“In the Full enjoyment of the gifts of Heaven and the fruits of superior industry, Economy, and virtue, every man is equally entitled to protection by the law; but when the laws undertake to add to those natural and just advantages artificial Distinctions…and exclusive privileges…the humble members of society---the Farmers, mechanics, and laborers…have a right to complain of the injustice of Their government.” Andrew Jackson, 1832 Chapter 13: The Rise of Mass Democracy 1824--1840

Before 1815, men of ability sat in the governmental seats of power in America. The prevailing ideology was ‘republicanism”- rule by “men of TALENTS and VIRTUE” as one newspaper stated. Most of these leaders had feared popular rule, so they built constitutions with Bills of Rights, bicameral legislatures, independent courts, and they criticized men who campaigned for office. By the 1820’s & 1830’s- things had changed. Democracy & party politics meant men who avidly campaigned for office. They Rallied supporters with newspapers, public speeches, and parades. Elections turned into a competition for the votes of ordinary men.

Democracy in the Early Republic May 11, 1831- A twenty-six year old Frenchman (Alexis de Tocqueville) stepped ashore in NY City. He visited the US for 9 months, visited cities from Boston to Washington, floated down the Mississippi River to New Orleans. Four years later, de Tocqueville wrote “Democracy in America” “Among the novel objects that attracted my attention during my stay in the United States, nothing struck me more forcibly than the general equality of condition among the people.” De Tocqueville noted the gross inequality of slavery, but considered it unique to America only. By 1828 in America.. Almost 1.2 million American voters (50% of white adult male population in the US) had voted in the election that year (in France—less than 200,000 could vote, in England about 800,000 could vote. Politicians openly campaigned for office, parties appealed to voters through speeches, banners, parades, barbeques, free drinks, baby kissing and songs. By 1840, voter turnout reached 78% in America.

The County Election, 1852

Expansion of the “franchise” (right to vote) dramatically symbolized the Democratic Revolution of the early 1800’s. By the 1830’s, nearly all states allowed all white men to vote (a trend that began-Post American Revolution). Political Parties provided a way for voters to express preferences. At the same time, women and free blacks were denied the right to vote by many state legislatures. 1802- Ohio disenfranchised free blacks & NY (1821) intentionally placed a property restriction on black men only to prevent them from voting. NJ (1807)- invoked “biology” & custom to limit voting to ONLY MEN. “Women, generally, are neither by nature, nor habit, nor education, nor by their necessary condition in society fitted to perform this duty (voting)…” Examples: 1810- Maryland reformers called property qualifications a “tyranny” because it endowed one class of men with privileges which are denied to another. Indiana (1816), Illinois (1818), and Alabama (1819)- prescribed the franchise for white males. By 1830- only NC & Rhode Island still required possession of “freehold” property to vote.

Election of 1824

William H. Crawford [GA] The Election of 1824 Henry Clay [KY] John Quincy Adams [MA] John C. Calhoun [SC] William H. Crawford [GA]

Last of the old style elections (pre-party campaigning)! Called the “Battle of the Favorite Son’s” All four candidates claimed to be “Republicans”---well organized political campaigns had not emerged yet… Candidate confusion common---John C. Calhoun appeared as VP candidate on Adams & Jackson tickets. The Election Campaign Andrew Jackson: had the most personal appeal (War hero)—especially in the West. He campaigned against the forces of corruption & privilege there= received almost as many votes as his next two rivals combined…but did not win majority of electoral votes!! John Quincy Adams (Mass.): finished with second most electoral votes. William H. Crawford (Ga.): had a paralytic stroke in 1823…he finishes 3rd in the voting (supported by Madison & Jefferson); drops out of the race. John C. Calhoun - withdrew from the race and supported Andrew Jackson. Henry Clay (Kent.) – father of the “American System”; his program won praise in Northeast, but Southerners criticized it.

