Which political figure aligned with the theory of state compact in opposition to Jackson?

The political figure who aligned with the theory of state compact in opposition to Andrew Jackson was Robert Hayne. Hayne was a staunch supporter of the idea that the states had entered into a contract to form the federal government and thus retained certain rights that the federal government could not infringe upon. This perspective was particularly articulated during the debates over states' rights and the enforcement of federal tariffs in the early 1830s, especially concerning South Carolina's opposition to the tariff laws.

Hayne’s position contrasted sharply with Jackson's belief in a strong federal government, which he articulated during the Nullification Crisis when South Carolina attempted to nullify federal tariffs. Hayne's arguments were meant to protect state sovereignty and challenge what he perceived as federal overreach, advocating for the rights of states to govern themselves in certain matters. His exchanges with other political figures illustrated the intense struggles over the balance of power between state and federal authorities during this period in American history.

By understanding Hayne's alignment with the state compact theory, one gains insight into the fundamental tensions of the early republic concerning federalism and states' rights, which remain relevant debates in American politics.