U.S. History 7.4

Force Bill (1833)

This bill allowed the federal government to use the army and navy against South Carolina if state authorities resisted paying proper duties.

compact theory

The states agreed to the constitution therefore the states are the final judges of what is constitutional, over the government

Why did South Carolinians refer to the Tariff of 1828 as the "Tariff of Abomination?"

As an agricultural region dependent on cotton, the South had to compete in the world market. The high tariff on manufactured goods reduced British exports to the US and forced the South to buy the more expensive Northern manufactured goods. The South felt that the North was getting rich at the expense of the South.

How did Jackson's actions contribute greatly to the Panic of 1837?

Because Jackson's pet banks (where he deposited federal money) were wildcat banks that printed more paper money than they had gold and silver (specie) to back up. This money they printed was practically worthless and the bank was left holding the bag when people used that money to purchase land from the government. When Jackson said only gold and silver could be used to buy land people started trading their paper money for gold and silver and many banks didn't have enough gold and silver so they stopped redeeming the paper money.

Why was John Tyler nicknamed "His Accidency?"

Because he opposed many part of the Whig Party program for economic recovery. When he became president after Harrison died the Whig Party regretted choosing him as Harrison's vice president and gave him this nickname.

Panic of 1837

By May of 1837 NY banks stopped accepting all paper currency. Other banks soon did the same. Bank closings and the collapse of the credit system cost many people their savings, bankrupted hundreds of businesses, and put more than a third of the population out of work.

"Our Union, next to our liberty, most dear!"

Calhoun's response to Jackson when he said "out Union, it must be preserved." Calhoun said that the Union could only be preserved "by respecting the rights of the States and distributing equally the benefit and burden of the Union."

"Tariff of Abomination" 1828

Called that by Calhoun. (Also called Tariff of 1828). It raised the tariff on imported manufactured goods. The tariff protected the North but harmed the South; South said that the tariff was economically discriminatory and unconstitutional because it violated state's rights.

"Hard Cider" Campaign

Hard cider (alcohol) and a log cabin were the symbols of the election campaign of William Henry Harrison. It was supposed to show that he was a man of the people.

John Tyler

Harrison's VP and successor. He opposed many parts of the Whig program for economic recovery. The Whigs had picked him as VP to attract Southern voters but didn't expect him to really have an important role.

What were the views of Senator Daniel Webster of Massachusetts and Senator Robert Hayne of South Carolina and they debated each?

Hayne supported states' rights and nullification and Webster was a supporter of the federal government powers and its right to create laws that protect the union.

What was John C. Calhoun's nullification theory as set forth in "The South Carolina Exposition"?

His theory was that the US Constitution was based on a compact among the sovereign states and so each of the 13 sovereign states had the right to nullify or reject a federal law that it considered unconstitutional.

Independent Treasury Act of 1840

In the wake of the Specie Circular and the Panic of 1837, President Van Buren proposed, and Congress passed this act. The system that was created took the federal government out of banking. All payments to the government were to be made in hard cash and it was to be stored in government vaults until needed.

Specie Circular

Issued by President Jackson July 11, 1836, was meant to stop land speculation caused by states printing paper money without proper specie (gold or silver) backing it. It required that the purchase of public lands be paid for in specie. It stopped the land speculation and the sale of public lands went down sharply. The panic of 1837 followed.

Why was the Whig Party created? What groups joined it?

It was created by Clay, JQ Adams and Webster and other members of the Democratic Party because they didn't like Jackson's tactics.

What were Jackson's and Calhoun's differing opinions on states' rights versus federal power?

Jackson believed in protecting the Union and strong federal government. Calhoun believed that the rights of the states had to be protected

What was Andrew Jackson's response to South Carolina?

Jackson declared that South Carolina's action was an act of treason and threatened to hang Calhoun and sent federal troops into So Carolina to enforce the tariff. He passed the Force Bill.

Our Union: It must be preserved

Jackson quote about nullification. After Hayne-Webster debate people wanted to know what Jackson thought.

Why did Jackson attack the Second National Bank?

Jackson vetoed a bill to recharter the Bank. He believed that the BUS was a "monster" that corrupted "our statesmen" and wanted to "destroy our republican institution."

Martin Van Buren

Jackson's VP. Selected and candidate for president when Jackson said he would not run for a third term.

