Jacksonian Democracy

Directions: Read the primary source excerpt and select the best answer choice from the questions that follow.

“We hold … that on their separation from the Crown of Great Britain, the several colonies became free and independent States, each enjoying the separate and independent right of self-government; and that no authority can be exercised over them … but by their consent … It is equally true, that the Constitution of the United States is a compact formed between the several states … that the government created by it is a joint agency of the States, appointed to execute the power enumerated and granted by that instrument; that all its acts not intentionally authorized are of themselves essentially null and void, and that the states have the right … to pronounce, in the last resort, authoritative judgment on the usurpations of the Federal Government … Such we deem to be inherent rights of the States.”

- John C. Calhoun, statement adopted by a convention in South Carolina, 1832

Which of the following was the immediate cause of the publication of the statement in this excerpt?

• the election of Andrew Jackson

• the decision to halt slave importation

• a Supreme Court decision on states' rights

• an increase in the tariff passed by Congress

Directions: Read the primary source excerpt and select the best answer choice from the questions that follow.

“We hold … that on their separation from the Crown of Great Britain, the several colonies became free and independent States, each enjoying the separate and independent right of self-government; and that no authority can be exercised over them … but by their consent … It is equally true, that the Constitution of the United States is a compact formed between the several states … that the government created by it is a joint agency of the States, appointed to execute the power enumerated and granted by that instrument; that all its acts not intentionally authorized are of themselves essentially null and void, and that the states have the right … to pronounce, in the last resort, authoritative judgment on the usurpations of the Federal Government … Such we deem to be inherent rights of the States.”

- John C. Calhoun, statement adopted by a convention in South Carolina, 1832

As described in the excerpt, which individual or body makes the final decision on whether a law is valid in a state?

• States

• Congress

• President

• Supreme Court

“We hold … that on their separation from the Crown of Great Britain, the several colonies became free and independent States, each enjoying the separate and independent right of self-government; and that no authority can be exercised over them … but by their consent … It is equally true, that the Constitution of the United States is a compact formed between the several states … that the government created by it is a joint agency of the States, appointed to execute the power enumerated and granted by that instrument; that all its acts not intentionally authorized are of themselves essentially null and void, and that the states have the right … to pronounce, in the last resort, authoritative judgment on the usurpations of the Federal Government … Such we deem to be inherent rights of the States.”

- John C. Calhoun, statement adopted by a convention in South Carolina, 1832

Which of the following is or are most similar to the statement in the excerpt?

• Monroe Doctrine

• Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

• Specie Circular

• Tallmadge Amendment

"It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their selfish purposes. Distinctions in society will always exist under every just government. Equality of talents, of education, or of wealth can not be produced by human institutions. In the full enjoyment of the gifts of heaven and the fruits of superior industry, economy, and virtue, every man is equally entitled to protection by law.

But when the laws undertake to add to these natural and just advantages artificial distinctions, to grant titles, gratuities, and exclusive privileges, to make the rich richer and the potent more powerful, the humble members of society-the farmers, mechanics and laborers-who have neither the time nor the means of securing like favors to themselves, have a right to complain of the injustice of their government.

There are no necessary evils in government. Its evils exist only in its abuses. If it would confine itself to protection, and, as Heaven does its rains, shower its favors alike on the high and low, the rich and the poor, it would be an unqualified blessing. In the act before me there seems to be a wide and unnecessary departure from these just principles.

-President Andrew Jackson, Message vetoing the Bank, July 10, 1932

President Jackson's guiding principle to check "the injustices of government" was

• the two-party system

• limited government

• universal suffrage

• civil service system

"It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their selfish purposes. Distinctions in society will always exist under every just government. Equality of talents, of education, or of wealth can not be produced by human institutions. In the full enjoyment of the gifts of heaven and the fruits of superior industry, economy, and virtue, every man is equally entitled to protection by law.

But when the laws undertake to add to these natural and just advantages artificial distinctions, to grant titles, gratuities, and exclusive privileges, to make the rich richer and the potent more powerful, the humble members of society-the farmers, mechanics and laborers-who have neither the time nor the means of securing like favors to themselves, have a right to complain of the injustice of their government.

There are no necessary evils in government. Its evils exist only in its abuses. If it would confine itself to protection, and, as Heaven does its rains, shower its favors alike on the high and low, the rich and the poor, it would be an unqualified blessing. In the act before me there seems to be a wide and unnecessary departure from these just principles.

-President Andrew Jackson, Message vetoing the Bank, July 10, 1932

Which of the following groups provided the greatest support for Jackson's veto of the Bank?

• manufacturers

• nativists

• westerners

• southerners

An important political change of the 1820s was that

• free blacks and women were allowed full political freedom

• senators began to be elected by popular vote rather than by state legislatures

• most states removed the property qualification for voting from their constitutions

• issues became the key subjects of political campaigns rather than personalities

After his reelection in 1832, President Jackson weakened the second Bank of the United states by

• firing Bank President Nicholas Biddle

• revoking its existing charter

• moving its headquarters from Philadelphia to New York

• removing government deposits from it

The Jacksonian charge of a “corrupt bargain” to gain John Quincy Adams the presidency arose

• because Adams was charged with having bribed members of the House to vote for him.

• because Adams ended his previous opposition to Clay’s American System.

• because Adams paid Crawford for his support.

• because Clay was named Secretary of State after throwing his support to Adams.

The Nullification Crisis in South Carolina ended when

• Andrew Jackson used military force to crush the nullifiers.

• Jackson was forced to back down and accept the basic principle of nullification.

• Henry Clay pushed through a compromise tariff that enabled South Carolina to save face.

• South Carolina was the first state to secede from the union.

In promoting his policy of Indian removal, President Andrew Jackson

• defied rulings of the United States Supreme Court that favored the Cherokees.

• admitted that the action would destroy Native American culture and society.

• acted against the advice of his cabinet and his military commanders in the Southeast.

• declared war on the Cherokee nation.