1. The Rise of the Common Man Renowned for his toughness, Andrew Jackson was nicknamed “Old Hickory." The political activity that pervades the United States must be seen in order to be understood. No sooner do you set foot upon American ground than you are stunned by a kind of tumult. - Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America, 1835

2. Main Ideas The emergence of the “Common Man” in American politics Geographical and economic expansion Tariff of Abomination Jackson’s administration; Spoils System, Nullification, Bank War, Cherokee Removal

3. Jefferson’s America Becomes Jackson’s America The common man began to play a more active and decisive role in politics. People began to demand – and obtain – government of and by the people, as well as for the people. There was a growth of the spirit of egalitarianism along with the growth of the nationalistic and patriotic spirit. People began to demand equality of opportunity in the struggle for material success. They felt that hard work and innate virtue should succeed, not inherited wealth and special privilege. The hero of the age was the “self-made man”

4. Democrats and Whigs in the Age of Jackson Democrats: (Jackson) -favored local rule, limited government, free trade, equal economic opportunity -opposed monopolies, a national bank, high tariffs, high land prices -base of voters included Southerners, westerners, small farmers, and urban workers Whigs: (Henry Clay) -favored Clay’s American System (national bank, federal funding of internal improvements, protective tariff) -opposed immorality, vice and crime (some blamed immigrants) -base of voters included New Englanders, protestants of old English stock, middle class urban professionals

5. How the Common Man Rose Between 1824-1840, politics moved out of the fine homes of the rich southern planters and northern merchants Through individual economic success-people amassed fortunes through business, large landholdings, and land speculation By diminishing the power and influence of those who had it and gaining it for themselves Voting in the Young Republic: George Caleb Bingham's "The County Election"

6. Why the Common Man Rose The influence of the frontier spirit Rise of the large property less element in the Eastern population as a result of the growth of manufacturing: factory workers demanded and obtained the right to vote Acceptance of the doctrine of natural rights Elimination of religious tests for voting Transfer of power to select Presidential electors from legislatures to the people Jackson’s inauguration was very unruly and full of chaos. A ship's cable was stretched across the Capitol steps to keep the crowd back. At the end of the ceremony, the people rushed at Jackson in support and he had to protected while being escorted into the building.

7. Why the Common Man Rose continued… Changes in political parties and campaigning methods, improved education, and increases in newspaper circulation also contributed to the democratic trend. NEW YORK AMERICAN NEWSPAPER JAN 14 1828

8. Politics of the Common Man Universal male suffrage: Western states admitted to the Union (Indiana, Illinois) adopted state constitutions that allowed all white males to vote (Other states in the east followed) Party nominating conventions: in the past candidates were chosen by state legislatures or “King Caucus”- closed door meetings of party leaders in Congress (1) caucuses were replaced by nominating conventions

9. Politics of the Common Man continued… Popular election of the president: In the presidential election of 1832, only South Carolina used the old system whereby its electors for president were chosen by the state legislature (voters now chose a “slate of presidential electors”) Two-Party System: Popular election for the president now meant larger campaigns (needed larger political parties)

10. Politics of the Common Man continued… Rise of third parties: While only the large national parties (Democrats/Whigs) could hope to win the presidency, other political parties emerged (Anti-Masonic party/Workingmen’s party) More elected offices: During the Jacksonian era, a much larger number of state and local officials were elected to office (in the past there were mainly appointments)

11. Politics of the Common Man continued… Popular campaigning: Candidates for office directed their campaigns to the interests and prejudices of the common people (1)Politics became local entertainment (2)get out the vote tactics (free food and drink; parades) (3)led to personal attacks and downplaying the issues

12. Politics of the Common Man continued… Spoils system and rotation of officeholders: awarding government jobs to loyal supporters and limiting officeholders to one term, in the view of Jackson, affirmed the democratic ideal that one man was as good as another

13. General Andrew Jackson Jackson was a different kind of president- he had a certain likeability among the “common man” He was all of the following: -born on the frontier -hero of the Battle of New Orleans -wealthy plantation owner in Tennessee -chewed tobacco -fought several duels -displayed a violent temper -first president since Washington to be without a college education -a “self-made” man

14. The Jackson “Machine” This “self-made man” and living legend drew support from every social group and every section of the nation. Eastern working men * denounced the employees of the federal government as a privileged bureaucracy * denounced the Bank of the United States (BUS) Western and Southern farmers * hostile to the BUS * opposed public-land policy Southern planters * opposed the “American System” Harper's Weekly published this political cartoon mocking President Jackson. However, Jackson liked the nickname and the democrat party adopted the donkey as their party symbol.

