1829 State of the Union Address

Speech by US President Andrew Jackson February 2026 February 2025 1829 State of the Union Address 1829 12 08 House Chamber, United States Capitol Washington, D.C.Joint Meetings, Joint Sessions, & Inaugurations US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives https://history.house.gov/Institution/Joint-Sessions/Joint-Sessions/ history.house.gov 21 October 2024 en 38 53 23 N 77 00 32 W region:US-DC_type inline,title State of the Union Address Andrew JacksonJohn C. CalhounAndrew Stevenson Format Written Previous 1828 State of the Union Address Next 1830 State of the Union Address The 1829 State of the Union Address was delivered by the seventh president of the United States, Andrew Jackson, on December 8, 1829, to the 21st United States Congress. This was Jackson's first address to Congress after his election, and it set the tone for his presidency, emphasizing limited government, states’ rights, and the removal of Native Americans from their lands.Andrew Jackson - State of the Union Address -- 1829 https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/first-annual-message-3 The American Presidency Project 19 October 2024 Economic and foreign affairs In his address, Jackson expressed satisfaction with the nation's peace and prosperity, noting that the country was “at peace with all mankind” and that domestic affairs were progressing well. He acknowledged, however, unresolved disputes with foreign powers, particularly Great Britain, France, and Spain. Jackson assured Congress that his administration would work to settle these differences amicably, while maintaining a firm stance on protecting American rights. A significant part of the address was dedicated to internal improvements and the national debt. Jackson called for a cautious approach to government spending, warning against the dangers of corruption and advocating for reducing the national debt. “It is time to check the tendency to lavish expenditure and make our government as simple and economical as possible,” Jackson urged. Election reform Jackson also called for a constitutional amendment to reform the presidential election process. He suggested eliminating the role of electoral colleges and the House of Representatives in selecting the president, advocating for a direct popular vote to ensure that the will of the people would always prevail in presidential elections. Call for removal of Native American tribes The address is also notable for Jackson's call to remove Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the southern states. Jackson argued that their removal to territories west of the Mississippi River was necessary to protect their survival and to avoid conflict with state governments. He stated, "Humanity and national honor demand that every effort should be made to avert so great a calamity," referring to the potential extinction of Native tribes. His statement also "rejected the authority of the southern tribes to establish independent governments within the several states, arguing that they had possessory rights only and must emigrate west or submit to the laws of the state in which they resided."DeJong David H. The Commissioners of Indian Affairs: The United States Indian Service and the Making of Federal Indian Policy, 1824 to 2017 The University of Utah Press 2020 978-1-60781-772-7 19 10.1353/book77411 jj.33676913 Legacy Jackson's first State of the Union address marked the beginning of the major policies of his administration, including limited federal intervention, states' rights, and Native American removal, setting the stage for his presidency. References 1828 State of the Union Address 1830 State of the Union Address State of the Union addresses 1 1829 Category:Speeches by Andrew Jackson Category:21st United States Congress Category:1829 in American politics Category:1829 in Washington, D.C. Category:1829 in the United States Category:1829 works State of the Union Category:1820s State of the Union addresses