Jacksonian Democracy

Jacksonian Themes Expanded Suffrage Power of the Elected Officials – Spoils System – Showdown with the Supreme Court Supremacy of Federal Law – Nullification Crisis Strict Constitutional Interpretations Indian Removal Battle with the B.U.S.

Jackson: The Myth Andrew Jackson came to prominence as a feared general – led numerous vicious attacks on Native Americans – won the decisive Battle of New Orleans in The War of Born in backwoods of Kentucky – self-made Viewed as a man of the people

The “Corrupt Bargain” Presidential Election of 1824 Four candidates split national vote Federal Law required the president to receive a majority of the votes (>50%) – If not, the decision would go to a vote in the House of Representatives Andrew Jackson41.3% John Quincy Adams30.9% Henry Clay13% William Harris Crawford11.2% In order to keep Jackson away from the presidency, Clay offered all of his votes to J.Q. Adams Outraged that the will of the people could be ignored in such a way, Jackson dubbed the event “the corrupt bargain.”

Universal White Male Suffrage A major reform that began in the 1820’s and was complete by Jackson’s inauguration in 1828 “Property Rights” were no longer required to vote – but only for white men At the time, this was considered a democratic success – What do we think?

Election of 1828: Jackson Wins

Jackson in Office Spoils System – newly elected officials should assign their own people to appointed offices – Considered a benefit of winning an election – From “to the victor go the spoils”

Nullification Crisis Congress passed protective Tariffs in 1828 and 1832 South Carolina felt it unfairly burdened their agrarian interests After a convention in 1832, they declared they would not enforce the federal tariff – Invoked the doctrine of “nullification”: states should not have to agree to laws if they consider it unconstitutional

Nullification Crisis Pres. Jackson was livid at the insubordination Congress responded by passing the “Force Act” – Gave Jackson the authority to send federal troops to enforce the collection of a national tax

Nullification Crisis Henry Clay and John Calhoun worked out a compromise South Carolina would agree to pay the tax if Congress agreed to gradually reduce it Carolinians were glad to conquer an unfair tax, while the federal government was able to establish its supremacy over the states