The Jacksonian Era Chapter 12

A New Era in Politics Lesson 1

FYI-Monroe Doctrine -1823-acting independently of Britain in response to the revolutions of Latin America and European response to them. Monroe issued a bold foreign policy statement known as the Monroe Doctrine. -Monroe declared that the US would not interfere in the affairs of European nations or existing colonies of those nations. -Also stated that the US would oppose any attempt to build any new colonies in Americas Adams-Onis Treaty –Florida was bought by the US for 5 million

I. Growing Spirit of Equality Spirit of Democracy changed the way American ideas about social classes. Most believed the wealthy did not deserve special respect. Wealthy European visitors were amazed that servants wanted to be treated as equals During the 1820’s more people gained suffrage (right to vote) The first states to allow all white men 21 years old, not owning land, to vote were the ones in the west. Women, African Americans, Native Americans could not vote.

II. Disputed Election of 1824 There were 4 candidates for President in 1824. 1. All were members of the old Republican party 2. John Quincy Adams was supported in New England - uncomfortable campaigning among common folk, seen as hard and cold 3. Henry Clay and Andrew Jackson were supported in the West 4. William Crawford who was supported in the south, became to ill to campaign.

B. No clear winner emerged from the election of 1824. Jackson won the popular vote, but no candidate won the majority of the electoral votes. House of Representatives had to choose the President from the top 3 finishers. Clay was in last place so he was not considered. He was Speaker of the House and could influence the election. Clay urged the House to vote for Adams, Adams then made Clay the Secretary of State. Jackson accused both men of a corrupt bargain and stealing the election from him.

II. An Unpopular President A. Americans were as angry about the election as Jackson. B. Adams thought that the federal government should promote economic growth. 1. Wanted the government to pay for new roads and canals. 2. Wanted the government to build a national university, and an observatory so astronomers could study the stars. 3. Most Americans and Congress objected to spending money on the later programs 4. Congress did approve monies for roads and canals.

C. Election of 1828 Adams had an uphill battle for reelection. Adams and Jackson were the only two candidates. The campaign between the two was more about personal feelings than the issues. Jackson easily won the election. The people now felt there was a President that was for the common people ( many of those common people went to his inauguration)

III. New Political Parties By the 1830s, a new political party emerged which replaced the Federalists party. The Whigs were supporters of Adams. 1. business people, some southern planters, and former federalists 2. They liked his idea that the federal government should spur the economy. C. Jackson and his supporters called themselves the Democrats. 1. frontier farmers and workers in eastern cities 2. This is where today’s Democratic party got its start.

D. By 1830’s, each party began to hold nominating conventions to choose the party’s candidate for President . (delegates from every state involved) E. This replaced the previous caucus or private meeting where the more powerful in the party chose their candidate. F. Today, the major political parties still use this system