The Jacksonian Era American History

Election of 1824 John Quincy Adams vs. Andrew Jackson Jackson wins popular vote No majority in electoral college Clay swings House to elect Adams “corrupt bargain” – Clay appointed secretary of state

Expansion of Democracy Formed Democratic-Republican party Anti-elitist Eased voting requirements

Appeal to the “common man” Portrayed himself as a man of humble origins “Old Hickory” Former war hero

Inauguration of Jackson - 1829 The President’s Levee, or All Creation Going to the White House – Robert Cruikshank

Spoils System “To the victor belong the spoils of the enemy.” Common people – participate in govt. Fired 10% of federal workers Replaced them with “friends” of Jackson for 4 year terms

Spoils System Questions Can you think of any modern day examples of the spoils system? Evaluate the spoils system. Is it ever appropriate for political office? Other jobs?

Indian Removal Act Options: Assimilation Allow them to remain Removal Indian Removal Act of 1830 - enabled the government to make (or in Jackson’s mind – force) treaties with natives that would involve relocating west in exchange for keeping their identity/customs

Worcester v. Georgia - 1832 Supreme court recognized the Cherokee Nation as a distinct political community whose people Georgia was not entitled to regulate by law and whose lands Georgia was not entitled to invade. “John Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it.” – Andrew Jackson

Trail of Tears 800 mi forced march 4000+ Cherokee died Govt officials stole money and outlaws stole livestock

Tariff of Abominations (1828) Increased tariff to protect infant American industries Reduced British exports to US  Britain bought less cotton South forced to buy more expensive Northern manufactured goods North getting rich at the expense of the South

Questions What is a tariff? Why are they used?

Nullification Theory Where have we seen Nullification theory before? John C. Calhoun of South Carolina – Jackson’s Vice President questioned the legality of applying some federal laws in sovereign states Sovereign states should have the right to determine if act of congress is constitutional Where have we seen Nullification theory before? A: VA + KY Resolutions

Nullification Theory (cont.) Daniel Webster (Ma) & Robert Hayne (SC) debate states’ rights in Senate Was the Union the creation of the states or the people? Jackson: “Our Union: it must be preserved” Calhoun: “The Union, next to our liberty, most dear”

South Carolina and the tariff SC declares tariffs of 1828 and 1832 “null and void” Threaten to secede if customs officials tried to collect duties Jackson declares actions treasonous and threatens to hang Calhoun and invade SC Force Bill – Jackson could use army and navy against SC if state auth. resisted payment Great Compromise - Henry Clay stopped an inevitable military conflict with a compromise to gradually reduce the tariffs

Jackson and Slavery Abolitionist Pleas and Petitions Nullifiers linked this to tariff as sectional oppression Not a moral issue  only political Gag Rule – kept abolitionist petitions out of Congress Jackson approved interception of anti-slavery mail in the South

Attacking the National Bank Jackson vetoed the bill to recharter the Bank of the United States (BUS) Why? He had lost money in financial speculations Saw the bank as an agent of the wealthy Threat to American Democracy Nicholas Biddle, bank president, extended loans to congressmen at much lower rates than the average citizen

Pet Banks “The bank, Mr. Van Buren, is trying to kill me, but I will kill it” – Andrew Jackson Pressured secretary of the treasury to withdraw all govt. deposits from BUS and place them in state (“pet”) banks 1836 – charter expired 1841 – BUS closed its doors

What is the overall comment of the cartoon? Who would support this view of Andrew Jackson? What do they cite as evidence for this portrayal?

Consequences of the Bank Established New York as new financial capital Jackson’s tactics and policies angered some in his own party Whig Party (1834) – formed by Henry Clay and Daniel Webster Opposed to an excessively powerful chief executive

Changing the Face of Politics Jackson Predecessors 1. aggressive 2. less experienced 3. less educated 4. common 5. westerner/frontiersman 1. passive 2. college educated 3. elite 4. easterners/ polished/sophisticated

Jackson’s Legacy Elections - Popularity contest Panic of 1837 Legacy of two parties Average citizen became more politically aware and involved

In Case you Just Woke Up http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7invm9TiKU