Andrew Jackson
1829-1837
Party
Democratic Party
Vice President
Martin Van Buren and John C. Calhoun
Election Opponents
John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay
America At This Time
- At this time, there was a determination to extinguish Indian claim to lands east of the Mississippi river and relocate them west of the Mississippi
- Issues including stance toward banks, tariffs, currency, internal improvements, and the balance of power between national and local authority
- Tensions between national and sectional loyalty
Key People of the Presidency
- Democratic's and Whigs
- John Quincy Adams
- John C. Calhoun( Involvement in the nullification crisis )
- Martin Van Buren
- Nicholas Biddle( The United States National Bank )
Quotes
"I was born for a storm, and a calm does not suit me."
"It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful to often bend the acts of government to their own selfish purposes"
Economic Policies
- Jackson defeats the Bank of the United States and its president Nicholas Biddle
- The Bank War, Jackson vigorously opposed the bill to recharter the Second Bank Of the United States because it improved the fortunes of the elites at the expense of farmers and laborers
- Due to this veto, there is an emergence of a competitive two-party system
Foreign Policies
- Generally foreign affairs were not a prominent concern of Jackson administration
- 1831 Treaty, France agreed to pay claims for Napoleonic depredations on American ships. However, they later refused the funds and we came close to war with France, but with the urge of Great Britain, an agreement on a payment resolved the issue
- Jackson craved the Mexican border providence of Texas for the United States which became a priority of his
- Jackson prudently declined to endorse the American annexation of Texas
Domestic Policies
- Introduced the Spoils System into national government, making loyalty to the party the main qualification for jobs like postmasters and custom officials
- Jackson opposition to the nullification enhanced his reputation as a strong president
- Jackson Native American policy led to the Trail of tears, resulting in the removal of the Cherokees from their homeland