2. The Spoils System
Shortly after his inauguration, JACKSON fired many
government employees. He then replaced them with his
OWN LOYAL SUPPORTERS.
Jackson defended this practice by claiming, “TO THE
VICTOR BELONGS THE SPOILS OF THE ENEMY.” The
spoils to which JACKSON referred were government jobs
for his supporters. As a result, this practice became known
as the SPOILS SYSTEM.
Like previous Presidents, JACKSON assembled an official
cabinet. But he also relied on a group of his own personal
advisers, nicknamed the KITCHEN CABINET.
4. War with the Bank
Since its creation in 1816, the BANK OF THE U.S. had
stirred controversy throughout the nation. The BANK
controlled all the nation’s credit. It also decided how much
money state banks received. Many people, including
ANDREW JACKSON, argued that the BANK had grown too
powerful.
In 1832, JACKSON vetoed a bill to renew the BANK’S
charter. He also ordered that federal funds be taken out of
the BANK OF THE UNITED STATES and put into certain
state banks, known as PET BANKS.
The loss of federal funds crippled the BANK. In 1836, when
its charter ran out, the BANK went out of business.
