Rise of Mass Democracy: The Presidencies of John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards detailing the Era of Good Feelings, the Corrupt Bargain, Jacksonian democracy, the Nullification Crisis, the Bank War, Indian Removal, and the Texas Revolution.

Era of Good Feelings

The post-War of 1812 period characterized by heightened nationalism and a political landscape dominated by a single party, the Democratic-Republicans, between 1816 and 1824.

Monroe Doctrine

A foreign policy declaration made under President James Monroe asserting United States dominance in North America.

William H. Crawford

A former congressman from Georgia who represented the South as one of the four Democratic-Republican presidential candidates in the election of 1824.

Henry Clay

Speaker of the House from Kentucky who promoted the American System, ran for president in 1824 and 1832, and was appointed Secretary of State by John Quincy Adams.

John Quincy Adams

Diplomat, former Secretary of State, son of John Adams, and 6th President of the United States who secured the office following the contested election of 1824.

12th Amendment

The constitutional amendment specifying that if no presidential candidate receives a majority of Electoral College votes, the House of Representatives must select the president.

Corrupt Bargain

The allegation by Andrew Jackson's supporters that Henry Clay swayed the 1824 House of Representatives vote to elect John Quincy Adams in exchange for the post of Secretary of State.

The Hermitage

Andrew Jackson's plantation estate located outside Nashville, Tennessee, where he held approximately 300 enslaved individuals across his lifetime.

Rachel Jackson

Andrew Jackson's wife who died shortly before his 1829 inauguration after enduring political accusations of adultery due to an invalid prior divorce.

Election of 1828

The milestone presidential election marking the rise of mass democracy, in which property requirements were relaxed, 80% of eligible males voted, and Jackson defeated Adams.

Democratic Party

The political party that coalesced around Andrew Jackson in 1828, advocating for populism, equal protection and benefits for white men, and the common man.

Spoils System

The political practice of awarding civil service and government positions to political loyalists and campaign supporters as a reward for their allegiance.

Tariff of Abominations (1828)

A high tariff on imports passed by Congress that protected Northern manufacturing but provoked outrage in the South over increased prices on manufactured goods.

Nullification Crisis (1832–1833)

A sectional conflict led by Senator John C. Calhoun of South Carolina, asserting that a state possessed the sovereign right to declare a federal law void within its borders and threatening secession.

Force Bill (1833)

Legislation passed by Congress granting President Andrew Jackson authority to use the federal military to enforce tariff collection in South Carolina.

King Andrew the First

A prominent political caricature depicting Andrew Jackson dressed in monarchical regalia and trampling the Constitution, criticizing his expansive use of executive vetoes.

Indian Removal Act (1830)

A federal measure authorizing the forced displacement of Native American tribes residing east of the Mississippi River to designated Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma.

Worcester v. Georgia (1832)

A 5-to-1 Supreme Court ruling delivered by Chief Justice John Marshall declaring Georgia's statutes over Cherokee lands unconstitutional, which President Jackson refused to enforce.

John Ross

Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation who mobilized legal resistance against displacement and publicly protested the loss of sovereignty and human rights in 1836.

Trail of Tears (1838)

The forced overland march of the Cherokee and other Native American tribes to lands west of the Mississippi under the Martin Van Buren administration, resulting in thousands of deaths.

Bank War (1832)

The political struggle resulting from President Jackson's veto of the congressional recharter of the Second Bank of the United States, which he branded an unconstitutional monopoly.

Pet Banks

State-level and independent private banking institutions where federal deposits were redirected following Jackson's withdrawal of funds from the Second Bank of the United States.

Panic of 1837

A widespread financial crisis and economic depression triggered by risky lending, lack of a central banking system, and the failure of numerous state banks.

Whig Party

A political party organized in the 1830s to oppose Jackson, led by Henry Clay and Daniel Webster, supporting the American System, infrastructure improvements, protective tariffs, and a national bank.

The Alamo

A San Antonio mission where Mexican forces commanded by General Santa Anna defeated Texan insurgents and American settlers during the 1836 Texas Revolution.

Republic of Texas (1836)

An independent republic formed when Anglo-American settlers broke away from Mexico; diplomatic recognition was granted by Jackson, but annexation was initially stalled over slavery concerns.

Sam Houston

The primary military commander of the Texan forces during the Texas Revolution and later a prominent governor of Texas.