15. Election of 1828 Jackson carried all the South, West, Pennsylvania, and part of New York Significance of the Jackson victory: (1) it was the victory of a popular military hero (2) Jackson was a symbol of the “common man” (3) it was a victory for the newly organized political machines in the East by politicians such as Martin Van Buren (4) Jackson was different things to different people: a representative of the West, a states’-righter to many southerners, a protectionist to some, a free trader to others Jackson supporters used this “Battle of New Orleans” anthem as their campaign song.

16. Jackson’s Principles Advocated a laissez faire economic policy Hostile toward monopoly and special privilege; especially the Second BUS Supported free enterprise; not opposed to anyone getting rich – he was just opposed to getting rich through special privilege Inconsistent on Constitutional interpretation: strict in opposing the BUS and federal aid to internal improvement, loose when it came to interpreting the Constitution during the Nullification Crisis Jackson interpreted the Congress’ powers narrowly and therefore vetoed more bills (12) than his other presidential predecessors combined

17. Jackson’s Cabinet Advising Jackson was a group of politicians who did not belong to his official cabinet- these men became known as his “kitchen cabinet” The Peggy Eaton Affair: The wife of the Secretary of War was disliked in the inner circles of Washington politics (1)Jackson demanded that his cabinet officials’ wives socialize with Peggy Eaton (2)Most of his cabinet resigned in protest (3)Vice President John C. Calhoun later resigned Many of Jackson’s critics claimed he exercised too much power

18. Jackson’s Program He was a hard money man; he opposed paper money Favored a low tariff, but handled tariff question poorly, alienating many supporters Advocated general incorporation laws, in accordance with his opposition to special privilege of any sort Supported free banking laws, holding that anyone meeting certain minimal state requirements ought to be free to establish a bank

19. The Spoils System Jackson was opposed to a perpetual bureaucracy. He believed in rotation in office. He expressed the idea that there was no office at the disposal of the President which could not be run by any American citizen of normal intelligence. His appointment policy was the first forthright avowal of the doctrine, “To the victor belong the spoils.” Jackson replaced roughly 10% (900 out of 10,000) during an 18-month period. In memoriam--our civil service as it was, a political cartoon by Thomas Nast showing statue of Andrew Jackson on pig, which is over "fraud," "bribery," and "spoils," eating "plunder." in Harper's Weekly, 1877

20. Internal Improvements President Adams had supported federal subsidies for internal improvements which had been popular in the West. Jackson opposed the Maysville Road Bill, stating that the improvements would be of a purely local nature and could not constitutionally be subsidized by the federal government. (The reality was that Jackson disliked Clay and found a reason to veto the bill.) Jackson signed more improvement bills than he vetoed. Henry Clay, Sr. was a lawyer, politician and skilled orator who represented Kentucky. He served three different terms as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and was also Secretary of State from 1825 to 1829.

21. The Nullification Crisis Most serious crisis Jackson faced Most striking evidence before the 1840s of the growing split between the North and South North and South were split on the tariff issue: North favored protectionist tariffs, South opposed them The 1828 “Tariff of Abominations” produced hostile reactions in the South, but remained in effect for four years. In 1828, the House, by a 105-94 vote, approved a bill known by critics as the Tariff of Abominations. The legislation sought to protect New England manufacturing interests and Western agricultural products from competition with foreign imports. But the resulting tax severely affected cotton exports from the South.

