American History: Chapter 9 Jacksonian America

Election of 1828

The Rise of Mass Politics Jackson points of note: orphaned Carolinas to Tennessee duels, stabbings, bloody fights...oh my first President from the West second president w/o college education risen from the masses, though not one

The Rise of Mass Politics Jackson's Inauguration thousands came to see this American hero "Old Hickory" open to everyone got a little out-of-hand for conservatives...oh good grief

The Rise of Mass Politics

The Rise of Mass Politics Age of Jackson More Americans (white males) participated in politics (econ. equality not changing) Property requirements and taxpaying requirements disappeared in many states State Constitutions changed (West and East did so to keep people from moving out west) Voting did NOT extend to women or African Americans Western states gain more prominence

The Rise of Mass Politics Dorr Rebellion 1842 Forced conservatives in RI to adopt a new constitution that expanded suffrage 1663, really? “People’s Party” 2 operating governments in RI Dorr rebellion failed did make some changes

The Rise of Mass Politics In the South election laws favored planters and politicians from older counties, limited influence of new western areas Un otro thingo about the South By 1828 state electors elected by the people, not congressional caucuses Except in SC

The Rise of Mass Politics Continued Presidential electors: Traditionally chosen by state legislatures 1828: all but SC allowed popular vote of electors Presidential election trends: 1824: 27% of adult white males voted 1828: 58% of adult white males voted 1840: 80% of adult white males voted Democracy in America: Alexis de Tocqueville Argued that America lacked typical aristocracies, people could rise and fall

The Rise of Mass Politics Continued 1820s/30s saw permanent, institutionalized parties Began at state level in NY w/ Martin Van Buren’s factional “Bucktails” 2 parties would “check” and “balance” each other 1830s: two party system at the national level Democrats (Jackson) and Whigs (Clay)

The Rise of Mass Politics Continued The “Common Man” President Equality for all white males Against wealthy, eastern establishments (BUS) Dem. party embraced no uniform ideological position extend opportunity to rising classes of west and south

The Rise of Mass Politics Jacksonian Democracy Spoils System-reward supporters with offices “Political Machines” in the North A. J.- “every man is as good as his neighbor” new blood better than an old aristocratic/bureaucratic class 20% fed. officials replaced

The Rise of Mass Politics Jacksonian Democracy The will of the American people should govern Voters should directly elect national offices President and Senators We still have an Electoral College for The President, we directly elect Senators

The Rise of Mass Politics Continued National Party Convention: Re-nominated Jackson in 1832 Replaced the congressional caucus w/ vote of people National Party Convention and Spoils System upset established elites did little to really transfer power to the people

“Our Federal Union” John C. Calhoun: VP under JQ Adams and Jackson (1st Term) 1828 Tariff of Ab. cause for stagnation in So. econ. mostly b/c overuse of land and opening of west raised the price of manufactured goods forced foreign markets to impose tariffs (So. exported goods) anxiety over federal interference regarding slavery Missouri Compromise debate 1822 Denmark Vesey (free black led an aborted slave revolt in Charleston)

“Our Federal Union” John C. Calhoun: Wrote South Carolina Exposition and Protest (1828) ("Let the New England beware how she imitates the Old") Urged states to nullify the Tariff of Abominations Argued since the states created the federal government, they had the ability to nullify federal laws flags at half mast argued the Tariff violated the Constitution argued the states had the right to nullify the Tariff sound familiar?

“Our Federal Union” Rise of M. V . B. member of A. J’s Cabinet and Kitchen Cabinet: Group of official and unofficial advisors to Jackson A. J’s hand-picked successor to Presidency Calhoun sees writing on the wall

“Our Federal Union” Continued Webster-Hayne Debate: States’ Rights (Hayne) v. National Power (Webster) 1830...temp. stop to sale of west lands...Hayne felt this benefitted eastern elite wanted south to join with west to combat “tyranny” Hayne advocated nullification “Second Reply to Hayne” Webster advocated national power, how dare you question Union integrity “Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable.”

