Jacksonian Democracy

Jacksonian Democracy compared with Jeffersonian Democracy Believed that capable, well-educated leaders should govern in people’s interests. Reelected chiefly an agricultural society. Limited democracy mainly to its political aspects.

Andy’s turn Jackson Believed that the people themselves should manage governmental affairs. Reflected an agricultural and industrial society. Expanded democracy to include social and economic aspects

Political aspects of the Jackson Era 1. Democracy in the states. (qualifications, elected vice appointed officials, term lengths.) 2. Democracy in Presidential elections. Down with “King Caucus”. Conventions instead.

3. Democratic view of the Presidency 3. Democratic view of the Presidency. The veto, South Carolina challenge, refusal to enforce Marshall decision regarding the Cherokee. 4. Spoils system. “To the victory belong the spoils.” Encouraged turnover and this protected against built-in aristocracy.

“He was…a democratic autocrat, an urbane savage, an atrocious saint.”

Andrew Jackson: The Good, the Bad, the Evil How could democracy simultaneously expand and decrease? What role did Jackson have in both? How did the masses of Americans participate in politics? How did American Indians react to the growth of the U.S. under the Jackson administration? What characterizes “Jacksonian Democracy”?

Remember: 1810-1840 “American Democratic Revolution” General culture of egalitarianism No monarchy or hereditary power More social, economic, and political interactions across classes compared to Europe Ideal of equal opportunity Social and religious origins of some equality Panic of 1819: Some people believed that gov’t should more actively help citizens.

Expanded Democracy for Who? No property requirements, fewer requirements for holding office Popular election of officials, electors, President Universal white male suffrage (franchisement) key to 1800-1830 American Democratic Revolution Men legally allowed to vote did not routinely vote local parties key to voter turnout; 80% adult white men by 1840

Reducing Democracy Citizen defined practically as white & male Women lacked voting rights: treated as male property, no legal status (femme covert) Increased oppression of blacks Growth of slave codes Punishment against free blacks Racial inferiorities “biological” Slave rebellions

The Political Culture of Democracy Patterns, habits, institutions, and traits associated with the political system 1824: Andrew Jackson, populist “common man” almost won; ignites new zeal for democratic elections Elections became the arena for people to express their grievances about, and influence, public policy by electing candidates to benefit them. More direct reaction to the “Will of the People”

The Rise of Andrew Jackson Born poor, became a Western lawyer Scots-Irish, farmer Popular due to his exploits 1812-1820s War hero (“Old Hickory”) Indian fighter, actions led to annexation of Florida

The Politics of Image “Jacksonian Democrats” push for Jackson’s election in 1824, 1828 Mass politics and political machines influence popularity with communication & organization Vote for the party, the policies, the person, or the perception? importance of a candidate’s popularity with the "common man"

The “Common Man” & Revolution of 1828 “Populist” image—a champion of the people, or common man (the small farmer and city worker) over the aristocracy of money, factory, and land. viewed Jackson as one of their own.; from a poor family, little formal education. Jackson had risen in the world through his own efforts. "Old Hickory,” belief that he was a tough military hero and frontiersman Since Jackson opposed special privilege and campaigned as the champion of the people, his election is often referred to as the “Revolution of 1828” Later irony of these campaign points

Not so common man… Common man’s view of Jackson too simple. Although born in poverty, became wealthy, owned a large slave plantation in TN By his election, Jackson possessed the manners, dignity, and bearing of a cultured gentleman, not a “wild frontiersman”

Election of 1828: How does this show sectionalism?

