JACKSON and Federal Power [APUSH Review Unit 4 Topic 8] Period 4: 1800-1848

Summary

This video by Heimler’s History covers Andrew Jackson's presidency and his relationship to federal power. It explores key political issues of the era, including the rise of the Democrats and Whigs, their differing views on federal authority, and major debates on tariffs, the national bank, and internal improvements. Jackson’s stance on these issues, including his veto of the national bank and support for Indian Removal, shaped the nation’s direction. The video also details the consequences of the Indian Removal Act, including the Trail of Tears and the Cherokee resistance.

Takeaways

• 📜 The political landscape in the 1820s and 1830s saw the rise of two major parties: the Democrats, led by Andrew Jackson, and the Whigs, led by Henry Clay.
• ⚖️ The Democrats valued limited federal power, free trade, and local rule, while opposing corporate monopolies, high tariffs, and the national bank.
• 🏛️ The Whigs, in contrast, supported a stronger central government, protective tariffs, a national bank, and federally funded infrastructure improvements.
• 💸 The Tariff of 1828, also known as the 'Tariff of Abominations,' favored northern manufacturers but harmed the southern economy, sparking the doctrine of nullification led by John C. Calhoun.
• 🛡️ Jackson responded to South Carolina's threat of secession by passing the Force Bill, allowing military action, which pressured the state to back down but they nullified the bill afterward.
• 🏦 Jackson vetoed the recharter of the Second Bank of the United States in 1832, calling it a 'hydra of corruption,' which resonated with the public and helped secure his re-election.
• 🚧 Internal improvements, like roads and canals, were another point of contention, with Whigs supporting them and Jacksonians opposing them as unconstitutional federal overreach.
• 🌾 The Indian Removal Act of 1830 led to the forced relocation of Native Americans, particularly the Cherokee, who were pushed west of the Mississippi, resulting in the Trail of Tears.
• ⚖️ Despite the Cherokee winning a legal case (Worcester v. Georgia) that protected their land rights, the Treaty of New Echota led to their forced removal.
• 🏞️ Some Cherokees resisted removal and later formed the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, eventually becoming U.S. citizens.

Q & A

What were the two main political factions that formed within the Democratic Republicans in the 1820s and 1830s?

The two main factions that formed were the Democrats, led by Andrew Jackson, and the Whigs, led by Henry Clay.

What values did the Democratic Party under Andrew Jackson prioritize?

The Democratic Party valued limited federal power, free trade, local rule, and opposed corporate monopolies, high tariffs, and the national bank.

What were the key policies supported by the Whig Party under Henry Clay?

The Whig Party supported a strong central government, the national bank, protective tariffs, and federally funded internal improvements as part of Henry Clay's American System.

What was the primary debate between the Democrats and Whigs regarding federal power?

The main debate focused on the role of federal power, especially in relation to tariffs, the national bank, and internal improvements.

How did the Tariff of 1828 impact different regions of the United States?

The Tariff of 1828 benefitted northern manufacturers and western farmers by raising prices on foreign goods, but it hurt southern states, which relied on imported goods, leading to economic disadvantages for them.

What was John C. Calhoun's response to the Tariff of 1828, and what doctrine did he develop?

John C. Calhoun, from South Carolina, developed the doctrine of nullification, arguing that a state could nullify a federal law if it was deemed unconstitutional.

How did Andrew Jackson respond to South Carolina's nullification threat regarding the Tariff of 1828?

Andrew Jackson persuaded Congress to pass the Force Bill in 1833, which gave him authority to use military action against South Carolina. However, a compromise was reached when the tariff was reduced, and South Carolina backed down.

Why did Andrew Jackson oppose the Second Bank of the United States, and what action did he take against it?

Andrew Jackson believed the Second Bank of the United States was unconstitutional and favored the wealthy at the expense of lower classes. He vetoed the bill to recharter the bank in 1832, referring to it as a 'hydra of corruption.'

What were the differing views of the Democrats and Whigs on federally funded internal improvements?

Whigs, led by Henry Clay, supported federally funded internal improvements like roads and canals as necessary for national connectivity. Democrats, led by Jackson, saw this as unconstitutional federal overreach.

What was the Indian Removal Act of 1830, and what was its outcome for Native Americans, particularly the Cherokee?

The Indian Removal Act of 1830 mandated that Native American tribes, including the Cherokee, be relocated west of the Mississippi River to the Oklahoma Territory. Despite a Supreme Court ruling in Worcester v. Georgia in favor of the Cherokee, the U.S. government forced their removal, leading to the Trail of Tears, during which many died.