“Our Federal Union” Continued Andrew Jackson: “Our Federal Union-It must be preserved” splitsville for he and Calhoun

“Our Federal Union” Continued Nullification Crisis: Calhoun becomes Senator from SC SC nullified tariffs of 1828 and 1832 SC State Elections in 1832 "Nullies" gain more than 2/3 majority convene in a special convention declare the Tariff to be null and void in SC threaten to leave the Union if Washington tried to collect duties

“Our Federal Union” Continued Jackson sent naval force and military to SC prepared to send army issued a proclamation against the nullification (this was countered by a SC proclamation) we are at an impass...so what do we do?

“Our Federal Union” Continued we compromise of course… Henry Clay (remember, not fond of Jackson) new Tariff in 1833 reduction of rates 10% over the next 8 years disliked by north, favored by south

“Our Federal Union” Continued Congress also passed the Force Bill ("Bloody Bill") President could use military might to collect federal tariff duties ž

“Our Federal Union” Continued Take away from this… no "winner" in this avoidance of a civil war for the time being no real resolution Henry Clay-hero and the "Great Compromiser" ž

The Removal of Indians Indian Removal Act (1830) Aimed to move southern tribes to west of MS River Jackson advocated removal of Natives west of Mississippi River G. W’s administration recognized them as foreign nations (formally purchase lands) Many thought “Christianize and Civilize” Many tribes violently resisted Many viewed Indians as a barrier to American economic advancements

The Removal of Indians “5 Civilized Tribes” Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek, Chaickasaw, and Seminole Cherokee had written constitution, legal code, agri. economy Located in the South – GA, AL, MS, FL

The Removal of Indians When gold was discovered on their land, Georgia tried to assert authority over the Cherokees Cherokees appeal to Supreme Court Cherokees v. Georgia (1831) Worcester v. Georgia (1832) Supreme Court stated Natives could NOT be forced to move Jackson ignores the decision

The Removal of Indians Trail of Tears: Winter of 1838 Forced removal of 1,000s of Natives 1/8 died during or shortly after arriving out west

The Removal of Indians Many Indians distrusted the Americans Black Hawk led a resistance to the eviction defeated 1832 (Jefferson Davis and Abe Lincoln involved)

The Removal of Indians 1835-1842 guerilla warfare waged in the Florida swamps by the Seminoles Osceola (leader) captured under the guise of a truce

The Removal of Indians Mid-19th Century Americans believed: western lands had no pre-existing civilizations Natives could not be equal partners Natives were obstacles to overcome Natives lacked “intelligence, industry, and moral habit for improvement”

Jackson and the Bank War Maysville Road Veto: Jackson vetoed bill that was part of intrastate commerce

Jackson and the Bank War Bank Crisis Jackson despised big business and monopolistic banks (Bank of the U.S.) Bank of U.S. minted gold and silver, not paper Paper notes printed by private banks (value of the notes fluctuated) Jackson felt the Bank of U.S. policies influenced the Panic of 1819 Nicholas Biddle: President of the BUS (privately owned)

Jackson and the Bank War Hard Money Advocates: Favored payment with gold and silver Wealthy would favor Soft Money Advocates Favored paper money Poor would favor, lead to inflation concerned about speculation

Jackson and the Bank War 1832 Congress passed a renewal to the Bank's charter (proposed by Clay and Webster) the charter was up for renewal in 1836, but Clay wanted to make it an issue for election of 1832 Jackson vetoed this unconstitutional (b/c it was monopolistic) (McCullugh v. Maryland 1819 Supreme Court determined it was constitutional) harmful to the nation (only served the wealthy) (Jackson is saying the president trumped 2/3 of Congress)

Jackson and the Bank War Election of 1832… no contest Jackson reelected (Clay had deeper pockets) first time a third party candidate was involved (Anti-Masonic) National Conventions (nominated candidates, Anti-Masonic and National Republicans adopted formal platforms)

Jackson and the Bank War Jackson viewed election results as mandate to slay the B. U. S.