"King Andrew"

Jackson's critics thought he was acting more like a King than a president and accused him of tyranny. A political cartoon was published of him dressed like a king stepping on torn pages of the Constitution holding a scepter in one hand a a veto in the other.

pet banks

Name given to banks that were loyal to the Democratic Party. In order to "kill" BUS Jackson hired a Secretary of the treasury that would deposit all government funds in certain state banks that were loyal to the Democratic Party.

Daniel Webster

Nationalist who defended federal government's power to make laws that applied to all states in the Union. Best known for his skills as an orator "godlike Daniel" started out as an advocate for states' rights.

How was William Henry Harrison's campaign similar to Jackson's first campaign, even though Harrison was a Whig and Jackson a Democrat?

They both portrayed themselves as common men.

How did South Carolina, as representative of southern sentiment, react to the 1832 Tariff?

So Carolina declared that the tariffs of 1828 and 1832 were "unauthorized by the Constitution" and "null and void, and no law." They threatened to secede if customs officials tried to collected the duties.

Treasury System

The Act of August 1846 provided that the public revenues be retained in the Treasury building and in sub-Treasuries in various cities. The Treasury was to pay out its own funds and be completely independent of the banking and financial system of the nation. All payments by and to the government were to be made in either specie or Treasury Notes. The separation of the Treasury from the banking system was never completed, however; the Treasury's operations continued to influence the money market, as specie payments to and from the government affected the amount of hard money in circulation.

"Tippecanoe and Tyler, Too!"

The campaign slogan used by the Whigs in the Election of 1840. Highlighted the presidential candidate's (William Henry Harrison) war accomplishments (Battle of Tippecanoe), and the vice president (Tyler) who was running with him.

In what ways did Jackson influence the political process long after he left the White House?

The decisions that Jackson made about money and the banks (and Indian Removal) had consequences that lasted a long time after he left office. The men who ran after him had to deal with. The Panic of 1837 and the Trail of Tears are two examples of things that happened after his presidency was over but that were a result of actions and decisions during his presidency. Also, the Tariff of 1828 started the conflict between federal government and states' rights. This was also something that continued to be a problem even after Jackson left the White House.

What caused the Panic of 1837?

When banks stopped accepting all paper currency.

John C. Calhoun

Wrote the nullification theory. VP of both Adams and Jackson and a leading Southern politician from South Carolina during the first half of the 19th century; was an advocate of slavery, states' rights, limited government, and nullification. Was originally a nationalist but changed his mind when he saw his home state's (So. Carolina) economy suffering

How was the nullification theory an expression of states' rights?

because it allowed the states to object to a federal law that they thought was unconstitutional and they could decide not to follow it or even secede from the union.

nullification theory

devised by Calhoun. Questioned the legality of applying some federal laws in sovereign states. Calhoun argued that the US Constitution was based on a pact by 13 sovereign states. He thought that if the Constitution was established by 13 sovereign states then each state had the right to nullify or reject a federal law that it considered unconstitutional. Calhoun believed that if the federal government refused to let a state nullify a federal law the state had the right to withdraw from the Union.

specie

gold and silver

wildcat banks

many of the pet banks where federal funds had been deposited when Jackson was president. These banks printed bank notes wildly in excess of the gold and silver they had on deposit and were doomed to fail when many people attempted to redeem their currency for gold or silver.

Whig Party

new political party formed by Clay, Adams and Webster because they were unhappy with Jackson's tactics. Supported the American System, protective tariff, federal control of the banks and a national currency. They also wanted to use federal money to construct roads and canals to foster the exchange of goods between regions.

"His Accidency"

nickname given to John Tyler in 1841 by his opponents when he assumed the presidency upon the death of William Henry Harrison; the first vice president to succeed to the presidency, his nickname reflected his conflict with the Whig party leaders over rechartering the National Bank, raising the tariff, and supporting internal improvements at government expense.

Webster-Hayne Debate

one of the greatest debates in American history. Robert Hayne of So. Carolina and Daniel Webster of Mass debated the tariff and states rights

Nicholas Biddle

president of BUS. He was in charge during the bank war, where Jackson refused to deposit federal funds. In an attempt to save BUS he demanded repayment of loans and refused to make new loans hoping that the public would be so angry that they would demand a new bank charter.

O.K.

stands for "Old Kinderhook," aka Martin Van Buren, Jackson's vice president and successor; his hometown in New York

"The South Carolina Exposition"

the name of the document about Calhoun's nullification theory. He did not sign his name to it.