The Election of 1824 ADAMS VS. JACKSON Even with Jackson winning the popular vote, he had to win the electoral vote as well. There were 261 total electoral votes and Jackson needed 131 to win the electoral vote and the election. Jackson did not receive a majority of electoral votes to win the election. The House of Representatives had to decide winner from among top 3 vote getters (12th Amendment)

ADAMS VS JACKSON corrupt Henry Clay (the 4th place finisher was eliminated---he went back to be Speaker of the House of Representatives). Clay hated Jackson (Jackson was Clay’s rival for popularity & votes in the West also). Clay had no formal friendship or relationship with John Quincy Adams but both were NATIONALISTS and supporters of the American System. Clay met with Adams to tell him & assured Adams of his support; the House voted ---giving John Q. Adams the Presidency! A few days later , Adams appointed Henry Clay as his Secretary of State (pathway to the Presidency)…. *Jackson supporters complained of corruption and called this the **“THE CORRUPT BARGAIN”

In the diary entry for January 9, reads in part, corrupt1 The Corrupt Bargain Suspicions of a “corrupt bargain” have been strengthened by entries in the diary of John Q. Adams. On January 1, 1825, after a public dinner, he wrote, “He (Clay) told me (in a whisper) that he should be glad to have with me soon some confidential conversation upon public affairs. I said I should be happy to have it whenever it might suit his convenience.” In the diary entry for January 9, reads in part, “Mr. Clay came at six and spent the evening with me in a long conversation explanatory of the past and prospective of the future.” **There was no hard evidence of a corrupt bargain…Clay was a natural choice for Sec. of State & Adams was an honest man…deals like this had been made in the past with few complaints anyway.

John Quincy Adams1825-1829 One of the ablest men, hardest workers, and finest intellectuals ever in the White House. Tried to promote not only manufacturing and agriculture, but also the arts, literature, and science. But he lacked the common touch and refused to play the game of politics. Most found him cold and tactless. Could not build any popular support for his programs.

Presidential Priorities 1st Minority President ---only 30% voted for him! His First Message to Congress set his priorities: Build roads and canals Build a national university Build an astronomical observatory His Programs were unpopular with working class Americans Who saw his programs as a waste of money. Southerners: Why should the government pass high tariffs Which hurt the south …then take on such frivolous debts? If the federal government could interfere in a state power 9 Road building) could it one interfere with slavery? Westerners: resented Adam’s attempts to slow land Speculation And his Indian friendly policies…

John Q. Adams Indian Policy Whites in the state of GEORGIA threatened to evict the Creek & Cherokee Indians from their lands. Adams tried to deal fairly with Indians—overturned a treaty signed by the Creek nation which gave most of their land up in Ga. in 1825 because he believed the Creek had been tricked. Georgia Governor- angered by Adams threatened to use military force.

Adam’s as President Refused to oust large numbers of office holders (removed only 12) Adam is a Nationalist (Country First) when the country was moving towards sectionalism (Region First) & state’s rights

AFTER ELECTION OF 1824 POLITICAL PARTIES NATIONAL REPUBLICANS JACKSONIAN DEMOCRACY Political world changed during the New Democracy. Two new political parties emerge NATIONAL REPUBLICANS Adams, Clay and Webster strong national govt. Favored the BUS, tariffs, internal improvements, industry, public schools and moral reforms such as prohibition of liquor and abolition of slavery. Best/privileged run the govt. DEMOCRATS Jackson and Calhoun Believed in state’s rights and federal restraint in economic and social affairs. Favored the liberty of the individual and were fiercely on guard against the inroads of privilege into the government. Protected the common man.

Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) Born of Scots-Irish parents on the border of North & South Carolina Hero of the Battle of New Orleans Reputation as hot tempered; challenged three men to duel before age 40…killed Charles Dickinson but carried Dickinson’s bullet for the rest of his life. Called “Old Hickory” by supporters Depicted as a “frontiersman” who championed the “common man” (actually lived in plantation & owned slaves) Campaigned against corruption and privilege of the elite Appealed to westerners and southerners mostly His campaign is run by Martin Van Buren; campaign tried to appeal to southern planters & northern farmers (Jeffersonian values) John Quincy Adams– refused to actively campaign for office; “If my country wants my services, she must ask for them”

End corrupt Politics (with Reform) What were the key issues in 1828? End corrupt Politics (with Reform) Jackson the “frontiersman” vs. J.Q. Adams the “corrupt aristocrat” Jackson appealed to Americans who disliked parts of the American System (esp. 2ND Bank of US)

Election of 1828 Election of 1828 Jackson and J. Q. Adams ran against each other for the presidency One anti-Jackson newspaper declared, “General Jackson’s mother was a common prostitute, brought to this country by the British soldiers! She, afterwards married a mulatto man with whom she had several children, of which one was Andrew Jackson.” Anti-Adams people accused him of hiring a servant girl for a visiting Russian ambassador… Adams was accused of gambling in the White House. One of the worst elections in US History for its “mudslinging.” As a result of this, Jackson’s wife Rachel, died of a heart attack just before he became President…He blamed Adams and Clay and never forgave them…..

