Jacksonian America 1824 - 1840

A New Culture Election of 1824 New Democratic Culture Common Man No picked successor 4 candidates: John Quincy Adams Andrew Jackson William Crawford Henry Clay Jackson wins popular vote, not electoral college Adams chosen Jackson angry & bitter Corrupt bargain New Democratic Culture Sense of being American Democracy in America – Alexis de Tocqueville Equalitarian, mixed society Universal suffrage – white males Common Man Republic of Common Men Davy Crocket Andrew Jackson

How did common men transform our democracy to the way we know it today?

Adams vs. Jackson Election of 1828 Adams Presidency Jackson’s new strategy humble origins Military career Democratic values Democratic – Republicans faded Second Party System Modern Democratic Party Personal attacks Attack each other as womanizers Attacked Jackson’s wife Rachael Very nasty “Let the People Rule” - Jackass Old Hickory Grassroots Got Jackson’s name out everywhere Adams Presidency American System Industry, tariffs New national bank Internal improvements National university, observatory Above politics Merit Out of touch Many gaffes Unaware of popular democracy Jackson’s next campaign Attacks Adams

The People’s President Jackson wins overwhelmingly First elected by common man Inauguration very rowdy Rachael dies before inauguration Spoils System Replaced bureaucracy with own supporters Scandals Early in first term Forces most of cabinet to resign Nullification Crisis Congress raises import taxes Tariff Act of 1832 Textiles (clothing) South Carolina affected Hurts southern ag John Calhoun – VP Advocated nullifying law Took Kentucky Resolutions further Resigned from VP over issue Webster-Haynes Debate Webster attacked States’ Rights Denied states could judge Constitution

How did the Spoils System change the way we appoint important governmental positions?

The People’s President Nullification Crisis (Continued) S.C. convention called Crisis will end Henry Clay reaches deal Congress scales back tariffs Race African Americans Many free African Americans in north Still restrictions on them Native Americans Jackson hated Indians Assimilated tribes Cherokee, Choctaw, Seminoles, Creeks, Chickasaws Assimilated to American ways, Christianity Cherokee Gold found Indian Removal Act of 1830 Gave president power to exchange Indian land

The People’s President Cherokee go legal Cherokee Nation vs. Georgia Worcester vs. Georgia SCOTUS gets involved Jackson refuses to enforce decision Georgia pardons Worchester Trail of Tears Cherokees forced to leave Thousands will die relocating to Indian Territory (Oklahoma)

Was Andrew Jackson’s Indian policy consistent with his democratic ideals? Why or why not?

The People’s President Election of 1832 Democratic Party -Jackson National Republicans (anti – Jacksons) – Henry Clay Anti – Masonic Party – William Wirt Started nomination conventions, party platforms Bank of the United States Jackson hated it Clay thinks bank is issue to win election Nicholas Biddle, President of the 2nd Bank of the US Congress petitioned Biddle Early renewal of charter (4 years) Hoped for Jackson’s veto Forced issue into election Congress renews, Jackson vetoes Central issue in election Bank Veto Speech Jackson explained why he vetoed Laid out vision for American democracy Opposition supported him and democracy Appealed to common man Courts were not authority on constitution Jackson destroys Clay in election

The People’s President Whig Party Bank war gave party new name – (anti-elitist) Bank issues front a central Jackson Defunds Bank Fears opponents funding bank Jackson orders bank defunded Put out of existence First time president had thought of mandate Bank war hurts economy All money goes to state banks Major recession Election of 1836 Martin Van Buren (Old Kinderhook “OK”) Barely won election against Whigs Inherited bad economy Panic of 1837 “Martin Van Ruin”

Democrats vs. Whigs Election of 1840 Harrison wins landslide Van Buren runs for re-election General William Henry Harrison (Whig) Whigs spread rumors about Van Buren Whigs will get women to influence vote of husbands Harrison wins landslide Harrison only makes it a month John Tyler (VP)l becomes President

Democrats vs. Whigs Democrats Whigs Egalitarian (for white men) Suspicious of large government Supported private property Favored states’ rights Wanted to obtain more land Individual states needed to guide economics, not central government Whigs Favored strong central government Defense of minority rights Against slavery Populist style politics (anti-masonic) Need for talented individuals to run country Accepted minorities into party

How was the Anti-masonic party important to how politicians run campaigns today?