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Difficulty: EasyJackson and Federal Power Conflicts

In an 1832 letter to John Coffee regarding the Supreme Court's decision in Worcester v. Georgia, President Andrew Jackson wrote:

'The decision of the Supreme Court has fell still born, and they find that they cannot coerce Georgia to yield to its mandate.'

Which of the following actions by the Jackson administration best reflects the attitude expressed in this excerpt?

  1. A
    Sending federal troops to Georgia to enforce the Supreme Court's decision and protect Cherokee sovereignty
  2. B
    Proposing a constitutional amendment to strip the Supreme Court of its power of judicial review over state legislation
  3. Refusing to enforce the Supreme Court's ruling, thereby allowing the state of Georgia to force the Cherokee from their landsAnswer
  4. D
    Using federal funds from the Second Bank of the United States to purchase Cherokee territory for integration into the market economy

Answer

Refusing to enforce the Supreme Court's ruling, thereby allowing the state of Georgia to force the Cherokee from their lands
The correct answer is correct because President Andrew Jackson refused to deploy federal authority to enforce the Supreme Court's decision in Worcester v. Georgia. By doing nothing to protect Cherokee sovereignty from the state of Georgia, Jackson effectively allowed the state to proceed with its policies of forced relocation, which ultimately led to the Trail of Tears.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the historical context of the letter and the Supreme Court decision in Worcester v. Georgia (1832).
The Supreme Court ruled that the Cherokee nation was a distinct community in which the laws of Georgia had no force, meaning Georgia could not regulate them or force them off their land.
Understanding the ruling is essential to understanding Jackson's reaction.
2
Interpret President Andrew Jackson's quote regarding the decision falling 'still born' and the court's inability to 'coerce Georgia'.
The quote shows Jackson's belief that the Supreme Court lacked the power to enforce its decision without executive support, and his refusal to provide that support.
This identifies the executive branch's stance on the judicial ruling.
3
Identify the historical action that aligned with Jackson's refusal to enforce the ruling.
Jackson allowed Georgia to proceed with removing the Cherokee, which eventually culminated in the forced relocation known as the Trail of Tears.
This connects the president's attitude to his administration's policy.

Key Concept

Executive non-enforcement of Supreme Court decisions during the Jacksonian Era
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Jackson and Federal Power Conflicts

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