The

Age of Jackson
Andrew Jackson
•  March 15, 1767-June 8,
1845

•  7th President of the USA
•  Known as the People’s
President

•  Founded the Democratic
Party

•  Famous war hero
•  Fought in Revolutionary war
•  Won Battle of New Orleans
War of 1812
Splitting of the Parties
•  Split following the
presidential election of
1824

•  One side backed John
Quincy Adams
•  National Republican
Party/Whigs

•  Other side backed
Jackson
•  Democrats
Jackson Elected President
•  President from
1829-1837

•  Known as People’s
President
•  Championed rights of
common man over the
wealthy few.

•  Presidency now known
for 3 things:
•  Increasing Sectionalism
•  Fight against National Bank
•  Trail of Tears
Increasing Sectionalism
•  Sectionalism:
•  A devotion to the interests of
one geographic region over the
interests of the country as a
whole.

•  Growing tension between
Northern & Southern states

•  1832: Nullification Crisis
•  South Carolina threatens to
leave union over federally
imposed tariffs
•  Jackson threatens to send
troops.
•  Eventually works out
compromise to reduce tariffs,
South Carolina backs down.
Fight over the National Bank
•  2nd National Bank established in
1816 and given 20 year charter

•  Jackson opposes bank.
•  Thinks state banks make it easier for
farmers to get loans

•  Sept. 10, 1833 Jackson orders
that all the money be taken out
of federal bank and distributed to
state “pet” banks.
•  Declares it can no longer receive or
distribute money.
•  Charter expires in 1836 and bank
officially dies.

•  1834 Congress censures Jackson
saying he abused presidential
power in regards to bank.
Discussion Question
•  Do you think Jackson was justified in destroying the national
bank? Why or why not?

•  Which side do you agree with? His supporters who claimed

that Jefferson was protecting the “little man”? Or his critics
who claimed he was overstepping his power and seeking to
help his “pet banks”?
Trail of Tears
•  1830 Jackson signs into law the
Indian Removal Act
•  Forcibly relocates 5 tribes West to
specified Indian Territory (current day
Oklahoma)

•  Indians forced to walk hundreds of
miles. Disease/Starvation kill
thousands.

•  Of the 15,000 Cherokee who were
removed 4,000 of them died along
the way.

•  Over 46,000 Indians removed from

land.

•  Opens up over 25 million acres for
white settlements.
Mapping: Draw square around new Indian Territory.
Roughly outline Trail of Tear Route on Map.
Discussion Question
•  Jackson was viewed as a national hero during his presidency
and is still one of the most famous presidents to this day. Do
you agree with that or not? Defend your answer.

•  Within the past 20 years, Jackson has started to be criticized

more due to the Indian Removal Act. Do you think Jackson
was justified in removing the Indians? Why or why not?