What Hath God Wrought

Chapter 11 explores the Nullification Crisis’s aftermath, the decimation of the Cherokee Nation, and the broader implications of Jackson’s policies on Indigenous tribes. The chapter describes the removal policies that led to the Trail of Tears, highlighting the human cost of these policies and Jackson’s role in shaping them. It also covers the judicial landscape after Marshall’s death, focusing on Roger Taney’s influence on the Supreme Court and his alignment with Jacksonian ideals, particularly in the context of state sovereignty and the rights of property, which had lasting implications on American legal and political development.

Andrew Jackson’s presidency reflected Jackson’s tendency to prioritize his authority over established legal constraints. This trait, evident in his military career, was prominent during his presidency, particularly in his handling of the Bank of the United States, the Supreme Court’s decision on Cherokee rights, abolitionist mail, and public violence. Jackson’s divisive leadership choices culminated in his censure by the Senate, highlighting the era’s political polarization.

The chapter discusses the Nullification Crisis and its implications for the Cherokee Nation, particularly through the Worcester v. Georgia case, which exposed a conflict between the Supreme Court’s authority and Georgia’s defiance, with Jackson notably siding against the Court’s decision, which favored state sovereignty over federal judicial authority.