Jackson Presidency, 1828-1836 Defender of the people from big gov’t; political and economic elitism; narrow northeastern interests Regional economic differences Rejected the Nat’l Bank & “American Plan” Supported the Spoils System Reward supporters with political jobs Remove Indians, give land to white farmers

Jackson’s goals Enact vision of a politics of opportunity for “common man” Primary issues: Westward expansion, Indian relations, state powers, the Second Bank of the U.S. President should be a servant of the people, so to further their interests and protect their rights, the president had to use their powers vigorously: Used the veto more than all of the preceding presidents together Used spoils system; 20% federal positions with "deserving" members of his own party Jacksonian supporter: "To the victor belong the spoils." Prepared to use force when South Carolina challenged the authority of the federal government (nullification) Refused to enforce John Marshall's decision on Cherokee cases; as it was contrary to the people's interest (economy more important)

Jackson's enemies referred to him as “King Veto” and “King Andrew I”. They called themselves Whigs, as had the 18th century opponents, of monarchical power in England. Why would this group refer to Jackson as a king?

Indian Nations after 1812 125-200,000 Natives east of Miss. Rvr. Statehood and growth of agriculture led to ongoing debate on rights of Natives and citizens What to do? Assimilation? Extermination? Removal?

Cherokee Nation Part of the “Five Civilized Nations” Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole considered civilized because they adopted many of the colonists' customs and had generally good relations with them Had their own government Constitution Cherokee Phoenix (first N.A. newspaper) Bilingual Dictionary Schools & churches Importance of Sequoyah 

The Indian Removal Act (1830) Cherokees most vocal about opposition to removal of natives Petitioned government with over 16,000 signatures Significant removal onto “reservations” 1837-1840 Jackson disliked federal-Indian relations; mostly that federal law dictated what states could and could not do on land where Natives settled “Save” the Indians from harm of Americans living east of the Mississippi River Wanted open land for white farmers; pressure from slave holders

The Cherokee Cases, 1831-1832 “…one of the great constitutional crises in the history of the nation” (C. J. John Marshall) Cherokee v. Georgia -Tribe sued Georgia -Are Cherokees a foreign nation? -“Domestic dependent nations” -Indians and federal gov’t relations sour Worcester v. Georgia Georgia laws that purported to seize Cherokee lands on which gold had been found violated federal treaties States lack power on reservations “John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it.” Andrew Jackson

Indian Removal Removal continued into the 1840s Immigrant tribes moved into land of Indians in Southern Plains and northern Texas suffered in arid plains some attacked immigrants, start another round of “Indian Wars” Texas Rebellion & Independence in 1830s Cherokees, Shawnees & Creeks allied with Texans against Mexican government Ethnic cleansing and racial violence by Texans

Conclusions: Indian Affairs Contradictory… Indian Nations above states Direct relations with federal gov’t. Most Natives relocated west of Miss. Seminole Wars in Florida 1840s Indian Affairs shift to Plains Treaties, but gov’t would use FORCE

Nullification Crisis In 1816/1824, Congress passes tariffs to protect American manufacturing, raise revenue Southern congressmen feared tariffs would destroy southern export economy, already in decline (Europe beginning to produce again) 1828: “Tariff of Abominations” passed major goal: protect Northern industries from cheaper imports South harmed directly with higher prices, indirectly by lowering export of cotton to Britain 1832: South Carolina, led by John Calhoun, started a nullification movement Idea that states should have more power than federal gov’t (states’ rights would make federal laws “null” or powerless over states) Jackson sends warships into Charleston Harbor; creates a “force bill” to use military to uphold tariffs Henry Clay creates compromise for a lower tariff (Compromise Tariff of 1833)

“War” with the 2nd Bank of the U.S. The major political issue was his “war” against the BUS considered it a stronghold of elitism, concentrating great power in the hands of a privileged few. Henry Clay and Daniel Webster sought to recharter the bank four years early (1832) pro-Bank National Republicans clashed with the "hard-money” (banknotes backed by silver/gold instead of credit) Jackson administration and eastern banking interests Jackson veto; creates popular anti-bank feeling despite bank creating stability of economy Orders all FEDERAL DEPOSITS re-deposited in state banks Jackson issued the specie circular created a new financial panic in 1837, lasting until 1841

Conclusions for Jacksonian America VIDEO Mass politics and political parties drive idea that the common man is key to stronger America Growth & decline of democracy Religious revivalism (next class) Indian removal and resistance leads to ongoing debate over race relations Debate continues on states’ rights Sectionalism and economics