Study Notes on Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson: 7th President of the United States
Nickname: King Andrew or Champion of the Common Man?
Historical Debate
Historians continue to debate the legacy of Andrew Jackson.
Central Question: Was he a tyrant and wannabe king or a champion of the common man?
Jackson’s Early Life
Born: March 15, 1767
Parents: Irish immigrants with limited resources
Father's Death: Died weeks before Jackson's birth, impacting his early life
Youth Involvement: Joined the independence movement as a courier in the Revolutionary War at age 10
Family Losses: Two older brothers died in the war
Capture: Jackson was captured and held as a prisoner by British forces
Post-War Life: Survived and became a lawyer, congressman, and plantation owner
Slave Ownership
Hermitage Plantation: Purchased in 1804, began cotton farming
Enslaved Workforce: Started with nine enslaved Africans; by later years owned 95 slaves (17 women, 19 men, 59 children)
Military Service
War of 1812: Led the Tennessee militia against the Creek Indians
Earned the nickname "Old Hickory"
Became a national hero after the decisive Battle of New Orleans in 1815
The Seminole Wars
Background
Since the 1700s, Spanish protected enslaved Africans fleeing plantations in Georgia and South Carolina.
Black Seminoles lived near Seminole villages; offered shares of crops for protection.
Conflict
Negro Fort: A settlement with around 1,000 Black Seminoles; destroyed by U.S. forces after Jackson demanded its demolition.
Invasion of Florida: In 1818, Jackson led over 3,000 soldiers into Florida.
Treaty with Spain: Resulted in the Adams-Onís Treaty (1821) where Spain ceded Florida to the U.S. for $5 million.
The Election of 1824
Context
Significant political changes marked the political landscape of the nation
Key Competitors
Candidates: Henry Clay, John Quincy Adams, John C. Calhoun, W.H. Crawford
Election Results
Electoral Votes:
John Q. Adams: 84
Andrew Jackson: 99
Popular Votes:
Jackson: 153,544 (43.1%)
Adams: 108,740 (30.5%)
Outcome: No candidate received a majority in the electoral college, leading to House of Representatives deciding the election, favoring Adams.
The "Corrupt Bargain"
Refers to the controversial 1824 election where Jackson won the popular vote, yet Adams became president with the help of Henry Clay.
Clay was appointed Secretary of State post-election, raising eyebrows about the motives behind the bargain.
Resulted in a political movement against elites and propelled Jackson to future power.
The Election of 1828
Jackson’s Campaign
Position: Distrust of Eastern elites and support for common people.
Advocated for the capability of the common man to achieve greatness.
Adams’ Campaign
Continued support for a strong federal government and internal improvements, but aimed to discredit Jackson’s violent past through negative campaigning (e.g., Coffin Handbills).
Voting Demographics
Support for Jackson
Received support from various demographics:
Planter elite in the South
Frontier inhabitants
State politicians
Urban immigrants
Universal White Male Suffrage
Jackson championed this policy, appealing to poor white voters.
Critics labeled Jackson’s supporters as a “Mob,” claiming he favored mob rule.
Results of the 1828 Election
Electoral Outcomes
Jackson: 178 electoral votes, 647,286 popular votes (56%)
Adams: 83 electoral votes, 508,064 popular votes (44%)
The Personal Attack on Rachel Jackson
During the election, Andrew's wife Rachel faced harsh attacks from opponents regarding her past.
This established a precedent for personal attacks in politics.
Rachel died shortly before Jackson's inauguration, deeply affecting him and impacting his presidency.
The Inauguration and Public Reception
Jackson's 1829 inauguration was marked by chaos at the White House, with thousands of attendees.
Alcoholic beverages served included whiskey punch and orange punch, leading to a rowdy atmosphere.
The event symbolized both Jackson's support for democracy and his opponents' claims of "mob rule."
Key Policies during Jackson's Presidency
The Nullification Crisis
Causes
Sparked by federal tariffs (especially the Tariff of Abominations in 1828) that protected Northern interests but harmed the Southern economy by increasing prices of imported goods.
South Carolina attempted to nullify federal tariffs, leading to a standoff with Jackson.
Resolution
Compromise Tariff of 1833 gradually lowered tariffs over ten years.
Force Bill allowed Jackson to use military force if necessary to enforce tariff collection.
Significance: Highlighted sectional tensions and reinforced federal supremacy.
Native American Policy
Indian Removal Act
Goal: Acquire more land for white settlers by removing Native Americans from their lands.
Worcester v. Georgia
Supreme Court ruled that the Cherokee Nation was an independent nation and did not have to follow Georgia laws.
Jackson ignored the ruling and removed Cherokee and other tribes forcibly, leading to the Trail of Tears.
Trail of Tears
Forced removal of approximately 17,000 Cherokee to Indian Territory (Oklahoma).
Estimated 6,000 deaths during the march due to harsh conditions.
The National Bank Debate
Purpose of a National Bank
Create a uniform currency, stabilize the economy, serve as the government's bank, and provide loans.
Jackson's Opposition
Argued against the National Bank as unconstitutional, favoring the elite and concentrating too much power.
Actions Taken
Jackson vetoed the charter renewal in 1832, moved federal deposits to state banks, and allowed the National Bank's charter to expire by 1836.
The Aftermath of Jackson’s Presidency
Panic of 1837
Economic downturn triggered by the collapse of irresponsible banking practices and loss of credit.
Resulted in the failure of many banks and increased unemployment.
Conclusion: King vs. Common Man
Jackson was both seen as a champion of the common man and as a king-like figure due to his authoritative approach and expansions of executive power.
His legacy is complex, reflecting both democratic ideals and controversial policies that impacted various groups.