Jacksonian Democracy

What is it? Revival of Jefferson’s “common man” –Equality of economic opportunity Attack on privilege Govt. should prevent “artificial distinctions” –Banks –Corporations –Monopolies –Internal Improvements

Political Democratization Bringing democracy closer to the people –Expanded suffrage –Popular election of electors –Fewer appointed positions –Secret ballot

Andrew Jackson - Resume Born –S.C., lived in Tennessee Nickname –Old Hickory Experience –Hero of New Orleans, Indian fighter, dueler, Westerner Personal Info –Vengeful, loyal, erratic mood swings –Lived with two bullets in body

Political Parties National Republicans –Led by Henry Clay and Daniel Webster –American System Bank, tariffs and internal improvements –Become Whigs in 1832 Democrats –Led by Jackson, Martin Van Buren, Thomas Hart Benton and John C. Calhoun (temporarily)

National Republicans

Democrats

Election of 1824 Five people run –Jackson, Adams, Clay, Crawford, Calhoun Jackson wins pop. vote, lacks electoral majority –Election (Jackson, Adams, Crawford) goes to House –J.Q. Adams wins House vote with help of Clay Clay named Sec. of State Democrats claim “corrupt bargain”

Election of 1828 Dirty campaign/personal attacks Jackson wins –Jackson’s wife dies after election –Jackson blames Nat. Rep.

Inaugural Party

Spoils System Jackson calls it “rotation of officeholders” Replacement of officeholders with party supporters Jackson’s view –Democratic, gets more people involved in govt. –Keeps govt. out of hands of ruling elite Nat. Republican’s view –Patronage, removal of qualified workers

Kitchen Cabinet Jackson’s group of informal advisors –Many newspapermen and Democratic Party supporters –Used back steps of White House, through kitchen

Calhoun’s Alienation Eaton Affair –Sec. of War John Eaton’s wife, Peggy Eaton, is ostracized by other cabinet members –Organized by the Calhouns –Jackson and Van Buren support the Eatons –Cabinet resigns, completely re-assembled –VanBuren in, Calhoun out

Calhoun’s Alienation Tariff of Abominations (1828) –General increase in tariffs –Opposed by South –Calhoun introduces “compact theory” –Jackson supports “Union”

Tariff of 1832 S.C. nullifies tariff bill Jackson’s response –Force bill – authorizes military force –Compromise tariff (1833) S.C. nullifies Force Bill

Indian Removal Georgia wants Cherokees out State make laws for tribe, violates Constitution –Worchester v. Georgia court rules against state, Jackson won’t support ruling Trail of Tears (1838) – forced march to Oklahoma

Bank War Jackson hates U.S. Bank –Monopoly –Too much power (political and economic) –Too independent –Benefits rich

Bank War Biddle (bank president) and Clay attempt to re-charter early (1832) –Jackson vetoes bill –Jackson re-elected Effects –Adds strength to executive branch/veto power –Contradicts Court’s ruling on constitutionality

Killing the Bank Federal money withdrawn –Put in “pet banks” (state banks) –Biddle sabotages economy

Maysville Road Veto Jackson vetoes internal improvement project in Kentucky –Backs up belief –Sticks it to Clay

Anti-Slavery Mailings Jackson prohibits Northern abolitionists from using U.S. mail service to sends literature to South