Final answer:
Andrew Jackson's presidency was shaped by events and political beliefs, especially the Tariff Debate and Nullification Crisis. His support for reduced tariffs and a strong federal union led to the Tariff of 1832, which aimed to appease both northern and southern interests but also highlighted regional divisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Political beliefs and events significantly shaped Andrew Jackson's presidency, particularly with regards to the Tariff Debate. Jackson's administration faced the contentious Tariff of 1828, known as the 'Tariff of Abominations,' which favored northern manufacturers and was despised by the southern states. The Democratic Party's formation was a response to support Jackson, who had denounced John Quincy Adams’s election as a 'corrupt bargain.' With Jackson’s election, the ethos of Jacksonian Democracy stressed states' rights and a strict interpretation of the Constitution.
The tariff issue led to the Nullification Crisis, as southern states, particularly South Carolina, feared that high tariffs on imported goods would harm their economy, which relied heavily on the export of cotton. Jackson had to navigate these tensions and steer the country through the crisis by pushing for the Tariff of 1832, which reduced tariff levels and pacified some discontent. Nonetheless, the crisis highlighted the deepening division between the North and South over federal authority and economic interests, foreshadowing conflicts that would eventually lead to the Civil War.