Political Parties & Elections
A group of people with similar ideas about government who work to win elections.
Political party
A government system that expanded participation for many white male voters and emphasized the “common man.”
Jacksonian Democracy
The Native American group that was forced off its land in the Southeast.
Cherokee Indians
The power of a president to reject a law passed by Congress.
Veto
A movement that believed people should rely on themselves and connect with nature and emotion.
Transcendentalism
Organized effort to win votes for a candidate.
Election campaign
A system where supporters are rewarded with government jobs after a candidate wins.
Spoils system
The forced march that caused suffering and death for many Cherokee people.
Trail of Tears
The lawmaking branch of a state government.
State legislature
Refusing to obey a law as a peaceful protest to show the law is unjust.
Civil disobedience
A person running for office.
Candidate
A tax placed on imported goods.
Tariff
Supreme Court case where the Cherokee were described as a “domestic dependent nation.”
Cherokee Nation v. Georgia
Agreement between states that acts like a treaty between them.
Compact of states
Document created at Seneca Falls that listed women’s rights and demanded equality.
Declaration of Sentiments
A meeting where a party chooses its candidate for president.
Party nominating convention
The official act passed by South Carolina that declared federal tariffs invalid in the state.
Ordinance of Nullification
Supreme Court case that said Georgia laws did not apply in Cherokee territory.
Worcester v. Georgia
The idea that states have the right to make certain decisions without federal control (often argued in the South). States’ rights
Compact Theory
A disagreement between federal power and state power shown during the Nullification Crisis.
Nullification / Ordinance of Nullification
A party’s official statement of beliefs and goals.
Party platform
The law that allowed the forced relocation of Native American tribes west of the Mississippi River.
Indian Removal Act
The Native American leader connected to the Black Hawk War.
Chief Black Hawk
Political leader from South Carolina who strongly supported nullification and states’ rights.
John C. Calhoun
This term describes how political parties organized and energized elections in the 1800s.
Election campaign