The Age of Jackson
Chapter 12 Lesson 2
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson became the 7th President
when 24 states were in the United States. Jackson came from a poor family, but taught himself law and became a judge. Jackson was elected in the first vote when all white men, not just property-owners, could vote. Jackson was known as “Old Hickory”, because he was as “tough as hickory [wood]” during the War of 1812.
Sectionalism
People were interested in helping their own
regions instead of the whole country. This is called sectionalism. Jackson vetoed a bill that would have helped factory owners in the North. Congress set a high tariff on imported goods in 1828. The tariff was designed to help northern factory owners, but it forced southerners to pay larger prices for goods they could get only from Europe.
Calhoun vs. Jackson
Vice President Calhoun was angered at the
new tariff. He believed that states should have final authority over the national government. Jackson believed the nation had to remain with a strong national government. Calhoun resigned as Vice President, due to the disagreement over states’ rights.
S. Carolina Threatens to secede
In 1832, another tariff was passed by
Congress. South Carolina said they would leave the Union because of it. President Jackson warned SC that this would be considered treason, and they backed down.
Indian Removal
In 1830 Jackson pushed Congress to pass
the Indian Removal Act. It said that all Indians east of the Mississippi must leave their homes and move west. Many tribes fought the removal with the help of runaway slaves. The Cherokee nation in Georgia fought back in the courts.
Indian Removal
In 1832 the Supreme Court said that the
Cherokees should be protected, but Jackson ignored it. Cherokees were forced to travel more than 800 miles to the new Indian Territory. More than 4,000 Cherokees died during the 116-day journey. The march became known as the “Trail of Tears.”