AGE OF JACKSON Ch. 7, Sect. 3 (HW is 7.4) OBJECTIVES: IDENTIFY the events and factors that contributed to Andrew Jackson’s rise to power. DESCRIBE Andrew Jackson’s political beliefs. EXAMINE how Jackson’s presidency expanded democracy and egalitarianism, but not to all Americans. http://www.americaslibrary.gov/assets/aa/jackson/aa_jackson_subj_e.jpg
http://teachpol.tcnj.edu/amer_pol_hist/fi/00000073.htm
Era of Good Feelings – Really? Election of 1816: Republicans crush Federalists, 183 to 34 (see election.org) James Monroe is 5th President of the United States Monroe is the ambassador of Nationalism Monroe’s administration was called the “Era of Good Feelings” WHY? ANSWER: With no Federalists, the US seemed united
http://www.census.gov/population/www/censusdata/files/table-4.pdf
Data Visualizations http://www.census.gov/dataviz/visualizations/050/
Data Visualizations http://www.census.gov/dataviz/visualizations/001/
“THE CORRUPT BARGAIN” THE FACTS OF THE CASE:
“THE CORRUPT BARGAIN” THE FACTS OF THE CASE: Election of 1824 Andrew Jackson wins popular vote Jackson and John Quincy Adams tie for electoral vote Henry Clay, Speaker of the House, to decide the tie Clay meets with Adams privately Clay gives Adams the Presidency Adams makes Clay Secretary of State
THE CRIME: PLAINTIFF: DEFENSE JUDGEMENT:
Whose argument utilized the historical facts? Whose argument was most persuasive? Whose argument utilized the historical facts? How would you have “voted”? Were the American people “just” in their historical judgment?
The Administration of John Quincy Adams The undiplomatic diplomat, the apolitical politician First “minority president” Refused to remove officeholders or use patronage Urged nationalistic endeavors on Congress Increasingly out of step with growing sectionalism Viewed positively by history, not so in his day
http://www.census.gov/population/www/censusdata/files/table-4.pdf
Jackson wins in 1828 Democratic-Republicans (Jackson) divorces from Nationalistic-Republicans (Adams) “Shall the people rule?”- expansion of suffrage Jackson runs as a “reform” candidate Mudslinging, personal attacks on J.Q. Adams Jackson wins 178 to 83, wins West and South Shift of power, East to West, Elite to Common Man
The Jackson Administration Individualism, Opportunism, Versatility, Populism Orphaned & Uneducated Became Judge and Congressman for Tennessee “Old Hickory” to his troops 1st President from West, 2nd w/o College Degree Suspicious of Clay’s American System Frequently uses veto power, “King Andrew”
First Inaugural Address of Andrew Jackson WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1829 (Excerpt) The recent demonstration of public sentiment inscribes on the list of Executive duties, in characters too legible to be overlooked, the task of reform, which will require particularly the correction of those abuses that have brought the patronage of the Federal Government into conflict with the freedom of elections, and the counteraction of those causes which have disturbed the rightful course of appointment and have placed or continued power in unfaithful or incompetent hands. In the performance of a task thus generally delineated I shall endeavor to select men whose diligence and talents will insure in their respective stations able and faithful cooperation, depending for the advancement of the public service more on the integrity and zeal of the public officers than on their numbers.
“Spoils System” Large #’s of Jackson supporters rewarded with federal jobs, “rotation in office” Removes 10% of officeholders Party membership vs. Merit &Service Increased corruption: “Kitchen Cabinet,” Increased power of party machines
In your opinion, was Jackson himself was a man “of the people”? (HINT: look at “Key Player”) How did the Election 1824 shape Jackson’s political beliefs & his “spoils system?”