Democracy in the Age of Jackson 1824-1840 Chapter 11

Overview Changes in Democracy: The Argument Over States’ Rights Suffrage Spoils System New Political Parties The Argument Over States’ Rights Sectionalism Tariff: is it good or bad? Nullification & Secession Treatment of Native Americans Indian Removal Act Trail of Tears

Andrew Jackson “Old Hickory” Born in a log cabin in South Carolina. His family was poor. His father died before he was born and his mother died when he was 15. At the age of 13 he fought in the Revolutionary War. Won the Battle of New Orleans during (after) the War of 1812. Served two terms as President (1829-1837) Jackson was a common man and a war hero.

Suffrage 1836 The United States was growing rapidly. Frontier life encouraged a democratic spirit and this was reflected in the voting laws. More people gained suffrage, or the right to vote. In the new western states, any white man over age 21 could vote. In eastern states, reformers worked to expand suffrage. By the 1830s, most eastern states had dropped the requirement that voters own land.

How did suffrage change? After: Male White Over 21 Before: Male White Over 21 Own land This change allowed a lot more people the right to vote: factory workers, sharecroppers, etc.

“To the victor belong the spoils.” The Spoils System “To the victor belong the spoils.” Jackson rewarded his supporters and friends with government jobs (even if they weren’t qualified!). Help me get elected and I’ll give you a government job. Thanks, dude! Advantage: Jackson said that ordinary Americans were capable of performing government jobs

The Kitchen Cabinet Most of Jackson’s Cabinet were unqualified so he got advice from other people. Since this unofficial cabinet met in the White House kitchen, it became known as the Kitchen Cabinet. Andy, I think you should get rid of the Indians. Sounds good. Now pass me another ham sandwich, please.

The Growing Spirit of Equality Affected Voting Rights Suffrage Expands Political Parties Change The “Common Man” Rises More white men are eligible to vote. Property qualifications for voters end. Voter turnout is nearly 80 percent in 1840 election. The caucus system ends Nominating conventions are held to choose presidential candidates. Ordinary people now have a say in choosing their candidates. The spoils system lets ordinary citizens participate in government. Ideas about social classes change.

New Political Parties From 1820 to 1825 there was only one political party. It was an “Era of Good Feelings”. But sectionalism (conflict among geographic sections of the country) would split the country.

National Republicans, known as Whigs People who supported Adams and his programs for national growth became known as Whigs. Wanted the federal government to spur the economy. Supporters included eastern business people, some southern planters, and former Federalists. Democrats Jackson and his supporters called themselves Democrats. Supporters included the common people—frontier farmers and eastern factory workers. New Political Parties The two new political parties developed more democratic ways for choosing candidates for President. They got rid of the caucus, or private meeting, for choosing candidates. Instead, each party began to hold a nominating convention, where delegates from the states chose the party’s candidate.

Sectionalism & the argument over states’ rights SOUTH WEST NORTH Different regions of the country disagreed over what the government should do. The biggest argument was over the tariff (tax on imported goods).

Tariff: is it good or bad? In 1828, Congress passed the highest tariff in the history of the nation. Southerners called it the Tariff of Abominations. (outrage or scandal) Northern manufacturers favored the tariff, which protected them from foreign competition. Southern planters were against the tariff. It raised the cost of the manufactured goods they bought from Europe. You’re an idiot. The tariff makes imports more expensive! The tariff is good! It protects the stuff I make. Sectionalism

States’ Rights: Nullification & Secession The Constitution divided powers between the federal and state governments (federalism), but there were still arguments over what the federal government could do. Southerners were angered over the tariff. South Carolina nullified it because they thought it was unconstitutional. NO TARIFF John Calhoun of South Carolina said states had the right to nullify federal laws.

States’ Rights: Nullification & Secession South Carolina threatened to secede or withdraw from the United States. Jackson asked Congress to pass the Force Act which would allow him to use military force against South Carolina. We hate your stupid tariff. We don’t want to be part of your country anymore. SC John Calhoun gave in. South Carolina agreed to the tariff.

Native Americans Indian Territory Jackson asked Congress to pass the Indian Removal Act which it did in 1830. The law forced all Native Americans in the East to move west of the Mississippi River.

Native Americans Are Forced From Their Homeland In Florida, the Seminole Indians resisted removal. From 1817 to 1818, they fought the United States Army in a conflict known as the first Seminole War. The second Seminole War lasted from 1835 to 1842. The third Seminole War ended in 1858. The Seminoles were finally defeated. The federal government forced most Seminoles to leave Florida.

Trail of Tears The worst of the removals was that of the Cherokee Nation whose home was in Georgia. During the forced march from Georgia to the Indian Territory in present day Oklahoma, 4,000 Cherokees died.