The Age of Jackson The rise of the common man

What was the Age of the common man? Time Period: Also referred to as the “ Age of Jackson ”

What was the Age of the common man? American Politics emphasized Equality in the political process for adult white males Increase in voter participation Changing style of campaigning Rise of interest group politics and sectional issues

What was the Age of the common man? Why was there an increase in political participation? Property requirements to vote were dropped Westward expansion Rise of sectional interests

Election of 1824 First time an election had only one party Jackson did not get enough electoral votes but won the popular John Quincy Adams wins 4 year term was uneventful because of the accusation of fixing the House election (Known as the “ corrupt bargain ”) CandidatePartyElectoral VotesPopular Votes Andrew JacksonDemocratic-Republican99153,544 John Quincy AdamsDemocratic-Republican84108,740 William H. CrawfordDemocratic-Republican4140,856 Henry ClayDemocratic-Republican3747,531

Andrew Jackson Personified the “ democratic spirit” Famous for being an Indian fighter Commanding general at the Battle of New Orleans Being President showed that individuals born into poverty could become President

The Spoil System When Jackson took office he rewarded his supporters with government jobs. Critics argued that the most qualified individuals were not put in the government jobs

The Spoil System Why did Jackson implement this system? His belief that everyone should participate in government service at some point in their life Rotation-in-office : When people get comfortable they do not do a good job.

Jackson and Native American Policy Jackson was prejudice towards Native Americans Jackson supported moving Native Americans west of the Mississippi River

Jackson and Native American Policy Jackson passed the Indian Removal Act of 1830 : Authorized the President to negotiate with Native American Native Americans gave up their land in exchange for federal lands west of the Mississippi River Future legislation would establish military forces to separate Native Americans and White settlers Most treaties signed under this act were done under forceful or threatening tactics

Jackson and Native American Policy Cherokee Nation vs Georgia : Cherokee had a legal right to their land in Georgia Worcester v Georgia : Federal government did not have authority to force Native Americans to move to the west.

Jackson and Native American Policy Jackson did not agree with Chief Justice decision Refused to follow the Supreme Court decision Sent troops to Georgia to force Native Americans out west. “John Marshall has made his decision, and know let him enforce it”

Jackson and Native American Policy Trail of Tears The Journey of Cherokee Indians being forced off their homeland to Indian Territory ¼ of the Native Americans dies on the journey 800 mile journey

Congress approved renewed the Second National Bank Charter Jackson vetoed the bill, because it was a threat to the Republic Unconstitutional Monopoly and manipulated the economy Controlled by foreign investors Threat to the small independent farmers Could use its powers to destroy enemies

Election of 1828: Central focus was on Jackson Veto on the National Bank Jackson started to withdraw all the federal deposits from the National bank and put them into 32 “ pet banks ”

How did the National Bank respond to Jackson withdraw? Calling in loans Cutting off credit lines Increased interest rates

The Rise of the Whig Party Split was caused because of the stance over the 2 nd National Bank Jacksonian DemocratsThe Whig Party Leader: Andrew Jackson Party of the common people Reduce Corporate Privileges Leader: Henry Clay Party for the Aristocrats Reduce Presidential Powers

The Rise of the Whig Party The Whig party portrayed Jackson as King Andrew because of the way he used his Presidential Powers

Panic of 1837 Happen during Van Buren’s administration, but caused by actions from the Jackson administration Events that caused this to happen Jackson required all land sales be made in gold or silver Land Sales severely declined, and people losing their land Printing of worthless money

Panic of 1837 Van Buren took no action because of his support of the Laissez-fair theory Van Buren only action in office was cutting all federal government connection to private banks Many people lost their business, farms, and homes