The Jackson Era 1824 to 1845 Chapter Twelve

Jacksonian Democracy Section One

A) Election of 1824

The Jeffersonian Republicans From 1816 to 1824, the United States had only one political party, the Jeffersonian Republicans, but differences soon led to the creation of other parties.

President James Monroe In 1824, President James Monroe decided not to run for a third term. Four candidates ran for the office: John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay, Andrew Jackson, and William Crawford.

Presidential Candidates Henry Clay, Kentucky William Crawford, Georgia John Quincy Adams, Massachusetts Andrew Jackson, Tennessee

Favorite Sons Clay and Jackson were “favorite son” candidates, which means they got the support of their home state instead of the national party.

Election of 1824 In the election, Jackson received the most popular votes (a hero of the War of 1812), but did not get a majority vote (more than half). He did get the plurality or largest share of the vote.

Election of 1824

Jackson Wins?? The 12th Amendment said that in this case, the House of Representatives would choose the President.

Corrupt Bargain In the Corrupt Bargain, Jackson loses to Adams. He claimed that Henry Clay used his influence as Speaker of the House to sway the House in favor of Adams in exchange for the Secretary of State position. House seats Adams  109 votes 51.17% Jacksonian  104 votes 48.83% **The earlier distinction between Democratic-Republican and Federalist had dissolved at this time, with Representatives and Senators being grouped into Adams supporters (the Adams-Clay factions of the previous parties) and Jackson supporters (the Jackson factions of the previous parties). Crawford's supporters were divided between the Adams and Jackson factions.

President John Quincy Adams During Adams’ presidency, his policies were not popular with the people who wanted limited government. This put him in jeopardy.

Election of 1828

Election of 1828 In 1828, the party split into the Democratic Republicans who supported Jackson and the National Republicans who supported Adams.

Democratic Republicans Led by Andrew Jackson Favored states rights Favored limited federal government Party of the “common man” from the woods

National Republicans Led by John Quincy Adams Favored strong federal government Party of the merchants and farmers

Mudslinging The campaign was the dirtiest and nastiest in American history with mudslinging from each side. They attacked each other personally and politically. **For example, Jackson married his wife Rachel in 1791. They thought she was divorced but it turned out her divorce was not finalized! Adams used this to say Jackson was not fit.

Election of 1828 Jackson won by a land slide victory with the help of the southern and western states. John C. Calhoun, a major southern supporter, helped with the victory.

b) Jackson as President

Jackson’s Inauguration Jackson was the common man’s president who was one of them. Thousands of people came for his inauguration and trashed the White House during the parties.

Jackson’s Inauguration Andrew Jackson threw a muddy, drunken mess of a White House block party after his inauguration.

Jackson Faces the British During the Revolutionary War, 14 year old Andrew Jackson and his older brother Robert were captured by British soldiers in the Battle of Hanging Rock. The officer in command ordered Jackson to clean his boots. Jackson refused. The officer raised his sword to strike a violent blow at the boy's head. Jackson received a sword cut to the face for his refusal.

Jackson as a War Hero Andrew Jackson was a hero of the War of 1812 leading the Americans to a resounding victory over the British at the Battle of New Orleans.

Old Hickory Jackson was a rough and tough man born in a log cabin. He was orphaned at age15 when his mother passed away. Jackson was an Indian fighter and a war hero. He was nicknamed Old Hickory by his men because he was as tough as a hickory stick.

Few Changes for Many Many believed that with Jackson things would change for the better for ALL Americans including women, African Americans, and Native Americans. However, these groups still could not vote and had very few rights. Jackson did change suffrage for white men by taking away the land owning requirement to vote. Now 80% of white men could vote.

Nominating Conventions In 1828, the states decided to let the people elect their presidential electors, not the state legislatures. Also, the caucus system (members of Congress) was replaced by nominating conventions. Delegates from the states chose presidential candidates.

Spoils System The Democrats wanted to eliminate the bureaucracy in Washington – this is when nonelected officials carry out the laws. Jackson fired many of these bureaucrats, but replaced them with his friends and supporters. Politicians did not like this. “To the victors belong the spoils…”

Election of 1832 In the election of 1832, the Democrats held their first nominating convention in Baltimore where Jackson won the nomination. He went on to win the Presidency in a landslide victory.

c) Tariff Debate

Debate over Tariffs Many Americans argued over the issue of tariffs, which are taxes on imported goods paid by the merchants who, in turn, raise their prices to cover the tax.

Debate over Tariffs In 1828, Congress passed a tariff bill that was welcomed by the North who liked higher prices on European goods (their competition). It was hated by the South who did not like higher prices on things they bought.

Tariff of Abominations This was called the Tariff of Abominations by the South who threatened to nullify this law.

John C. Calhoun John C. Calhoun also argued for the South to secede, or withdraw, from the United States if they passed the tariff. He felt that the states had the ultimate decision. Nullification Act from South Carolina

Nullification Crisis

Daniel Webster Daniel Webster of Massachusetts argued with Robert Hayne of South Carolina that nullification would mean the end of the Constitution and the United States. States could not override the Federal government.

Jackson’s Response In the end, Jackson decided that the United States must remain strong no matter what. He did not support the South and their ideas even though he was a Southerner himself (from Tennessee). In 1832 Congress passed a smaller tariff bill to stop the fighting with the South. “…if one drop of blood is shed there in opposition to the laws of the United States, I will hang the first man I can get my hands on from the first tree I can find…”

The Force Bill South Carolina did pass the Nullification Act while Jackson worked over the next several years to lower the tariff. Jackson also pushed the Force Bill that gave the president the power to use the U.S. Army to enforce laws. This was aimed at South Carolina.

Calhoun backs down South Carolina eventually accepted the lower tariff but never abandoned the idea that they had the right to secede if they wanted. **South Carolina was the first state to secede during the Civil War.