died in office.

John Tyler

the tenth President of the United States, who assumed the office after William Henry Harrison's sudden death in 1841. A former Democrat, he often clashed with the Whig Party's platform, leading to his effective expulsion from the party. His administration is known for the annexation of Texas, and his conflicts with Congress highlighted questions of presidential succession.