Jacksonian Democracy

Election of 1824 The election featured four candidates, and no one candidate had a majority – The election went to the House of Representatives The House picked John Quincy Adams after Henry Clay decided to support him

Election of 1824 Jackson called this the “corrupt bargain,” because Adams appointed Clay to Secretary of State after he became president

John Quincy Adams Adams pushed for expanding the federal government by increased spending and supporting scientific exploration Viewed as “aristocratic” – He was wealthy, and was criticized for favoring the wealthy over the common people

Changes in Voting Habits – 1824 States picked electors based on popular vote, rather than by state legislators Voter caucuses picked candidates Abolition of the property requirement for voting – This meant more people could vote as property ownership was no longer a factor

Election of 1828 Jackson wins with 2/3rds of the electoral vote and 56% of the popular vote His inauguration was a wild party It symbolized the triumph of democracy over aristocracy

Election of 1828 Promises made: A return to “Jeffersonian” principles – Strong state governments – Weak federal government that would not interfere with slavery Was Jackson a strict or loose constructionist?

Spoils System “They boldly preach what they practice. When they are contending for victory, they avow the intention of enjoying the fruits of it. If they are defeated, they expect to retire from office. If they are successful, they claim, as a matter of right, the advantages of success. They see nothing wrong in the rule, that to the victor belongs the spoils of the enemy.” – Senator William Learned Marcy, Jan. 1832

Spoils System The Democrats (Jackson’s new name for the Democratic Republicans) had many managers and professional politicians who ran the party Jackson rewarded those loyal to him with government jobs Do you agree with the spoils system? Why or why not?

Native American Removal White Americans wanted the 60,000 Native Americans living in the South to be removed – They wanted the land that the Native Americans lived on – They also believed that Native Americans could not become civilized, and should make way for white people

Worcester v. Georgia 1832 Between 1827 and 1830, Georgia seized land owned by Native Americans The Supreme Court rules in Worcester v. Georgia that the land seizure was unconstitutional, and the government had an obligation to protect Native Americans Andrew Jackson ignored the Court’s decision and allowed the states to continue taking Native American land

Trail of Tears 1838 The Jackson administration pressured Indian groups to sell their land and move west. In 1835, a group of Cherokees agreed to sell their land and leave for Oklahoma In 1838, U.S. soldiers forced 16,000 Cherokees to walk from the Southeast all the way to Oklahoma – Along the way, about 4,000 died from disease, hunger, and exposure

Trail of Tears “Rightly considered, the policy of the General Government toward the red man is not only liberal, but generous. He is unwilling to submit to the laws of the States and mingle with their population. To save him from this alternative, or perhaps utter annihilation, the General Government kindly offers him a new home…” o President Andrew Jackson, December 8, 1830

Nullification Crisis Nullify – to cancel, to stop, to declare void South Carolina wanted to nullify a tariff that they found unreasonably high In 1832, South Carolina passed a law that nullified the tariff and threated to secede (remove themselves from the union) if the federal government tried to stop them by force

Nullification Crisis Jackson disapproved. He threatened to send soldiers to South Carolina to enforce the tariff and make them stay in the union. At the same time, Congress reduced the tariff, thereby reducing South Carolina’s militancy The crisis was over, but it left questions about whether or not states could nullify federal laws and secede from the union.

Nullification Crisis Should states have the right to overrule federal laws? Why or why not? Ex. Marijuana

“King Andrew” Why did his enemies portray him this way?