22. Tariff of 1832 Established the highest average duties in the history of the country to that time. Chief exponents were Henry Clay and Daniel Webster. The South was having great success with cotton and it was not seen as profitable to divert capital from land and slaves into industry. Thus, the South had not developed the balanced economy envisioned by the American System. Southerners believed the tariff benefitted the North at their expense. John C. Calhoun advanced a theory of nullification- each state had the right to decide whether to obey federal law or declare it null and void John C. Calhoun of South Carolina

23. Debating Federal Union Under the Constitution In 1832, Daniel Webster (Mass) debated Robert Hayne (S.C.) on the nature of the federal Union under the Constitution Webster attacked the idea that any state could defy or leave the Union Following the Webster-Hayne debate, Jackson declared his position at a dinner party- “Our federal Union, it must be preserved.” Webster Replying to Hayne by George P.A. Healy

24. The Role of South Carolina Planters were in control of the government of South Carolina and so were in a position to lead all Southern movements of protest. South Carolina’s per acre yield had dropped and put them at a disadvantage in competition with new lands in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Instead of blaming their declining profits on this economic reality, the planters made the tariff the scapegoat for all their troubles between 1820 and 1832. They would use the states’ rights argument to support their opposition. South Carolina was the first southern state to threaten secession, which eventually they made good on after the election in 1860

25. The Crisis South Carolina Convention declared the tariff null and void and threatened secession if customs were forcibly collected. Jackson privately threatened to “hang the nullifiers.” He issued a statement denouncing the doctrine of nullification. He dispatched military reinforcements while quietly assembling a larger army. Clay became the mediator and Congress enacted the Tariff of 1833 to lower the tariff over 10 years. They also passed the Force Bill authorizing the president to use the military if necessary to collect tariff duties

26. The Crisis continued… The South Carolina Convention met again and repealed their ordinance of nullification, but also nullified the Force Bill! Jackson did however side with militant southerners concerning the rising antislavery movement in the North- he blocked antislavery literature being sent through the U.S. mail A pro-slavery mob burning abolitionist mail

27. Indian Removal Policy Indians were no longer a military problem. The task of the administration was to get them off lands in the Old Northwest and the South which were desired by white settlers. In the South, many of the Five Civilized Tribes (Cherokees, Choctaws, Chickasaws, Creeks, and Seminoles) were settling down to become cotton farmers. 1830 Congress passed the Indian Removal Act to require Indians to move west to Oklahoma Territory By 1835, most eastern tribes had reluctantly complied and moved West The Bureau of Indian Affairs was created in 1836 to assist the resettled tribes Forced Relocation to Oklahoma Territory (Map)

28. Indian Removal Policy continued… Georgia moved to seize Cherokee lands and the Indians appealed to the Supreme Court (1) Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831): The Supreme Court ruled that the Cherokees were not a foreign nation with the right to sue in a federal court (2) Worcester v. Georgia (1832): the high court ruled that the laws of Georgia had no force within the boundaries of the Cherokee territory In this clash between a state’s laws and the federal courts, Jackson sided with the states He said defiantly, “John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it.” The Cherokees were eventually moved to Oklahoma (1838)along the Trail of Tears during which 4000 died. Trail of Tears by Robert Lindneux

29. The Bank War By the time of Jackson, Biddle’s BUS was a villain in the eyes of the poor everywhere. In the West it was hated because it curbed the inflationary practices of the state banks. Eastern workers viewed the BUS as a financial monopoly inconsistent with democracy. Henry Clay championed the BUS and convinced a majority of Congress to pass a bank-recharter bill Consequently, Jackson’s bank war was popular. He vetoed the re-chartering bill in 1832, and beginning in 1833, began to withdraw federal funds from the bank even though it’s charter would not expire until 1836. Democratic cartoon shows Jackson slaying the monster Bank nicknamed “hydra of corruption”

30. The Bank War continued… Clay wanted this issue to bolster his prospects for the presidential election in 1832- it backfired, Jackson won with more than ¾’s of the electoral vote Along with Treasury Secretary Roger Taney, Jackson transferred funds to various state banks, which Jackson’s critics called “pet banks” 1833 Democratic cartoon shows Jackson destroying the devil's Bank

