Chapter 10, Millenial Democracy Summary and Analysis

Andrew Jackson's rise to power brings democratic change led by the "Napoleon of the Woods" or "King 'Mob.'" Masses of people see self-government as having triumphed over aristocracy. Yet quickly in Washington the Calhoun-Van Buren coalition starts to break down, as Jackson stacks his "Kitchen Cabinet" with Van Burenites that soon isolate Calhoun. Due to political intrigue, Calhoun is steadily deprived of his power. All the while he philosophically retreats from nationalism into a radical form of Southern, pro-slavery localism. Jackson and Van Buren slowly become allies.

Jackson and Van Buren feel forced to quiet regional tensions by implementing a tariff which South Carolina start to call the "Tariff of Abominations." South Carolina is furious and under the support of Calhoun, suggests that it has the power to nullify the tariff on constitutional grounds, as a...