Age of Jackson Day 1 Jackson the Man American History I SRMHS Mr. Hensley

Election of 1828 Rematch of 1824: Adams vs. Jackson Beginning of modern campaigning (shaking hands, kissing babies) Jackson accused of being married to an ‘adulteress’ Adams accused of “pimping” for the Czar Jackson wins (56%) with Calhoun as VP

Jackson as a Young Man Scots-Irish: born in 1767 – same year his father dies Family dies during Revolutionary War Jackson is completely self-taught (autodidact) Passes bar, moves to Tennessee (Nashville) Becomes involved in politics and local militia

Jackson in Tennessee Jackson builds a plantation – the Hermitage – to grow cotton Hermitage has hundreds of slaves Also involved in land speculation (Memphis) Elected to Congress multiple times

Rachel Jackson Her first marriage ended in 1790 – she thought she had a legal divorce (she did not) Married Andrew twice – once while still married then a second time after divorce was finalized (1794) Most of Jackson’s duels were fought to protect her Died in Dec. of 1828, after election, as Jackson was preparing to leave for DC

Jackson’s Military Record 1814: Battle of New Orleans – our only major victory against the British Also in 1814, major defeat of the Creek 1817: Jackson takes Florida from the Spanish and defeats the Seminoles (Florida becomes part of U.S.) “Old Hickory”

Jackson’s Inauguration Jackson is the “People’s President” – crowds turn out to greet him along route March 1829: thousands gather in DC to cheer him Crowd gets unruly (alcohol) and damage White House Sets tone for his term

Spoils System Executive branch has many employees President appoints them Jackson used this power to reward friends and punish enemies Dismissed over 10% of all government employees after he took office in 1828 – replaced them with his supporters

The Eaton Affair Senator John Eaton is a close Jackson friend and his Secretary of War He is suspected of having an affair with Peggy Her husband dies, she marries Eaton She is snubbed by all the other Cabinet wives (esp. Mrs. Calhoun) – but befriended by Jackson

The Kitchen Cabinet? After Eaton Affair, Jackson replaces official Cabinet meetings with “Kitchen Cabinet” He uses veto power to punish enemies (Clay) Strongly opposes national bank and paper currency Strongly supports westward expansion

Rebranding the Democrats New Democratic Party is a coalition of local federal appointees (spoils); key newspaper editors and working men ( farmers) Views the wealthy as corrupt and too powerful Thus, Democrats are against the national bank Government as “negative”

Anyone But Jackson! In the North, the wealthy and the former Federalists oppose Jackson In the South, the wealthy plantation owners and state’s rights advocates oppose Jackson New political party – the “Whigs” begins to form (Tories vs. Whigs in GB)

Tariff of Abominations In 1828, Congress passed a protective tariff designed to help Northern industry It almost doubled the prices of British goods Reduced British demand for Southern cotton Rift between Calhoun and Jackson – Calhoun resigns in 1832

Election of 1832 Jackson versus Clay Legislative branch power or executive branch power? Government to protect the common man or government to help the wealthy elites? Jackson wins easily Van Buren becomes his new Vice President

Review: Jackson’s First Term BIG QUESTION: What changed in American politics because of Andrew Jackson? Jacksonian Democracy and the “spoils system” rebranded the Democrats as the party of the common man. Politics became less intellectual and more emotional as a result. The removal of property restrictions on voting gave poor white men in America a voice and influence they had never had before. As President, Jackson strengthened the power of the Executive at the expense of the states. .