Nationalism, Sectionalism and the Rise of Mass Democracy From the Era of Good Feelings through the Age of Jackson Chapter 13 American Pageant

Andrew Jackson (“Old Hickory”) Popular war hero—“a man of the people.” The first western president Jacksonian Democracy: political power exercised by ordinary Americans The “politics of deference” (the politics of electing those better than us) ends

Democratic Trends: Voting Requirements are Lessened

Democratic Trends: Voter Turnout Increased

Additional Signs of Democratization Party nominating comms. were replaced by conventions increasing political involvement Spoils system: rotation of office by giving supporters jobs in the government  Cemented party affiliations and loyalties Rise of Third Parties (spirited opposition) Popular campaigning made politics entertaining (maybe it wasn’t about good citizens participating in their republic)  Much mud-slinging and “false advertising”

Jackson Controversies: The Indian Removal Act Five major Native American groups lived in the southeastern United States White Americans called them the “five civilized tribes” because many of them had adopted aspects of European and American culture. Many white Americans viewed them as inferior. Farmland was becoming scarce in the East, and white settlers coveted the Indians’ lands

Controversies: The Indian Removal Act Indian Removal Act (1830): called for the relocation of the five nations to an area west of the Mississippi River called “Indian Territory” (now Oklahoma) Even with a written constitution, the state of Georgia refused to recognize the Cherokee as a “nation” Worcester v. Georgia (1832): The Supreme Court ruled against Georgia, denying it the right to take Cherokee lands.  The Cherokee had the right to self-government  Georgia's extension of state law over them declared unconstitutional

“John Marshall has made his decision. Now let him enforce it!” – President Andrew Jackson Of the 18,000 Cherokee forced to leave their homes, about 4,500 died on the march, which became known as the Trail of Tears.

Jackson Controversies: The B.U.S. The Second B.U.S. was a national bank overseen by the federal government to regulate state banks. Established in 1816 and given a 20-year charter Opponents of the B.U.S. (including Jackson) thought that the Constitution did not give Congress the authority to create the bank. Opponents also recognized that state banks were more inclined to make loans to poorer farmers in the South and West—the very people who supported Jackson.  They viewed the bank as an institution devoted to the interests of wealthy northern corporations.

After his re-election, Jackson ordered money taken out of the B.U.S. and deposited in select state banks (“pet banks”). In 1836 the Second Bank of the United States was reduced to just another state bank. “The Bank is trying to kill me but I will kill it!”  Andrew Jackson in his feud with Nicholas Biddle Fears of financial disaster lead to another panic later

Jackson Controversies: The Nullification Crisis In 1828 Congress raised the “Tariff of Abominations” (so named by V.P. John C. Calhoun) on British manufactured goods.  Welcomed by northern industrial states: it increased the price of British goods and encouraged Americans to buy American goods.  Despised by southern agricultural states: forced southerners to buy northern goods instead of the less expensive British goods.  Southern cotton growers, who exported most of their crop to Britain, opposed interference with international trade. Nullification, anyone?

When Congress passed another tariff in 1832, South Carolina declared the tariff law “null and void”  They threatened to secede from the Union if the federal government tried to enforce the tariff Hayne (S.C.) and Webster (Mass.) debate  Senator Robert Hayne (with Calhoun) argues Southern view of tariff, and states’ rights  Senator Daniel Webster of Massachusetts defends Union  Calhoun resigns from the vice-presidency

Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable. The Union, next to our liberty, most dear. Our Federal Union—it must be preserved. WEBSTER CALHOUNJACKSON

Meanwhile… Jackson asked Congress to pass a Force Bill explicitly authorizing the use of military force to enforce the tariff At the same time, Henry Clay worked out a compromise that tariffs would be reduced over a period of 10 years. Jackson signs both the Force Bill and Clay’s Compromise Tariff Bill at the same time

Can you guess what strategy the Whigs employed in this election? Did it work?

Martin van Buren (“Old Kinderhook”) Our first American born president Andrew Jackson’s hand-picked successor that got to deal with all of Jackson’s enemies The Whigs come of age. A Whig is…  Anti-Jackson and his policies  Supporters of the American System  Southern states’ righters  Northern industrialists and merchants  Active government programs and reforms This is a tough coalition for the Whigs to hold together

The Van Buren Presidency Pet banks (“wildcat banks”) print bank notes in excess of gold, silver they have Government demands specie (gold, silver) to pay for public lands (this was known as the specie circular) Rush to exchange paper money for specie, banks stop taking paper money Panic of 1837 (“Martin van Ruin” is blamed)  bank closings, collapse of credit system  people lose savings, businesses bankrupted  more than a third of population out of work A bad single term

Jackson’s Legacy & this Age of Democracy Developed an organized and disciplined Democratic Party  In opposition, the Whig Party was galvanized against him Expanded the power of the presidency  Vetoed 12 bills (6 more than all the previous presidents combined) Hero of the common man (but was he really?) Regarded the national Union as indivisible and perpetual (denounced nullification and secession)  A. Lincoln will look to him for inspiration Policies (like the tariff) fostered divisiveness Shameful Indian policy Was he bold and audacious? A tyrant? The ultimate individualist? An “atrocious saint”?

Andrew Jackson in 1844 (one year before his death) Shortly after Van Buren took office, Jackson recalled his only two missed opportunities as not being able to "shoot Henry Clay or hang John C. Calhoun.”

America is moving west