Andrew Jackson, 7th U.S. President

President Details

President Number: 7
Years in Office: 1829 - 1837
Term Dates: March 4, 1829 – March 4, 1837
Political Party: Democratic
Vice President(s): John C. Calhoun; Martin Van Buren

Legacy Summary

Jackson reshaped the presidency into a more powerful, populist office, using the veto, patronage, and direct appeals to voters to influence policy. He led the Bank War, asserted federal authority during the Nullification Crisis, and expanded the role of the executive branch.

His administration enacted the Indian Removal Act, leading to the forced relocation of Native American nations and the Trail of Tears, which remains a major moral and historical controversy. Historians view his legacy as influential but deeply contested for its democratic expansions alongside significant human costs.

Notable Actions

Led U.S. forces to victory at the Battle of New Orleans (1815); Helped found the Democratic Party and promoted Jacksonian democracy; Defeated recharter of the Second Bank of the United States (Bank War); Signed the Indian Removal Act (1830), leading to forced relocations; Confronted the Nullification Crisis and asserted federal authority (1832–33); Expanded presidential power through frequent use of the veto and patronage

Timeline Entries

Key highlights and dated events associated with this presidency.

Showing 12 of 97 entries.

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Congress passes the Force Bill (Force Act) to enforce federal tariff laws

April 20, 1833 • Andrew Jackson

Legislation

Congress passes the Force Bill (Force Act) to enforce federal tariff laws

On April 20, 1833, Congress approved the Force Bill (also called the Force Act), authorizing the president to use federal military power to ensure collection of tariffs and to suppress state attempts at nullification.

South Carolina convention declares the Force Bill null and void within the state

March 26, 1833 • Andrew Jackson

Crisis Response

South Carolina convention declares the Force Bill null and void within the state

Despite repealing the nullification ordinance, South Carolina's convention passed a separate act declaring the federal Force Bill null and void as applied to the state.

South Carolina convention repeals its Ordinance of Nullification

March 15, 1833 • Andrew Jackson

Crisis Response

South Carolina convention repeals its Ordinance of Nullification

South Carolina's special convention voted to repeal the November 1832 Ordinance of Nullification after Congress passed the Compromise Tariff.

Andrew Jackson delivers his second inaugural address

March 4, 1833 • Andrew Jackson

Speech

Andrew Jackson delivers his second inaugural address

On March 4, 1833, President Andrew Jackson delivered his second inaugural address to mark the start of his second term.

Martin Van Buren sworn in as Vice President of the United States

March 4, 1833 • Andrew Jackson

Election / Transition

Martin Van Buren sworn in as Vice President of the United States

Martin Van Buren took the oath of office as Vice President on March 4, 1833, serving alongside Andrew Jackson in his second term.

Andrew Jackson inaugurated for a second term as President

March 4, 1833 • Andrew Jackson

Election / Transition

Andrew Jackson inaugurated for a second term as President

Andrew Jackson took the oath of office and commenced his second presidential term on March 4, 1833, delivering an inaugural address outlining his priorities for the next four years.

Congress enacts the Force Bill authorizing federal enforcement of tariff laws

March 2, 1833 • Andrew Jackson

Legislation

Congress enacts the Force Bill authorizing federal enforcement of tariff laws

On the same day as the Compromise Tariff, Congress passed (and Jackson signed) the Force Bill, granting the president authority to use federal military force to ensure collection of customs duties and to suppress insurrection.

Congress enacts the Compromise Tariff (Tariff of 1833)

March 2, 1833 • Andrew Jackson

Legislation

Congress enacts the Compromise Tariff (Tariff of 1833)

Congress passed and Jackson signed the Tariff of 1833, a compromise authored largely by Henry Clay that provided for gradual reductions in tariff rates over a ten-year schedule.

South Carolina's Ordinance of Nullification Takes Effect

February 1, 1833 • Andrew Jackson

Crisis Response

South Carolina's Ordinance of Nullification Takes Effect

South Carolina's Ordinance of Nullification went into effect, declaring the federal tariffs of 1828 and 1832 null and void within the state.

February 1, 1833 • Andrew Jackson

Crisis Response

South Carolina’s Ordinance of Nullification Takes Effect

South Carolina’s 1832 Ordinance of Nullification, which declared the federal tariffs of 1828 and 1832 null and void within the state, was set to take effect on February 1, 1833.

Vice President John C. Calhoun resigns to take a U.S. Senate seat

December 28, 1832 • Andrew Jackson

Election / Transition

Vice President John C. Calhoun resigns to take a U.S. Senate seat

John C. Calhoun resigned the vice presidency and accepted election by the South Carolina legislature to the U.S. Senate.

Proclamation to the People of South Carolina

December 10, 1832 • Andrew Jackson

Crisis Response

Proclamation to the People of South Carolina

President Andrew Jackson issued a formal proclamation repudiating South Carolina's Ordinance of Nullification and declaring nullification incompatible with the Constitution.

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