Unit V Terms from "American History: A Survey"

A term that refers to Andrew Jackson's election as president due to changes made in the electoral process by the states, which allowed the "common man" to vote. Jackson's administration made politics less elitist and selective as well as more democratic through the use of the spoils system and office rotation.

The reforms of the 1820s and 1830s implemented by Jackson's administration that made the common man more involved in politics. Some of the reforms included the elimination of property and religious qualifications for voting, implementation of the nominating convention, direct election of legal officials, office rotation and the spoils system.

A term referring to Jackson's presidency in which common people were represented to a greater extend and were more prevalent in the central government with policies such as office rotation and mass nominating conventions.

An election featuring Clay, Crawford, Adams and Jackson. None of the candidates had the majority of electoral votes needed to win, so the vote went to the House of Representatives. Adams ended up winning the election after what some argued was a "corrupt bargain."

A tragic 800-mile journey of the Cherokees during the winter of 1838, authorized by the Indian Removal Act signed by Jackson. The Cherokee were removed from Georgia to the Oklahoma Territory in order to open up more land for white settlers. This action was a violation of the Supreme Court decision in Worcester v. Georgia.

A case in which the Supreme Court supported the Cherokee Nation as a sovereign political entity within the boundaries of Georgia; therefore, the treaty recognizing their lands in Georgia was upheld. Jackson rejected the verdict and proceeded to remove the Cherokee to the Oklahoma Territory. This mass exodus became known as the Trail of Tears.

A bill that proposed federal aid for the construction of a road in Kentucky to develop intrastate commerce. Jackson's veto of this bill was based on his belief that improvements within a state are not the responsibility of the federal government. This veto aided the states' rights arguments presented by Southern states.

Also known as the Tariff of 1828, a law passed at the urging of northern manufacturers, damaging the Southern economy which relied on imports to equip the plantations. The tariff caused a double-digit increase on goods from Europe. As a result of this, John Calhoun proposed the use of nullification and declared the tariff unconstitutional. Sectionalism increased and issues were raised about states' rights in the South and federal supremacy in the North.

The derogatory label attached to Jackson's system of rewarding loyal party followers with government jobs. It was mainly associated with Jackson's administration between 1828 and 1836, although it was used throughout American history, before and after Jackson. It was criticized because oftentimes unqualified or inexperienced people were put in government offices.

The name given to President Jackson's group of unofficial advisors, especially during his first term. Jackson turned to these advisors due to the strife and division within his formal cabinet. The group was composed of his friends from Kentucky and the military.

In the election of 1824, none of the four candidates (Jackson, Adams, Clay, Crawford) had the necessary electoral votes to win the election. Because of Clay's hatred for Jackson, he threw his support toward Adams in return for the position of Secretary of State. This event marked the end of the "Era of Good Feelings" characterized by political harmony, and became a hotly debated issue in the 1828 election.

A bill proposed by Henry Clay which proposed a rechartering of the Second Bank of the United States. The bill passed through Congress, but was vetoed by Jackson because he believed that the Banks' shares were owned by wealthy investors that benefited at the expense of the common man. It was a key issue in Jackson's bid for reelection in 1832. The bank was killed by Jackson's veto, with the last branches closing in 1837.

The crisis which ensued when Vice President John Calhoun advocated the nullification of the Tariff of 1828, which hurt the Southern economy. Calhoun encouraged his home state, South Carolina, not to enforce the tariff. In response, Jackson threatened to send troops to South Carolina to enforce the tariff. The result was a compromise in which the tariff was kept in place but at lowered rates (Tariff of 1833). this highlighted the increasing sectional tensions and growing debate over states' rights.

A new tariff proposed by Henry Clay in 1833, which would lower tariff rates annually for the next ten years, falling from 1828 levels down to those in place with the more moderate Tariff of 1816. This ended the nullification crisis and temporarily quieted sectional discord.

A bill that called for the use of federal troops to enforce the Tariff of 1828 in South Carolina, issued by Jackson in response to Calhoun's proposal of nullification. However, the troops were never actually sent because of the compromise found in the Tariff of 1833.

Following Jackson's veto of the Second National Bank and a dramatic increase in inflation and land speculation, Jackson mandated the use of gold and silver in the purchase of government land. The intent was to ensure that the government received full payment for the sale of its land in the West, and to help stabilize the economy.

A financial crisis during van Buren's administration, a result of the closure of many state banks after Jackson's Specie Circular, as well as land speculation in the West. Helped prevent van Buren from being reelected, as several years of depression ensued.