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JACKSONIAN DEMOCRACY
§ Election of 1824: Andrew Jackson vs. John Quincy Adams. Jackson gets the largest number of electoral votes and popular votes but does not get a majority. “A corrupt bargain:” Henry Clay throws his support to Adams who wins the presidency, Clay is then appointed Secretary of State. § Election of 1828: “ The people’s voice needs to be heard.” Election gets dirty and personal (mudslinging). Voter turnout soars: 1824 300,000 votes cast à 1828 1.1 million votes cast. Age of the Common Man § Jackson’s inauguration turns into a celebration of the “common man” § westerner: uneducated, tough, frontiersman, Indian killer, a duelist, a brawler, a war hero, born in poverty in the backwoods to immigrant parents § Americans can identify with him and also look up to him, a typical American An Increase in Democracy § glorification of the “common man” à belief that ordinary citizens would govern themselves § More Americans have become part of the democratic process § property requirements for voting were removed
JACKSONIAN PRESIDENCY (1829—1837)
Spoils System: rewarded friends and supporters with political jobs. “To the victor goes the spoils.” Allowed more citizens to take part in government Power of the Veto: Jackson uses the power of the veto more than the 6 previous presidents combined Indian Removal: Jackson favors relocating all of the Indians in the East to Indian Territory in the West (Oklahoma Territory – west of the Mississippi River). § Cherokee nation of Georgia resists removal. They had become civilized and established their own government (United States had recognized their sovereignty). § Worcester v. Georgia (1832): Supreme Court rules in favor of Cherokee, cannot be removed from their land. o “John Marshall made his decision, now let him enforce it” – Jackson § Trail of Tears: 15,000 Cherokee forcibly removed from Georgia. 4,000 die from disease, starvation, cold, fatigue Tariff of Abominations: 1828 high tariff passed by Congress that favored northern manufacturing at the expense of the South. South Carolina Exposition and Protest: essay written by John C. Calhoun rejecting nationalism and supporting states’ rights – argues states can nullify (cancel, reject) a law they find unconstitutional. Nullification Crisis: Tariff of 1832 reduces tariff but South Carolina takes action, nullifies the tariff and threatens to secede. § Force Bill (1833): Authorized President to take action in S.C. and enforce the collection of the tariff. Warns SC of treason. Compromise of 1833: lowers tariff and reduces tension. Civil War is avoided. Jackson, though a supporter of states’ rights, rejects nullification and preserves the Union. The Bank War: Second National Bank created in 1816 (McCulloch v. Maryland, 1819, rules the bank constitutional). Jackson opposes the bank – feels that its controlled by the rich and a threat to the common man. Jackson kills the bank – vetoes the charter. Sees himself as representing the people. Jackson vs. Biddle (President of the bank): Jackson removes federal funds from the Bank and deposits them in state ‘pet banks’ Panic of 1837: ease of credit in pet banks led to rise of speculation of public lands – Specie Circular 1836 required payment for pubic lands in hard money (gold and silver). Resulted in the economic recession. Rise of the Whigs: begins as an anti Jackson movement, supported by educated and wealth professionals. “King Andrew” is abusing his power In the Election of 1840 the Whigs run William Henry Harrison – brings political campaigning to new heights (“The Log Cabin and Hard Cider campaign.”) William Henry Harrison wins the Election. Largest voter turnout in history (80%).
