Jacksonian Era

ANDREW JACKSON – from TN (West) Electoral vote = 99 Popular vote = 153,000 JOHN QUINCY ADAMS – from MA (North) Electoral vote = 84 Popular vote = 108,000 WILLIAM CRAWFORD – from GA (South) Electoral vote = 41 Popular vote = 46,000 HENRY CLAY – from KY (West) Electoral vote = 37 Popular vote = 47,000

Total Electoral Votes in U.S. in 1824= 261 A “majority” is needed to win = 131 electoral votes. None of he candidates had a majority, so the decision would be decided by the House of Representatives (from the top 3). Henry Clay (Speaker of the House) was out. He backed J.Q. Adams. House vote(24 states): Adams=13, Jackson=7 Crawford=4. How did Adams end up with more votes?? Clay became Sec. of State- “ Corrupt Bargain ” (Jackson supporters believe that Clay and Adams made a deal!!) How do we arrive at a winner?

Henry Clay JQ Adams allegedly promised Clay the job of Sec. of State if he would get enough votes in the House to win the Presidency. (Clay was “Speaker of the House.”) John Quincy Adams

 1825 – 1829 (1 term)  Why? 1.) “Corrupt Bargain”(w/H. Clay) 2.) Lack of popular support * Jackson had more popular and electoral votes. 3.) Lack of political skills * Stubborn / Arrogant * Didn’t get along with Congress (even though he had many good ideas.)

Jackson wins in a landslide!!! Andrew Jackson (“Old Hickory”) - Electoral vote = 178/261 - Popular vote = 647,292 John Quincy Adams - Electoral vote = 83/261 - Popular vote = 507,730 vs.

Results…

Jackson’s Inauguration party – “The Peoples’ President”

 Winning Presidential candidate gives government jobs to supporters.  Began with Andrew Jackson.  Why? 1.) Gov’t. remains in the hands of the “common people”. 2.) Assured loyalty to the President. 3.) Increases party support.  “TO THE VICTOR GOES THE SPOILS”.

 Pres. Jackson didn’t trust the advice of his “official” cabinet.  Sought the advice of “common people” (newspapermen, local politicians, etc.  Supposedly they met in the White House kitchen.

 Belief that a state could “nullify” (cancel) a Federal law if they feel it is unconstitutional.  John C. Calhoun (SC) - Jackson’s VP wanted to nullify the Tariff of 1828 (Tariff of Abomination) because it was harmful to the South (threatened to secede from the Union!).  Jackson said “NO” and threatened to send the Army to enforce the law!

 Made by Henry Clay  Reduces the Tariff rate over a 10 yr. period. * this pleased the SOUTH.  Creates the “Force Bill” * Pres. has power to send in the Army if a state refuses to obey Fed. law. * this pleased the NORTH.

 Henry Clay’s bill to re-charter the National Bank (make it legal for another 20 years). * a scheme to beat Jackson in the Election of 1832! * 4 yrs. ahead of schedule.  As President, if Jackson… * vetoes it – loses in North. * signs it – loses in South and West.  Clay thought he had Jackson trapped!

 Jackson vetoes the Bank bill. He says it is….. *Unconstitutional! *Un-American (most stockholders are British)! *A monopoly!  The voters agree – Clay’s scheme backfires. Jackson wins the Election of 1832 (219 to 49)!

Election of 1832 …

 National Republicans  Oppose President Andrew Jackson  Call him “King Andrew” because of his use of the Veto (he vetoed 11 bills – all the Presidents before him used the veto 9 times!).  Whig – party in GB that opposed the King.

Election of 1836 …

 Federal money from the National Bank is deposited in State Banks. (Jackson’s veto!)  State Banks fail to invest the money properly and the banks begin to close – causing a panic!  Unemployment, depression, decline in land value.  The public blames Van Buren (“Van, Van is a used-up man!”, “Martin Van Ruin!”).  Van Buren appears to be living in luxury in the White House (“King Martin!”).

 As President, Jackson persuades Congress to pass a law to remove several Indian tribes from their homelands.  Why? – To provide more farmland for farmers and plantation owners.  Creeks, Chocktaws, Chickasaws, Cherokees, and Seminoles, and others.

 Forced march (at gunpoint) of about 15,000 Cherokee from GA to the OK territory.  One-fourth died of exposure (during Nov.)  Called “trail of tears”.

 Jackson did little for: * Blacks (even though the Abolition movement is underway. * Women – very few opportunities. * Indians – forced to move off their homelands.

 Martin Van Buren (Dem.) vs. William H. Harrison (Whig)  The Whigs used the “Log Cabin Campaign” to make Harrison look like a common man. It worked! Also, Van Buren was blamed for the Panic of  Slogans, symbols, songs, etc. brought out the voters.  Harrison’s Campaign Slogan: “Tippecanoe and Tyler, too”  Harrison won!

Election of 1840…Whigs strike back!!

 Harrison gave a 2 hr. speech on inauguration day to prove he was not an uneducated frontiersman and, even at almost 70 years old, still energetic.  He caught pneumonia and died 4 wks. later.  VP John Tyler takes over.  Tecumseh’s curse begins! (Every 20 years!!!!)

1840: William Henry Harrison – Died in office of pneumonia 1860: Abraham Lincoln – Assassinated by John Wilkes Booth in Ford’s Theatre 1880: James A. Garfield – Assassinated by Charles Guiteau in a Washington, D.C. train station 1900: William McKinley – Assassinated by Leon Czolgosz in Buffalo, New York 1920: Warren G. Harding – Died in office, possibly of ptomaine poisoning that progressed to pneumonia 1940: Franklin D. Roosevelt – Died in office of a massive cerebral hemorrhage 1960: John F. Kennedy – Assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas, Texas 1980: Ronald Reagan – Lived (Shot in the chest by John Warnock Hinckley Jr., but survived – Curse over?) 2000: George W. Bush – LivedWilliam Henry HarrisonAbraham LincolnJames A. GarfieldWilliam McKinleyWarren G. Hardingptomaine poisoningFranklin D. RooseveltJohn F. KennedyRonald ReaganGeorge W. Bush