Politics of the Antebellum Era The Rise of the “Common Man” & “Jacksonian Democracy” ( )

Jacksonian Democracy in antebellum America Expanded Suffrage “Common Man” gains political power & respect over “notables” Animosity toward those seen as elite/educated Support of patronage as reward for loyalty Westward expansion favored Strict constructionist, though expanded presidency

“Old Hickory” becomes the hero of the “Common Man” and the new Democratic Party War Hero “Self-made” man Westerner (even though rich planation owner) Andrew Jackson John Quincy Adams Intellectual & Diplomat was the symbol of the nationalist “establishment” in the early 19 th C. Harvard Educated Son of a President New Englander

Election of 1824 & alleged “Corrupt Bargain” Ends “Era of Good Feeling”

Jackson’s “Revolution” of 1828

The reign of “King Mob” at Jackson’s Inauguration

Jackson Increases Political Patronage (“Spoils System”)

II. Jackson & the Native Americans Should strong executive power act in favor of the “common man” over “alien savages”?

“Trail of Tears”

III. Jackson & the “Tariff of Abominations ” How should the central government act when a state or region objects to national policies?

Nullification Crisis States Rights vs. Nationalism “Tariff of Abomination” John C. Calhoun & South Carolina Exposition Jackson uses military intimidation – Force Act “Compromise” Tariff of 1833

IV.Jackson and the 2 nd B.U.S. Should the central government check the power of business interests & the social elite to please the “common man”?

The “Bank War” of 1832 Whether or not to re-charter the 2 nd BUS sparks a class & cultural debate between: Rich vs. Poor East vs. West Elite vs. Common Man

Jackson as “King Veto” Jackson ignores Supreme Court (again) and vetoes a 3 rd BUS - puts federal $ into state “pet banks”

V. Legacies of the Jacksonian Era “Populism” adopted by both political parties Increases the influence of the Presidency

Martin Van Buren (1837 – 1841) Panic of 1837