The Era of Jackson Rise of “King Mob”

Essential Question: Champion of the “Common Man”? “King” Andrew? (tryant) OR

Democracy and Individualism

Jackson background Humble origins Little formal education Military hero

Alexis de Tocqueville Wrote Democracy in America Individualism – “self-made man” Democracy – appeal to the “common man”

Jacksonian (New) Democracy: Rise of the Common Man  White male suffrage increased  Party nominating conventions.  Voters chose their state’s slate of Presidential electors.  Spoils system.  Rise of Third Parties.  Popular campaigning (parades, rallies, floats, etc.)

Jackson Coalition  The Planter Elite in the South  People on the Frontier  Government job-seekers– spoils system  Immigrants in the cities.

1824 Election Results 1824 Election Results A “Corrupt Bargain?”  House selects Adams as President.  Adams appoints Clay Secretary of State  House selects Adams as President.  Adams appoints Clay Secretary of State

1828 Election Results

The Nullification Crisis Jackson: (at Jefferson Day Dinner) Our Federal Union—it must be preserved. Calhoun: (at Jefferson Day Dinner) The Union, next to our liberty, most dear. Webster: (in Webster-Hayne Debate) Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable.

Center of the crisis -- conflict over tariffs Reduced European competition with Northern manufacturers Southerners and westerners feared that high tariffs reduced European interest in American agricultural exports

Tariff Bill of 1828 – Dramatic increase Agricultural depression in South Carolina "Tariff of Abominations" 1832 Congress lowered tariff rates slightly. South Carolina passed a nullification law.

Jackson v. Calhoun Jackson's first vice-president, South Carolinian John C. Calhoun, defended the nullification law. "South Carolina Exposition and Protest," states’ rights and nullification

Confrontation and Compromise "Force Bill" -- authorized use of the military to enforce the tariff. Clay’s Compromise – Tariff of 1833 reduces tariffs over 10 years.

Results Strengthened power of the federal government. Highlighted divide between the North and South. Destroyed Calhoun's chances of ever becoming president.

The Bank War The Bank War Nicholas Biddle President Jackson

Jackson and the BUS Andrew Jackson believed the BUS hurt farmers and helped special interests and monopolies.

Renewing BUS Congress approved Biddle's bill to renew bank’s charter Jackson vetoed it.

Results Jackson's "Pet Banks." State banks Lending spree. Specie Circular (1836) Buy federal land only with gold or silver Contributed to Panic of 1837

Indian Removal

Indian Removal Act of 1830 Authorized treaties with eastern Indian tribes to move west of the Mississippi River Authorized treaties with eastern Indian tribes to move west of the Mississippi River Jackson was mostly successful —94 removal treaties. Jackson was mostly successful —94 removal treaties. Seminoles and the Cherokee Nation resisted Seminoles and the Cherokee Nation resisted

Seminoles Retreated into the swamps of the Everglades and fought a guerilla war. Retreated into the swamps of the Everglades and fought a guerilla war. Took 7 years to put down conflict Took 7 years to put down conflict

The Cherokee Nation The "civilized" tribe The "civilized" tribe State of Georgia lobbied for their removal, the Cherokees resisted in the courts. State of Georgia lobbied for their removal, the Cherokees resisted in the courts.

Cherokee Nation v. Georgia and Worster v. Georgia. Court ruled that tribes subject to federal laws but not to state laws. Court ruled that tribes subject to federal laws but not to state laws. Cherokees had "an unquestionable right" to keep their lands Cherokees had "an unquestionable right" to keep their lands

Results -- Jackson refused to enforce the decisions Jackson refused to enforce the decisions Cherokees -- little choice but to sign a removal treaty. Cherokees -- little choice but to sign a removal treaty. "Trail of Tears." over a quarter of the 12,000 who made the journey west died "Trail of Tears." over a quarter of the 12,000 who made the journey west died

Oklahoma Territory

Van Buren and the Whigs 1836 Election 1836 Election Martin Van Buren “Old Kinderhook” [O. K.]

The Whig Party Formed in 1834 when Jackson's political enemies joined forces. Formed in 1834 when Jackson's political enemies joined forces. Jackson's handpicked successor Martin Van Buren trounced the four Whig candidates in the presidential election of Jackson's handpicked successor Martin Van Buren trounced the four Whig candidates in the presidential election of 1836.

Van Buren’s Presidency Election followed by an economic downturn. (3rd worst in U.S. history) Election followed by an economic downturn. (3rd worst in U.S. history) The depression hurt Van Buren and helped the Whigs. The depression hurt Van Buren and helped the Whigs.

1840 Election The Whigs nominated popular military hero William Henry Harrison for president in (Tippecanoe and Tyler, too!) The Whigs nominated popular military hero William Henry Harrison for president in (Tippecanoe and Tyler, too!) Portrayed Harrison's as a man of the people, Portrayed Harrison's as a man of the people, Harrison beats Van Buren Harrison beats Van Buren

2nd Party System Whigs' and Democrats' rivalry remained very competitive for the next 15 years. Whigs' and Democrats' rivalry remained very competitive for the next 15 years.