From 1810 to 1815, the northern states of America were threatened by a
shift of power from the wealthy Federalists and aristocratic Republicans to the rising
authority of the poorer masses. With the election of Andrew Jackson in 1828, a
revolution had occurred, now the nationalistic feelings rested in the people from the
Northern states creating sectionalism; During the 1820's, a complete paradox was
prevalent, where the south who originally were very patriotic quickly felt threatened by
new American ideals and began to shift their gears completely. The idea of "nullification"
and separation from the union was becoming increasingly apparent throughout the
south.
Andrew Jackson was elected president in 1828 by a large margin over
his political rival John Quincy Adams. He became the first president from a western
territory, along with a nationalistic vehemence that rose in the South and Southwest, as
Jackson's policies were favorable towards them. Jackson himself was regarded as
"frontier aristocrat" as he lived in a large mansion outside Nashville and owned
many slaves.
English: Andrew Jackson - 7 th President of the Un...
Portrait of Andrew Jackson, the seventh president ...
English: The etching of the 1835 assassination att...During his first term as president, Jackson was determined to restore
the legitimacy of the Union and re-establish the authority of the federal government.
He believed in order to preserve strength in America, he felt the federal government
must make the final decisions, which in turn would limit the power of the states.
Disbelief over Jackson's proposed programs, southern states utilized their
ability to nullify laws that they saw unmerited and unrighteous. The southern states
angered by Jackson's "federalist" notions, refused to follow many new programs
introduced during Jackson's term. Open protest against certain programs forced
President Jackson to mobilize the American Navy to enforce the laws. Unlike their
southern brethren, the northern states, preferably New England accepted Jackson's
policies as a means to improve the economy, strengthen American trade, and...