Chapter 68: Andrew Jackson’s Second Term

November – December 1832

Jackson Wins The Election Of 1832

Based on the 1830 Census, the Electoral College map show sizable gains for the Western states and for those where slavery is banned.  

The election is again held from November to December 1832 and the turn-out is up 12% over 1828 to nearly 1.3 million voters.  

Shifting Electoral Power: Old/New and Slave/Free

Despite the turmoil surrounding the “Nullification Crisis,” and the concerted efforts of the three opposing political parties to bring him down, nothing puts a dent in Jackson’s popularity with the public – and he wins in a landslide, with 55% of the popular vote and a 223-67 electoral margin. 

Clay’s National Republicans take only six states out of the total of twenty-four. The Nullifier Party wins in one state – South Carolina – where the legislature (not the public) pick the electors. The Anti-Masons garner 8% of the popular vote, but also carry only one state, Vermont. 

Jackson’s victory also bodes well for his Secretary of State and longtime confidant, Martin Van Buren, of New York, who emerges as a likely successor in 1836.  

Results of the 1832 Presidential Election 

The magnitude of Jackson’s win is evident in its breadth. He dominates in the North and the East, as well as the South and the West. He is favored in the Free states and the Slave states.

1832 Results by Regions of the U.S.* 

1832

The Democrats Dominate Both Houses Of Congress

As was the case in 1828, Jackson’s popularity translates into wins for Democrats in the Congress. 

The tight margin that prevailed during John Quincy Adams’ presidency has now widened comfortably in the Democrats’ favor. 

Seats in Both Houses of Congress 

The message here being that the new contenders – be they from Clay, Calhoun or Weed – will need to find stronger arguments in the future if they hope to unseat the Democrats.

March 4, 1833

Jackson’s Second Inaugural Address

Jackson is sworn in on March 4, 1833, by Chief Justice John Marshall, who administers the oath in the House chamber of the Capitol.

While the immediate turmoil over the Tariff nullification threat from South Carolina has dampened by Jackson’s threat of force and a rate compromise, that topic along with the future of the Union are on the President’s mind as he delivers his Inaugural Address.

As usual, the ex-General is a man of relatively few, but always precise, words.

He begins by expressing his gratitude for the honor of serving again.

Fellow-Citizens: The will of the American people…calls me before you to…take upon myself the duties of President of the United States for another term. For their approbation of my public conduct through a period which has not been without its difficulties…I am at a loss for terms adequate to the expression of my gratitude. It shall be displayed to the extent of my humble abilities in continued efforts so to administer the Government as to preserve their liberty and promote their happiness.  

In regard to foreign policy, he says the nation is at peace and facing “few causes of controversy.”  

The foreign policy adopted by our Government…has been crowned with almost complete success, and has elevated our character among the nations of the earth. To do justice to  all and to submit to wrong from none has been during my Administration its governing  maxim, and so happy have been its results that we are not only at peace with all the world, but have few causes of controversy, and those of minor importance, remaining unadjusted.  

His focus shifts to the home front, reaffirming his commitment to preserving both the states’ rights and the integrity of the Union. 

In the domestic policy of this Government there are two objects which especially deserve the attention of the people and their representatives, and which have been and will continue to be the subjects of my increasing solicitude. They are the preservation of the rights of the several States and the integrity of the Union. 

A first principle in balancing the two lies in the willingness of the states to obey all laws passed by the federal government. (“Nullification” is not an option.) 

These great objects are necessarily connected, and can only be attained by an enlightened exercise of the powers of each within its appropriate sphere in conformity with the public will constitutionally expressed. To this end it becomes the duty of all to yield a ready and patriotic submission to the laws constitutionally enacted and thereby promote and strengthen a proper confidence in those institutions of the several States and  of the United States which the people themselves have ordained for their own government.  

At the same time, it is important that the federal government not encroach upon the rights of the  states.  

My experience…confirm(s)…that the destruction of our State governments or the annihilation of their control over the local concerns of the people would lead directly to revolution and anarchy, and finally to despotism and military domination….therefore…my countrymen will ever find me…arresting measures which  may directly or indirectly encroach upon the rights of the States or tend to consolidate all  political power in the General Government.  

But what is of “incalculable importance” is insuring the sacred Union, without which liberty would never have been achieved or could not be maintained. 

But of incalculable, importance is the union of these States, and the sacred duty of all to contribute to its preservation by a liberal support of the General Government in the exercise of its just powers. You have been wisely admonished to…indignantly frown upon the first dawning of any attempt to alienate any portion of our country from the rest or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts.” Without union our  independence and liberty would never have been achieved; without union they never can  be maintained.  

He turns to his growing concern about “dissolution,” arguing that it would lead to the loss of freedom, and the end of good government, peace, plenty and happiness. 

