Andrew Jackson How Democratic was Andrew Jackson?

Andrew Jackson: Man of the People AJ’s Background AJ’s Background Born in backwoods settlement in Carolinas to poor farmer parents Self-educated lawyer; moved to Tennessee to practice law War hero in War of 1812 and Seminole Wars in Florida ( ) “Average Joe” Fought duels for honor, wounded 3 times! Drank whiskey frequently

The Election of 1824 According to the map, who do you think won?

The “Corrupt Bargain” Jackson wins popular vote, electoral college, but not by clear majority. Jackson wins popular vote, electoral college, but not by clear majority. Election is decided by the House of Representatives. Clay: “I cannot believe that killing twenty-five hundred Englishmen at New Orleans qualifies (Jackson) for the difficult and complicated duties of the Presidency.” Clay: “I cannot believe that killing twenty-five hundred Englishmen at New Orleans qualifies (Jackson) for the difficult and complicated duties of the Presidency.” Clay, who is Speaker, throws support to JQA. Clay, who is Speaker, throws support to JQA. JQA makes Clay his Secretary of State days later. JQA makes Clay his Secretary of State days later. COINCIDENCE? COINCIDENCE?

Outcomes of Election of 1824 New Political Parties Emerge! New Political Parties Emerge! National Republicans National Republicans Support Adams, Clay Support Adams, Clay Democrats Democrats Support AJ Support AJ AJ’s supporters in the Senate block most of JQA’s legislation! AJ’s supporters in the Senate block most of JQA’s legislation! I wish those Democrats would stop blocking all of my legislation! John Quincy Adams

The Expansion of Democracy 1824 Election 1824 Election 1828 Election 1828 Election Jackson’s supporters were so upset at the outcome of the election of 1824 that they wanted to make sure their voices were heard. Jackson supporters worked during the time between the 1824 and 1828 elections to expand voting rights to “average” Americans. (The type of people that loved Jackson!)

Andrew Jackson becomes President First “popularly” elected president. First “popularly” elected president. Shows expansion of democracy. Shows expansion of democracy. Andrew Jackson’s Inauguration

Jackson Changes the Presidency “Argued that rotation in office would prevent a small group of wealthy, well connected people from controlling government.” “Argued that rotation in office would prevent a small group of wealthy, well connected people from controlling government.” Limited Government Limited Government Feared the power of the Federal Government Expansion of democracy Expansion of democracy Called upon Congress to abolish the electoral college. “To the victor go the spoils!” Andrew Jackson

The Tariff Crisis Review: Tariff is originally part of Clay’s American System. Review: Tariff is originally part of Clay’s American System. “Tariff of Abominations” - Calhoun “Tariff of Abominations” - Calhoun South Carolina Exposition South Carolina Exposition Calhoun explains nullification theory Calhoun explains nullification theory Preview of things to come? Preview of things to come? AJ urges Congress to pass the Force Bill. AJ urges Congress to pass the Force Bill. The “Abominable” Tariff! GRR! I want to hurt the Southern States!!!

The “Trail of Tears” In 1830, AJ urged Congress to pass the Indian Removal Act, forcibly relocated about 100,000 members of five Native American tribes. In 1838, the US Army rounded up more than 15,000 Cherokee Natives. One out of every four Cherokee died on the 116 day march to new lands in Oklahoma and Arkansas.

“Men working in the fields were arrested and driven to the stockades. Women were dragged from their homes by soldiers whose language they could not understand. Children were often separated from their parents… and often the old and infirm were prodded with bayonets to hasten them to the stockades… In the chill of a drizzling rain on an October morning I saw them loaded like cattle or sheep into six hundred and forty-five wagons and started toward the west… Many of these helpless people did not have blankets and many of them had been driven from home barefooted.” “On the morning of November the 17th we encountered a terrific sleet and snowstorm with freezing temperatures and from that day until we reached the end of the fateful journey the sufferings of the Cherokees were awful. The trail of the exiles was a trail of death. They had to sleep in the wagons and on the ground without fire. And I have known as many as twenty-two of them to die in one night of pneumonia due to ill treatment, cold, and exposure.” -From The Cherokee Removal Through the Eyes of a Private Soldier -From The Cherokee Removal Through the Eyes of a Private Soldier by John Burnett

AJ vs. The Bank AJ financially hurt by Panic of AJ financially hurt by Panic of Hates US Bank. Hates US Bank. Bank’s charter will expire in Bank’s charter will expire in : Clay vs. AJ 1832: Clay vs. AJ Clay uses Bank as campaign issue. Clay uses Bank as campaign issue. Jackson takes new deposits and puts them in state supported “pet banks” (owned by the states) to try and strangle BUS. Jackson takes new deposits and puts them in state supported “pet banks” (owned by the states) to try and strangle BUS. AJ wins by massive margin anyway. AJ wins by massive margin anyway. Repubs change name to Whigs protesting “King Andrew the First” Repubs change name to Whigs protesting “King Andrew the First” VS.

King Andrew…

Jackson and the Bank

AJ vs. the Bank

The Question Now that you know the facts, how would you answer the question: Now that you know the facts, how would you answer the question: How did Andrew Jackson change the Presidency? Was this change good for America? Why or why not?

Successors Deal with Jackson’s Legacy Martin Van Buren Martin Van Buren Jackson’s VP Panic of 1837 Harrison Harrison Whig candidate; wins because of Van Buren’s economic failures. Dies in office after one month. Tyler Tyler “His accidency.” More Democrat than Whig. Extremely unpopular. -Martin Van Buren