Jackson and the Bank War Continued Removal of Bank Deposits: “bleed them dry” Jackson removed all government deposits from the BUS and placed in state “pet” banks (help facilitate loans to farmers) problem was many state banks were unregulated Biddle calls in loans (contratcts loans too much) Economic crisis ensues 1836 B. U. S. dies

Jackson and the Bank War Continued Roger B. Taney Jackson’s Treasury Secretary (after first 2 fired) appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court after Marshall died (1835)

Jackson and the Bank War Continued Charles River Bridge v. Warren Bridge (1837): monopoly toll bridge or toll-free bridge Contracts could be breached if it benefited the community In essence, it reversed Dartmouth College v. Woodward

The Changing Face of American Politics Dems: expanded opportunity for white males limited gov’t (open up opportunity) attack corruption rad. group known as Locofocos Whigs: Formed in response to “King Andrew I” Favored strong central government Promoted industry and internal improvements (especially in the West) Anti-Mason Party 1st 3rd Party Anti-secret society

The Changing Face of American Politics Democrats: smaller merchants, workers of NE, west farmers, southern planters suspicious of industry, Irish and German Catholics Whigs “Great Triumvirate” (Clay, Webster, Calhoun), NE merchants, wealthy Southern planters, western commercialists connected w/Anti-Masons, evangelical Protestants

The Changing Face of American Politics Continued Van Buren elected on economic boom (tariffs, land sales, etc…) surpluses given to state banks inherited: rebellion in Canada anti-slavery movement in the north annexation of Texas Specie Circular (1836): All payments for land must be in gold or silver Helped contribute to………

The Changing Face of American Politics Continued Panic of 1837: Causes: Overspeculation Crop failures Panics in Europe (w/draw funds from U. S.) Effects: 100s of banks failed Unemployment grew Prices of land dropped Independent Treasury: Van Buren’s Divorce Bill Government money would no longer be in private banks

The Changing Face of American Politics Continued Election of 1840 Whigs gonna make sure we get this right this time MVB v. “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too” (William Henry Harrison) “Log Cabins and Hard Cider” “Get the ball rolling”

The Changing Face of American Politics Continued Clay and boys really run the show WHH not highly thought of Uh Billy boy, you might want to get that cough checked out WHH dies 30 days into his presidency

The Changing Face of American Politics Continued Tyler “His Ascendency” Square peg, round hole Democrat at heart, hated Jackson Whig with a democratic lean at odds with Whigs over National Bank, protective tariffs, internal improvements called "His Accidency" and "Executive Ass" image burned in effigy influenza spreading termed the "Tyler Grippe"

The Changing Face of American Politics Continued Tyler Tyler vetoes Clays efforts for a new Nat'l Bank ("Fiscal Bank," "Fiscal Corporation") Tyler reluctantly signs a protective tariff (helped get country slowly out of the depression) Tyler expelled from the Whig Party

The Changing Face of American Politics Continued Caroline: U. S. supply ship attacked on the U. S. side of the Niagra depicted as a horrific act of violence reality...killed 1 American, boat sank before it got to the falls

The Changing Face of American Politics Continued Creole: 1841, 100 slaves rebelled and captured the Creole Britain offered asylum to VA slaves in Bahamas

The Changing Face of American Politics Continued “Aroostook War” territory in Maine disputed (conflict between lumberjacks in Maine and Canada) Britain wanted a road from Halifax to Quebec Lord Ashburton (wealthy financier) sent to meet with Webster compromise… U. S. gets more land (7,000 of the 12,000) U. S. also gets Mesabi iron ore region of MN Britain gets its road

The Changing Face of American Politics Continued Webster-Ashburton Treaty Resolved a boundary dispute between Maine and Canada

The Changing Face of American Politics Continued Treaty of Wang Hya (1844): Caleb Cushing Americans received trading rights in China Extraterritoriality