Constitutional Disputes and Crises

1. Constitutional Disputes and Crises Chapter 3, Section 5

2. The Nullification Crisis • Protective tariffs (designed to protect northern industry) had angered the South for years. The Tariff of 1828 was no different. • The South nicknamed the Tariff of Abominations because it was especially high. • In 1832, South Carolina nullified the tariff. • They even threatened to secede from the Union if the tariff was not reduced.

3. The Crisis Resolved • Jackson generally supported states’ rights, but he did not support secession. • Jackson threatened to use federal troops against South Carolina. He had passed the Force Bill to give him whatever power necessary to collect taxes. • Ultimately, the tariff was lowered and SC ended the nullification process. This was the end to the Nullification Crisis of 1833.

4. The Bank War • Although Jackson did not side with the South on the issue of nullification, he did support Jeffersonian/agrarian principles. • Many Democrats saw the ‘new’ type of economy brought about corruption and greed.

5. The Bank War • When it came time for the re-chartering of the B.U.S. in 1832, Congress passed it, but Jackson used his power of veto. • Jackson saw it as dangerous and corrupt ‘many headed hydra’ • Jackson’s use of the veto shocked many of its supporters, because it had been used so infrequently.

6. The Whig Party Forms • Henry Clay and Daniel Webster (two Bank supporters) formed a new political party in 1832 known as the Whigs. • They wanted a strong federal government; • Favored protective tariffs, internal improvements and a national bank. (Sound familiar?) • Jackson was re-elected in 1836 and weakened the Bank by withdrawing all federal funds and placing them in state banks. • These were known as his ‘pet banks’.

7. Politics After Jackson • Without federal regulation, the state banks began producing more paper money than needed, causing inflation. • This led to the Panic of 1837. • When Martin Van Buren took over in 1837, there was a sharp drop in land prices. • This affected both planters/farmers as well as urban workers. • It was the worst depression the U.S. had experienced to date.

8. Whigs Rise to Power • The Panic led to the revival of the Whig Party. • They nominated William Henry Harrison (Old Tip), who won the electoral vote in a landslide. • It was a short-lived victory for the Whigs, though, when Harrison died from pneumonia. His vice president, John Tyler, rejected the Whig policies.

9. Components of a Resume • Objective--> tells what the goal of the resume is (what do you want?) • Education--> what is the educational background/schools attended • Experiences--> relevant to the job; what qualifies you to have this job? • Accomplishments--> awards; things you are proud of. • Weaknesses--> the non-highlights; things that could be improved

10. Review Today’s Topics • The passage of the ______________________ led to the Nullification Crisis of 1833. • Tariff of 1828 • Stamp Act • Cotton tax • Tariff of 1816 • Why did Jackson veto the 2nd Bank of the US’ charter? • He felt it cost too much money • He believed the economy was too unstable with a national bank • He felt the bank encouraged corruption and greed • He wanted to move funds from state banks to the national bank. Ticket-Out-the-Door: Did Jackson transform the presidency as an office? Why or why not?