Chapter 12 The Age of Jackson

Tariffs, 2nd Bank and Secession

EQ: How did Jackson’s actions in reference tothe idea of secession delay a civil war?

Tariffs

Many lands had been acquired by time AndrewJackson became President.

Tariffs – taxes on imported goods – became anissue

Revenue tariff – used to raise money, like salestax. These taxes are usually low.

Protective tariff – to persuade people to buy goodsin their own country instead of purchasing foreign-made products. These are high taxes that protectAmerican companies.

Protective tariff vs. no tariff

$2.50 to producein Britain

$1.00 profit

$3.50

Tariff40%

$4.90

$3.00 to producein the U.S.

$1.00 profit

$4.00

Cheaper for products made in the U.S. – encourages people to buy American products

Tariffs

Northerners supported high tariffs becausethe American manufacturers sell their productsat a lower price than imported goods.

Factories & manufacturers were in the North

The South did not support high tariffsbecause its economy depended on foreigntrade.

They needed foreign products

Tariff of Abominations

Tariff of Abominations – a law passed thatraised the tariffs on raw materials andmanufactured goods.

Southerners were outraged

They had to sell their cotton at low prices

The state of South Carolina threatened tosecede, or leave the Union (United States),because of the Tariff of Abominations.

They were upset – bad for the economy

Doctrine of Nullification

John Calhoun did not want S. Carolina to leavethe Union so he passed the Doctrine ofNullification -

This said a state had a right to nullify, orreject, a federal law that it considersunconstitutional

Calhoun believed Congress had no right topass a tariff that helped only 1 section of thecountry

Secession

Secession – withdrawal from the Union

South Carolina threatened to withdraw(or leave) the United States of America ifthe federal government tried to collect thetariffs.

WHY? S. Carolina believed the tariffswere too high.

Civil War Avoided?

Jackson– responded to S.C.’s threat by askingCongress for permission to collect the tariff’s byforce (using the Army).

Jackson also supported a new bill to lower thetariffs; it was a compromise to end the stalematewith South Carolina.

South Carolina tried to get other states to support itsposition, but none did; the crisis subsided.

The Civil War almost started in 1833, instead of1860

Second Bank of the U.S.

Founded in 1816, the Second Bank of the U.S.was opposed by Jackson (he called the bank,“The Monster”.) He vetoed a bill set to renewthe charter of the bank in 1832, and Congresscould not get the needed votes to override it.

Congress wanted the Bank’s Charter tocontinue, but Jackson despised it; he used thebattle to get reelected in 1832 as Jackson wasvery popular.

Interpret this cartoon

Which of the following best

describes the artist’s attitude about

Jackson?

A.Jackson should be King.

B.Jackson is a strong leader.

C.Jackson has vetoed too manybills.

D.Jackson is behaving more likea king than an elected leader.

Election of 1836

Jackson served 2 terms – was very popular

Jackson’s vice-president, Martin VanBuren became the 8th President of the U.S.

A few months after Van Burentook office a panic (fear) aboutthe economy spread.

Panic of 1837 - a widespreadfear about the state of the economy

Depression

People took their paper money to the banksand demand gold or silver.

The banks could not pay the people

The banks went bankrupt.

Depression – severe economic slump

Van Buren’s Presidency marked bydepression; was not marked with manadvances or achievements.

President Review

1.George Washington

2.John Adams

3.Thomas Jefferson

4.James Madison

5.James Monroe

6.John Quincy Adams

7.Andrew Jackson

8.Martin Van Buren

Election of 1840

Henry Clay and Daniel Webster argued that thegovernment needed to help the economy

Van Buren disagreed – would not help

Many Americans blamed Martin Van Buren forthe Panic

Clay, Webster, and Jackson opponentsformed the Whig Party for the election of1840

Election of 1840

The Whig Party was named after a BritishParty & they did not support A. Jackson

The Whigs opposed all the power thechief executive (the President) has

The Whigs chose William HenryHarrison for President andJohn Tyler for Vice President

Harrison was a war hero

Harrison dies in office

William Henry Harrison became the 9thPresident of the United States

Died of pneumonia one month after beinginaugurated

John Tyler, Harrison’s Vice President,took Harrison’s place after he died –becoming the 10th President of the UnitedStates.

Let’s Review… Presidents…