Divided into twenty-four, or even a smaller number, of separate communities, we shall see our internal trade burdened with numberless restraints and exactions;  communication between distant points and sections obstructed or cut off; our sons made soldiers to deluge with blood the fields they now till in peace; the mass of our people  borne down and impoverished by taxes to support armies and navies, and military  leaders at the head of their victorious legions becoming our lawgivers and judges. The loss of liberty, of all good government, of peace, plenty, and happiness, must inevitably follow a dissolution of the Union.

He says that the eyes of the world are on America’s “existing crisis” – the threat of  “nullification” – which must be resolved through a proper mix of “forbearance and firmness” to escape the current dangers. 

The time at which I stand before you is full of interest. The eyes of all nations are fixed on our Republic. The event of the existing crisis will be decisive in the opinion of mankind of the practicability of our federal system of government. …Let us exercise forbearance and  firmness. Let us extricate our country from the dangers which surround it and learn wisdom from the lessons they inculcate.  

He reiterates his ongoing commitment to financial integrity, controlling federal spending and limiting taxation. 

At the same time, it will be my aim to inculcate…those powers only that are clearly delegated; to encourage simplicity and economy in the expenditures of the Government;  to raise no more money from the people than may be requisite for these objects, and in a  manner that will best promote the interests of all classes of the community and of all  portions of the Union.  

Sensing the growing regional discord, he wishes for compromise and reconciliation “with our brethren in all parts of the country” – with partial sacrifices made by each to preserve the greater good of the whole. 

Constantly bearing in mind that in entering into society “individuals must give up a share of liberty to preserve the rest,” it will be my desire so to discharge my duties as to foster with our brethren in all parts of the country a spirit of liberal concession and  compromise, and, by reconciling our fellow-citizens to those partial sacrifices which they  must unavoidably make for the preservation of a greater good, to recommend our  invaluable Government and Union to the confidence and affections of the American  people.  

He ends with a prayer to the Almighty Being on behalf of the nation’s continued well-being.  

Finally, it is my most fervent prayer to that Almighty Being before whom I now stand, and who has kept us in His hands from the infancy of our Republic to the present day, that He will so overrule all my intentions and actions and inspire the hearts of my fellow-citizens that we may be preserved from dangers of all kinds and continue forever a united and  happy people. 

1789 – 1861

Sidebar: Word Counts For The First Sixteen President’s Inaugural Addresses

March 4, 1833-March 3, 1837

Overview Of Jackson’s Second Term

Jackson’s second term is largely devoted to finishing up on the priorities he set for himself in the first. 

He is particularly drawn to continued initiatives aimed at securing the financial well-being of the nation.

These include eliminating the national debt – and in 1835 he becomes the last President in U.S.  history who will pay it off entirely.  

But, like Jefferson, nothing troubles him more than the monetary and banking systems established by Alexander Hamilton, the perpetual arch villain of the anti-Federalists. Jackson  intuitively fears that simple greed will find state banks printing an oversupply of soft money, unbacked by gold/silver, to make speculative loans – and that this will result in ruinous inflation and collapse of the financial system.  

He also believes that the Second Bank of the United States, a corporate entity, concentrates too much power in the hands of a few wealthy capitalists, who will prioritize their own interests over the good of the country.  

During his second term, Jackson will act on both concerns, first shutting down the Second Bank,  and then issuing his “Specie Circular” to reestablish the gold standard and the value of the  American dollar. The short-run effect of these two moves will be a bank panic that begins in  1837.  

The next four years will also see a sharp acceleration in the cession of Native American  homelands and the relocation of the eastern tribes to new “reservations” west of the Mississippi.  The moves themselves, memorialized as “The Trail of Tears,” will forever be associated with  Jackson’s name. 

The issue of US expansion into Mexican territory heats up when American settlers are killed in  sieges at the Alamo and Goliad. After responding with a resounding military victory under Sam  Houston at the Battle of San Jacinto, the Republic of Texas is founded in 1836. While Congress  is eager to recognize and annex Texas, Jackson stalls for wont of starting a war. 

Finally, the growth of the abolitionist movement produces social tensions and violent reactions  across all regions of the country. By the end of his second term, the American Anti-Slavery  Society will have opened over 500 chapters in the North, the South will attempt to “gag” the  reformers, and Jackson’s “sacred Union” will once again be in jeopardy.  

Key Events: Andrew Jackson’s Second Term

The US economy continues to grow nicely throughout Jackson’s time in office, including a sharp  upswing in 1835 and 1836. But, underneath this boom period, lies rampant speculation and  monetary inflation which is about to usher in a crippling bust cycle to plague his successor.    

Key Economic Overview – Jackson’s Terms in Office