Vocab Part 3 Flashcards
In this court case in 1831, the Cherokees fought for defense against the Indian Removal Act and against the Georgia Legislature’s nullification of Cherokee laws. Chief Justice John Marshall ruled that the Cherokee had “an unquestionable right” to their lands, but that they were “not a foreign state, in the sense of the Constitution” but rather a “domestic, dependent nation” and so could not sue in a United States court over Georgia’s voiding their right to self-rule. Although this was a blow to the Cherokee case against Georgia, it cast doubt on the constitutionality of the Indian Removal Act.
Cherokee Nation v. Georgia
The head of the Second Bank of the United States. He effectively forced smaller banks to refrain from excessive printing of banknotes, a major contributor to inflation. Some people, however, felt that the Bank, and in particular its president, had too much power to restrict the speculative and potentially profitable business dealings of smaller banks.
Nicholas Biddle
The practice of appointing one’s supporters to staff positions; a system of political back scratching. Although Jackson did not employ it on the grand scale as some who followed him as chief executive, he certainly had a hand in developing its practice.
Spoils System
John Quincy Adam’s appointment of Henry Clay, who had endorsed his presidential bid, to Secretary of State caused an uproar among Andrew Jackson’s supporters, who believed that Clay and Adams had made a dishonest deal to get Adams into office—Clay scratching Adams’ back by giving him the presidential nod, and Adams returning the favor with a prime position in his cabinet.
“Corrupt Bargain”
A high tariff on manufactured items such as wool and textiles. Southerners felt they were being treated unfairly and rallied against this law and against Jackson himself.
Tariff of 1828 “tariff of abominations”
The Vice President of the United States and author of the South Carolina Exposition, this man grew up in South Carolina and supported the efforts to nullify the Tariff of 1828. He disagreed strongly with Andrew Jackson on many points, including states rights, nullification, and federal aid to local projects. He supported all of these and took a sectionalistic view; Jackson opposed them and took a nationalistic view.
John C. Calhoun
Between 1824 and 1828, the supporters of each candidate polarized into two political parties. This party supported John Quincy Adams. Its roots were firmly entrenched in Alexander Hamilton’s Federalist ideals, including supporting a national bank and a strong central government that would finance improvements within United States borders. The party believed that a strong federal government could—and should—use its power to resolve society’s concerns.
Whigs
He was Chief Justice for the Dred Scott case. A decision was made on March 6, 1857. He ruled against Dred Scott. Scott was suing for freedom because of his long residence in free territory. He was denied freedom because he was property and his owner could take him into any territory and legally hold him as a slave. This court ruling was major cause in starting the Civil War.
Roger Taney
Executive order that required payment in gold/silver in order to buy land since paper money was inflating. It produced a finacial panic that began in the first months of Van Buren’s presidency. It caused banks and business to fail and unemployment grew.
Specie Circular
When Jackson was president, many state banks received government money that had been withdrawn from the Bank of the U.S. These banks issued paper money and financed wild speculation, especially in federal lands. Jackson issued the Specie Circular to force the payment for federal lands with gold or silver. Many state banks collapsed as a result. The Bank of the U.S. failed, cotton prices fell, businesses went bankrupt, and there was widespread unemployment and distress. This depression lasted five years and it was a politcal catastrophe for Van Buren and the Democrats.
Panic of 1837
Distinguished senator from Kentucky, who ran for president five times until his death in 1852. He was a strong supporter of the American System, a war hawk for the War of 1812, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and known as “The Great Compromiser.” Outlined the Compromise of 1850 with five main points. Died before it was passed however.
Henry Clay
The extension of the right to vote to all males regardless of social standing or race, whose movement had begun in the early-mid 1800’s
Universal white male suffrage
In 1832, this broke out when South Carolinians responded angrily to a congressional tariff bill that offered them no relief form the 1828 “tariff of abominations.” The legislature summoned an immediate state convention, which voted to nullify the tariff’s of 1828 and 1832 and to forbid the collection of duties within a state.
Nullification Crisis
An argument between Daniel Webster and Robert Hayne, about the issue states’ rights versus national power. Webster said that Hayne was a challenge to the integrity of the Union. Hayne responded with a defense of the theory of nullification. Webster then spent two full afternoons delievering what became known as his “Second Reply to Hayne.” He concluded with the ringing appeal: “Liberty and Union, now and for ever, one and inseparable.”
Webester-Hayne Debate
Social scandal; John Eaton, Secretary of War, stayed with the Timberlakes when in Washington, and there were rumors of his affair with her Timberlake before her husband died in 1828; cabinet members snubbed the socially unacceptable Mrs. Eaton; Jackson sided with Eatons; affair helped dissolve cabinet.
Peggy Eaton Affair
