Study GuideU.S. History I–Jacksonian Democracy1. Jackson as PresidentWhen Andrew Jackson became president in1829, his inauguration was unlike any before. Arowdycrowd filled the White House, shocking Washington society. Many attendees were looking forgovernment jobs, and Jackson’s speech mentioned“rotation in office”, meaning the replacementof some officeholders with political supporters.•Critics called this the“spoils system.”•Jackson didn’t completely replace all officials, and most turnover during his two terms wasmodest.•He relied heavily onfriends, newspaper editors, and political alliesfor advice, forming aninformal advisory group called theKitchen Cabinet. OnlyMartin Van Buren, Secretary ofState, was a government official in this group.1.1Van Buren and Internal ImprovementsVan Buren worked to strengthen his political influence andweaken Vice President John Calhoun,especially over issues likeinternal improvements(roads, canals, etc.).•Van Buren drafted Jackson’sveto message on the Maysville Road bill, which would havefunded a road entirely within Kentucky.•Jackson argued the federal government shouldn’t fund projects benefiting just one state.•Despite the veto, federal spending on infrastructurewas higher under Jackson than underAdams.1.2The Eaton AffairJackson’s conflict with Calhoun became personal oversocial snubsin Washington:•Peggy Eaton, wife of Jackson’s Secretary of War, was shunned by other cabinet wives.•Jackson, still grieving the death of his wife Rachel, took the snubs personally.•This feud escalated, contributing to the growing rift between Jackson and Calhoun, especiallyduring thenullification crisis.Preview Mode
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