Terms

The Tariff of Abominations

This was an excessively high tariff passed under John Quincy Adams in 1828. It was opposed by John C. Calhoun in The South Carolina Exposition and Protest.

The Bank War

Jackson wanted to get rid of the national bank. He allowed Roger B. Taney to transfer funds from the national bank to "pet banks." He successively dismantled the bank.

Maysville Road Veto

Along with the Indial Removal Act, this 1830 veto by Jackson strenghtened his reputation as a strong defender of states' rights.

Nicholas Biddle

He was the president of the national bank during Jackson's time as president. He, along with Henry Clay, tried to recharter the Bank of the U.S. He wanted to keep the bank above politics, but failed when helping Henry Clay in his campaing in 1832 (the recharter was vetoed by Jackson).

Whigs

Led by Henry Clay, the Whigs were formerly National Republicans. They were supporters of internal improvements.

National Republicans

They were led by John Quincy Adams until 1828 when Henry Clay took over as the presidential candidate.

Democratic Republicans

They were led by Jackson, who was elected in both 1828 and 1832.

Anti-Mason Party

This party was composed of almost all haters of Andrew Jackson and his policies.

John C. Calhoun

He was the vice president of the U.S. under Jackson, but by that time, his political views had reversed, causing tension between Jackson and himself. In 1828, he anonymously wrote The South Carolina Exposition and Protest. He believed in the power of nullification by state governments.

Nullification

This issue divided the nation. Nullification was the right to nullify a federal law by a state government.

The South Carolina Exposition and Protest

Written by Calhoun, this work urged nullification and claimed that the 1828 Tariff of Abominations was unconstitutional.

Nullification Crisis

South Carolina was going too far with nullification, and Jackson actually gave permission to send arms to Unionists and use force to collect customs duties from the South Carolinians.

Compromise Tariff, 1833

Brought about by Henry Clay, this compromise got Southerners to pay their debts by making this tariff come down in price a little each year for ten years. Jackson also had the right to use force to enforce this tariff, but South Carolina nullified the Force Bill.

Webster-Hayne Debate

This was a debate about the sale of western lands, the power of the government, and states' rights.

Spoils System

This was Jackson's policy of "rotation in office." This raised the power of democracy because it put common men in office.

Daniel Webster

He was against nullification and states' rights. He was a strong Unionist. He was quoted as saying, "States don't make the government; people do."

Henry Clay

He went pro-bank in order to gain support for the 1832 election. When Jackson vetoed the rechartering bill for the U.S. Bank, Clay could not win against Jackson. He lost the 1832 election.

Cherokee Nation v. Georgia

This case brought up the question, "Were the Indians subject to U.S. laws?" Marshall's ruling was that the Indians were not subject to American laws. However, Jackson ignored this ruling and removed the Indians from the U.S. This was actually a better decision than letting the Indians stay, because they would have most likely been attacked and exterminated by angry whitemen.

Trail of Tears

This was the trail which the Indians took back West. Many died from disease of harsh weather along the way; thus, the name, "The Trail of Tears."

Specie Circular

This was issued, and a run on banks occurred, then the banks were closed, and the Panic of 1837 arose.

"pet banks"

These were state bank depositories for federal reserves. They were dubbed "pet banks" because they were loyal to the Democratic Party. The economy expanded due to these pet banks.

Elections of 1828 and 1832

The election of 1828 was a mudslinging election in which personalities were safer to talk about than were major issues, due to sectional differences. Jackson won this election over John Q. Adams. The 1832 election was based more on the major issues. Jackson still won due to personal popularity, but the bank became a major issue.

Martin Van Buren

He was blamed for the Panic of 1837 because he did not do much to help improve the situation.

Independent Treasury Act

Under this proposed act, the national government money would go into vaults, not into circulation. This eventually killed the bank. This was Van Buren's solution to the depression, but it did not work.

Panic of 1837

Under Van Buren, this Panic occurred. The bank was being killed by Jackson, and due to pet banks, there was wild speculation. After this, the Specie Circular was issued, and from there on, the depression only got worse and worse.

Kitchen Cabinet

This term refers to how Jackson got advice from some of his very close friends.

Brook Farm, Oneida, New Harmony

These were all experimantal Utopian communities. Oneida was disgusting.

William Lloyd Garrison, The Liberator

Garrison was a radical abolitionist, and supported women's rights. The Liberator was the newsletter for the abolitionist movement.

Frederick Douglass

He was a former slave who became a renouned abolitionist.

Horace Mann

He was the founder of public education. Don't we all just love him??

Transcendentalism

This was writing which had an optimistic view and was involved in naturalism.

Theodore Dwight Weld

He was another very well known abolitionist.

Joseph Smith- Mormonism

Joseph Smith was the founder of Mormonism. Mormonism was a religion which encouraged polygamy.

Second Great Awakening

This led to many reform movements. It was a revolutionary time in American history.

Charles G. Finney

He was a well-known abolitionist and was influential in the Second Great Awakening.

James G. Birney- The Liberty Party

He was the presidential candidate for the Liberty Party, which was relatively successful as a 3rd party.

Dorothea Dix

She helped the mentally incompetent.

Temperance Movement

This was the prohibitionist movement which was against the drinking of alcoholic beverages.

Women's Movement; Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, Seneca Falls Convention

These women and the Seneca Falls convention played major roles in gaining important rights for women.