Jacksonian Democracy and Trail of Tears

Andrew Jackson

● Served as president from 1829-1837
● First president not born wealthy

-Expanded power of the president

● Supported rights of common man
● Responsible for Indian Removal Act and Trail of

Tears

Rule of Law

● Courts interpret laws
● Jackson ignored Supreme Court rulings he disagreed

with

● He did what he thought was right, not what courts

said

● Expanded presidential power

How Did Jacksonian Democracy Affect Government?

● Jackson thought gov't was corrupt and needed

reform

● He expanded democracy and power of the common

man

● But he also expanded the president's power

Separation of Powers

● Constitution divides power
● Jackson took more power for president
● Vetoed laws, asserted authority

Checks & Balances

● Branches can limit each other
● Jackson rejected congressional limits

a. refers to the ability of Congress to place checks

and restraints on presidential power.

● Expanded power of president

Federalism

● Power divided: states & federal
● Jackson distrusted federal power
● Destroyed national bank

2nd Bank of the U.S.

● National bank, seen as too powerful
● Jackson vetoed The Bank Charter Bill
● Thought it was corrupt and took too much power

from the states, thought it was unconstitutional

Destroying National Bank

● Jackson withdrew gov't funds
● Deposited into state banks
● Effectively destroyed bank

Trail of Tears

● Indian Removal Act signed by President Jackson

forced relocation

● Thousands died on journey
● Worcester v. Georgia - ruled act unconstitutional

What was the Trail of Tears?

● Forced relocation of Native Americans from

SE states

● Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee-Creek and

● To Indian Territory west of the Mississippi

The Journey

● Harsh conditions
● Hunger, disease, exposure
● At least 4,000 died

Aftermath

● Tens of thousands relocated
● 25-50% died along trails
● Opened land for white settlers

Impact on Native Americans

● Lost ancestral homeland
● Uprooted tribal communities
● Thousands died on the journey

Jacksonian Democracy

● Jackson expanded democracy
● But consolidated presidential power
● Damaged checks on executive branch

Impacts on Government

● Hurt rule of law
● Expanded executive power
● Rejected court/congressional limits

William Henry Harrison

● 9th President of the U.S.
● Served very short term (32 days) in 1841
● Leader of the Whig Party
● Died in office due to illness
● His short presidency did not have a significant impact