A Democratic Revolution Chapter 10
The United States of America “The most able men in the United States are very rarely placed at the head of affairs.” Alexis de Tocqueville (1835) Instead: inept “farmers, shopkeepers, and country lawyers” Basil Hall (1829) Founding Fathers = property-owning “men of talents and virtue” ruled the republic now democracy was expanding –Increased franchise
Decline of Notables Notables landlords, slave-owning planters, merchants “Those who own the country are the most fit persons to participate in the government of it.” –John Jay (1810)
Rise of Parties “All men of sense know that political parties are inseparable from free government.” Founded the “Bucktails” Albany Regency –Political machine (state level) Used newspaper (Albany Argus) Patronage –After gaining control of the state legislature 6,000 jobs “Little Magician”
How important is character in selecting a President?
Essential Question: Champion of the “Common Man”? “King” Andrew?
The “Common Man’s” Candidate
Jackson’s Faith in the “Common Man”
Jackson’s Opponents in 1824 Andrew Jackson [TN]
Results of the 1824 Election Winner?
The Election of 1824: CandidatePopular Vote Electoral Vote 43%99 31%84 13%41 13%37
Results of the 1824 Election – House of Representatives Results of the 1824 Election – House of Representatives A “Corrupt Bargain?” Winner!
The "Corrupt Bargain" of 1824 There were 4 main "Republican" candidates in the election of 1824: –Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, William Crawford, and Henry Clay No candidate won the majority of the electoral votes –HOR had to choose the winner Henry Clay, the Speaker of the House, was eliminated although he did have much say in who became president –Clay convinced the House to elect John Quincy Adams –Adams made Clay the Secretary of State –Much of the public felt that a "corrupt bargain" had taken place »Jackson had received the popular vote
A Yankee Misfit in the White House John Quincy Adams was a strong nationalist –Nationalistic Program –1826 mid-term elections Democrat-Republicans (Democrats) gained seats –Opposed Adams’ policies
Tariff Dispute 1816 – 1824 –South vigorously, but unsuccessfully opposed raising tariff Raised the price of manufactured goods Caused foreign countries to cut back on purchases of cotton
The Tricky "Tariff of Abominations" In 1824, Congress increased the general tariff significantly The Tariff of “ " –Hated by Southerners Extremely high tariff Felt it discriminated against them
Politics in 1828 Before/during the election of 1824, two factions had formed: National Republicans (later Whigs) and Democratic-Republicans (later Democrats) –National Republicans Clay, Adams, Webster Well-established propertied classes: merchants, manufacturers, large landowners… –Democratic-Republicans Jackson, Van Buren (Jefersonians) Small farmers, new business leaders, city workers
How important is character in selecting a President?
How does this song make you feel?
Rachel Jackson Final Divorce Decree A Key Issue in Election of 1828
Jackson in Mourning for His Wife
Revolution of 1828?
"Old Hickory" as President