Rachel Jackson Final Divorce Decree

Tomb of Jackson and his wife. Jackson in Mourning for His Wife Tomb of Jackson and his wife.

The Election of 1828 ADAMS VS. JACKSON Why such a difference between the election of 1824 and 1828? Population shifts to Western States and South which gives the Common Man more political power More white men voting by 1828----why? Property restrictions and education requirements dropped. Jackson- 1st Pres. From TransAppalchian 261 total electoral votes and 131 electoral votes to win……

1790 WMA 21 yrs. old, educated and property owner……. voting WMA 21 yrs. old, educated and property owner……. Several states would drop property qualifications and education…….

The Election of 1824 The Election of 1828 Election of 1824, 355,817 voted. Election 1828, 1,155,350 voted.

Jackson’s Inaugural was a victory for the Common Man KING MOB Jackson’s Inaugural was a victory for the Common Man Thousands of commoners came to Washington, D.C. to see Jackson inaugurated…… Inaugural

Jackson’s First Hermitage Residence Born in the Carolinas and moved to Hermitage, Tennessee– Is Jackson really one of the “Common People”?

Champion of the “Common Man”? Essential Question OR “King” Andrew? Champion of the “Common Man”?

Jackson as President Saw himself as protector of the common people against abuses of power by the rich. Frugal “Jeffersonian” who opposed increasing federal spending & national debt. Vetoed more Congressional bills (12) than all six previous presidents. Champion of state’s rights, slave owner (stopped antislavery literature in US mail to South; yet, did not believe south could secede. Jackson’s Agenda: Rotation & Decentralization He relied mostly on his “Kitchen Cabinet”- two Kentuckians were most influential. Jackson used “patronage” to reward loyal party supporters, whom he provided government jobs= THE SPOILS SYSTEM. Top priority– destroy Clay’s The American System

EATON AFFAIR Peggy (O’Neal) Eaton was the wife of Jackson’s secretary of war (John Eaton) who was the target of malicious gossip by other cabinet wives Jackson became her “champion” and stood up for her because of what happened to his late wife, Rachel…. Caused many of his cabinet members to resign including VP John Calhoun a year later

EATON AFFAIR VP Calhoun resigns (1831) and goes back to South Carolina. New VP- Martin Van Buren Jackson creates the “kitchen cabinet” which were his trusted informal advisers/friends.

What were the democratic (Egalitarian) trends between 1800 to 1830?

Democratic Reforms Universal White male suffrage- voting opened to all white men The Nominating convention replaced caucus (1832-Jackson first nominated) New forms of politicking- banners, badges, parades, baby-kissing More people participating (1840 election = 78% voted).

ELECTORAL PROCESS: Reform Caucus---small group of elite party members who choose candidates to run for office for the party. 1828 to 1900 Nominating Convention---members from the political parties nominate a candidate. Eliminated, “King Caucus” Current System Used Direct Primary---allow registered voters to participate in choosing a candidate Which of these would be the most democratic way to nominate a candidate for your party to run against the opposition party for public office?

Population shift and West becomes politically powerful Jackson appealed to the Common Man attacked corruption & privilege by elites

Voter Turnout: 1820 - 1860 26.9 57.4 55.4 57.8 78 78.9 72.7 69.6 78.9 81.2

The Spoils System Spoils System: *Rewarding political supporters with public office positions, which can then be used for personal gain in some cases. Introduced in the federal government on a large scale by Jackson “Every man is as good as his neighbor” Bring in new blood- everyone can learn to govern (Rotation in Office) *Important part of the new two party system= cemented loyalty to party over economic or geographic claims. Problems with Spoils System Led to corruption, ineptitude & scandal (people bought public office, incompetents hold office)