31. Public Land Policy Jackson favored a generous land policy to encourage settlement and bring more land under cultivation. The early 1830s saw a great deal of land speculation. (led to inflation) To bring this under control, in 1836 Jackson would authorize the Treasury Department to issue a Specie Circular, a decree that required all public lands to be purchased with “hard,” or metallic, money. This slowed land speculation but also brought hard feelings and hard times for the West. As banknotes lost value and land sales plummeted-the Panic of 1837- plunged the nation into a depression Matters worsened in 1836, when Jackson issued the "Specie Circular", which required payment in gold and silver coinage in exchange for federal land, triggering the Panic of 1837. During those economically depressed years, coins largely disappeared from circulation. A large number of privately issued pieces, called "Hard Times" tokens, appeared in response. Above is one of these tokens.

32. From Jackson to Van Buren Just as President Van Buren took office, the nation was in the grips of a depression: -banks closed -Whigs were quick to blame Democrats for their laissez- faire economics -Whigs were poised to take the White House in the election of 1840 Programs applied decades later to alleviate economic crisis eluded both Van Buren and his opponents. Van Buren's remedy--continuing Jackson's deflationary policies--only deepened and prolonged the depression.

33. The Log Cabin and Hard Cider Campaign (1840) Whigs were better organized than the Democrats in the election and ran a war hero William Henry “Tippecanoe” Harrison The Whigs ran Harrison with John Tyler (former states’ rights Democrat) and won with 53 percent of the vote Harrison died of pneumonia less than a month after winning President Tyler (“His Accidency”) became the first vice-president to succeed to the presidency Poster of Harrison's accomplishments

34. The Jacksonian Era Ends President Tyler proved to be not much of a Whig He vetoed the Whigs’ national bank bill and other forms of legislation He favored southern and expansionist Democrats The Jacksonian era was in its last stage, and came to an end with the Mexican War and the increased focus on the issue of slavery. As President, Tyler opposed the Whig platform and vetoed several of their proposals. As a result, most of his cabinet resigned, and the Whigs, dubbing him His Accidency, expelled him from the party.

35. Timeline 1828 - Tariff Act - Andrew Jackson elected seventh president 1830 - Webster-Hayne debate 1831 - Alexis de Tocqueville visits United States - Peggy Eaton Affair - Nat Turner slave rebellion - Maysville Road bill vetoed - William Lloyd Garrison publishes The Liberator 1832 - Tariff Act - Nullification controversy - Jackson vetoes bill to recharter Second Bank of the U.S. - Telegraph invented - Reaper invented

36. Timeline 1834 - Whig Party formed 1836 - Texas Revolution - Martin Van Buren elected eighth president - Ralph Waldo Emerson's Nature published - Transcendentalism 1837 - Panic of 1837 - Gag Rule in Congress - Specie Circular - Charles River Bridge v. Warren Bridge 1840 - William Henry Harrison elected ninth president - Independent Treasury Act 1841 - Harrison dies; John Tyler becomes tenth president

37. Key Names, Events, and Terms Common man Universal suffrage Party nominating convention “King Caucus” Popular election of president Anti-Masonic Party Workingmen’s party Spoils system Tariff of 1828 “Tariff of Abomination” Andrew Jackson Popular campaigning Rotation in office Peggy Eaton Affair Indian Removal Act (1830) Cherokee Nation v. Georgia Worchester v. Georgia Trail of Tears Nullification Crisis Webster-Hayne debate John C. Calhoun Second Bank of the United States Nicholas Biddle Democrats; Whigs Roger Taney “per banks” Specie Circular Panic of 1837 Martin Van Buren

38. Question President Jackson’s response to Supreme Court decisions on the treaty rights of Native Americans resulted in which of the following? (a)Jackson’s loss of popularity among working-class voters (b)Indian uprisings in the eastern states (c)the division of tribal lands into family units (d)impeachment of the president for not enforcing the law (e)the forced removal of Cherokees from their lands in Georgia

39. Answer E: the forced removal of Cherokees from their lands in Georgia