ackson treated the presidency as the only national office elected by all the people-meaning the eligible electorate-and therefore as an institution with independent popular authority. He used the veto more frequently than all previous presidents combined, not only on constitutional grounds but also because he opposed policies. This helped transform the veto into a political instrument.
PATRONAGE AND THE PARTY SYSTEM
Jackson rotated some officeholders and appointed loyal supporters. Defenders called rotation democratic and argued that public office should not become permanent property. Critics called it the spoils system and warned that competence would yield to partisan loyalty. In practice, turnover was less sweeping than legend suggests, but patronage became an important tool of party organization. The Democratic Party formed around Jackson, limited federal economic activism, territorial expansion and white male political equality. Opponents-including National Republicans, Anti-Masons and former Jackson supporters-eventually organized the Whig Party. Whigs criticized “King Andrew,” supported congressional authority and generally favored banks, tariffs and internal improvements. A competitive second party system took shape.
THE NULLIFICATION CRISIS
outh Carolina declared federal tariffs of 1828 and 1832 null within the state, advancing the theory that a state could invalidate federal law. Vice President John C. Calhoun became the leading theorist of nullification. Jackson, although a defender of states’ rights, rejected any state’s power to dissolve national law. Congress passed a Force Bill while Henry Clay negotiated a gradual tariff reduction. South Carolina withdrew its tariff nullification but symbolically nullified the Force Bill.
“Jackson enlarged presidential democracy and presidential power at the same time.”
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