04/21 Detailed Study Notes on Jackson's Presidency and Related Topics

Current schedule includes finishing Jackson and moving into February topics: slavery, Mexican-American War, western expansion.
Upcoming final - Final is non-accumulative - Includes project submission, with due date announced Thursday.
Students encouraged to utilize feedback from drafts to improve final submissions.

Almost concluding stages of the semester with significant historical events and projects.

Created as a response to the needs of managing the nation’s finances.
Functions include holding and managing money, distributing paper money backed by gold and silver.
Jackson's perspective: - Viewed the bank as a tool of power concentrated in the Northeast, fearing its control. - Associated banks with inflation and economic instability.

Jackson’s conflict with the bank culminated in a significant political struggle known as the Bank War.
The second bank was established with a 20-year charter, set to expire during Jackson's presidency.
Congress authorized the bank's charter renewal, assuming Jackson would approve it.
Jackson’s response: - Aggressively vetoed the renewal, calling it unconstitutional. - His veto portrayed him as a king in the eyes of his detractors, particularly Republicans.

The political landscape was divided between Jackson's supporters (Democrats) and opponents (Republicans).
Jackson faced opposition from various factions, including state and local governments, some members of his own cabinet.

First Vice President John Calhoun experienced a fall from grace after Jackson discovered an old letter criticizing him.
Martin Van Buren's role: - Inflected Jackson's inclination to clean his cabinet, resulting in widespread dismissals. - Helped Jackson in choosing supportive appointees for his cabinet despite internal divisions.

Jackson and many politicians viewed Native Americans as a barrier to westward expansion.
The Indian Removal Act authorized the relocation of Native American tribes to designated Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River (modern-day Oklahoma).
Many politicians across party lines supported this act, including Jackson's adversary Henry Clay.

Although the act initially promised assistance during relocation, Native Americans were historically skeptical due to broken treaties.
Trail of Tears: - The forced relocation led to significant suffering and death, impacting various tribes including Cherokee, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole. - Approximately 17,000 Cherokee relocated, often under military pressure.

Resistance from other tribes, specifically the Sauk under Chief Black Hawk, led to the Black Hawk War.
Short conflict primarily in present-day Illinois and Wisconsin marked by violent clashes.
After defeat, Black Hawk was paraded in cities to symbolize the U.S. government's strength.

In contrast, the Cherokee pursued legal avenues to resist forced removal, forming a constitution and asserting independence.
Supreme Court case: Cherokee vs. Georgia ruled in favor of Cherokee rights on ancestral lands but lacked real enforcement authority, leading to further oppression.

The emergence of opposition parties following Jackson’s controversial presidency: - Rising Whig Party opposed Jackson’s policies, often led by Henry Clay.

The eventual shuttering of the Second Bank of the United States in 1841 led to a proliferation of smaller banks.
A spike in land sales was attributed to the economic conditions of the time.
Subsequent economic challenges under President Martin Van Buren due to lack of gold and silver leading to economic depression.

Distribution Act: Established by Congress to distribute extra revenue from land sales to states for infrastructure projects.
Species Circular: Mandated that land purchases require gold and silver, creating market instability and financial distress among citizens and banks.

Economic issues culminate in a significant depression shortly after Van Buren’s electoral victory, defining his presidency moving forward.