Andrew Jackson Jacksonian Democrats viewed themselves as the guardians of the US Constitution, political democracy, individual liberty, and equality of economic opportunity. Use your knowledge of the 1820’s and 1830’s to explain the extent to which you agree with the Jacksonians’ view of themselves. “King” Andrew?
Voting Requirements in the Early 19c
Voter Turnout:
Why Increased Democratization? 3 White male suffrage increased – new states introduce universal male suffrage. RI – Dorr Rebellion (1842) 3 Party nominating committees. 3 Voters chose their state’s slate of Presidential electors. 3 Spoils system. 3 Rise of Third Parties. 3 Popular campaigning (parades, rallies, floats, etc.) 3 Two-party system returned in the 1832 election: Dem-Reps Natl. Reps.(1828) Whigs (1832) Republicans (1854) Democrats (1828)
Jackson ’ s First Hermitage Residence
First Known Painting of Jackson, 1815
General Jackson During the Seminole Wars (1817) Wars would not end until 1842
The “ Common Man ’ s ” Presidential Candidate
Jackson ’ s Opponents in 1824 Henry Clay [KY] John Quincy Adams [MA] John C. Calhoun [SC] William H. Crawford [GA]
Results of the 1824 Election A “ Corrupt Bargain? ”
Accomplishments of John Quincy Adams Senate – voted against Embargo of 1807 Secretary of State –Treaty of Ghent (1814) –Adams-Onis Treaty – 1819, Spain ceded Florida, the US gave up Texas. (Seminole War) –Monroe Doctrine (1823)
Accomplishments of John Quincy Adams President # House of Representatives – 8 terms Defense attorney in Amistad Slave Revolt Case – 1841 Had “gag rule” repealed – could not discuss slavery in Senate
Beliefs of John Quincy Adams Second Bank of US Opposed annexation of Texas (anti-slavery) Nationalist (American System – public University, weather stations) Sympathized with Indians
Rachel Jackson Final Divorce Decree
Jackson in Mourning for His Wife
1828 Election Results
The New “ Jackson Coalition ” 3 The Planter Elite in the South 3 People on the Frontier State Politicians – spoils system State Politicians – spoils system “Turn the rascals out, put our rascals in.” 3 Immigrants in the cities.
Jackson ’ s Faith in the “ Common Man ” 3I3I3I3Intense distrust of Eastern “establishment,” monopolies, & special privilege. 3H3H3H3His heart & soul was with the “plain folk.” 3B3B3B3Belief that the common man was capable of uncommon achievements.
The Reign of “ King Mob ” The Inaugural Brawl! The Reign of “ King Mob ” The Inaugural Brawl!
Andrew Jackson as President
The “ Peggy Eaton Affair ” Eaton was the wife of Sec. of War and other wives thought she was an adulteress, so they refused to sit with her at dinner. Jackson demanded, and the cabinet resigned, Calhoun then fell out of favor with Jackson. Van Buren befriended Eaton and thus Jackson “chose” Van Buren to succeed him as president.
1832 Tariff Conflict > “Tariff of Abomination” 3 South Carolina’s reaction? - Nullification 3 Jackson’s response? Force Bill 3 Clay’s “Compromise” Tariff? Gradual reduction ( )
“The Nullies” v Jackson John C Calhoun (VP Under Adams and Jackson) wrote South Carolina Exposition (1828) –“Concurrent Majority” – a federal law that is harmful to states can be declared null and void via a convention of the people. Jackson’s Response – Threatened military force and “Force Bill” What steps were taken to avoid a military conflict?
Jackson and The Native Americans 1828 The Cherokee Tribes of Georgia wrote and adopted a constitution with 3 branch government. –Georgia declared the Cherokee Assembly illegal (SC ruled in favor of Indians) Cherokee Nation v Georgia – state has no authority in tribal legislation Worcester v Georgia – same ruling by John Marshall Jackson’s Response: –“John Marshall had made his decision, now let him enforce it.” *How does this quote from Jackson show his increasing strength as President?
The Cherokee Nation After 1820
Indian Removal
Trail of Tears ( )
Indian Removal Act of ,000 Indians moved from east of Mississippi 1832 – Black Hawk War Osceola and Florida Seminoles “Trail of Tears” 15,000 Cherokees, 116 days – 4,000 deaths (25%) –100 million acres given up –$68 million paid out, 32 million acres in West
Jackson ’ s Professed “ Love ” for Native Americans
Jacksonians on States’ Rights Charles River Bridge v. Warren Bridge (1837) –States, not federal government, had power to enter into contracts regarding infrastructure, transportation. Maysville Road Veto - I am not able to view [the Maysville Road Bill] in any other light than as a measure of purely local character.... It has no connection with any established system of improvements; [and] is exclusively within the limits of a State [Kentucky]....
Jackson ’ s Use of Federal Power VETO 1830 Maysville Road project in KY [state of his political rival, Henry Clay]
The National Bank Debate Nicholas Biddle President Jackson
“The Hydra of Corruption” – The Bank Wars Nicholas Biddle – President of Bank of US –Functions – print stable currency, keep federal money, control gold and silver, source of credit 1832 – Clay and Webster wanted to use the renewal of the charter to embarrass the President – if he passed the charter he would anger his followers, if he vetoed it the wealthy would be upset. –*How did the veto increase the power of President?
Opposition to the 2 nd B.U.S. “Soft” (paper) $ “Hard” (specie) $ 3s3s3s3state bankers felt it restrained their banks from issuing bank notes freely. 3s3s3s3supported rapid economic growth & speculation. 3f3f3f3felt that coin was the only safe currency. 3d3d3d3didn’t like any bank that issued bank notes. 3s3s3s3suspicious of expansion & speculation.
“ The Moneyed Monster” The Bank War 1833 Jackson removed most Federal money from Bank of US –Effect – Panic of 1837 – What did Biddle have to do? “Pet Banks” Specie Circular – US Treasury required all new land purchased be secured with gold or silver. (1836)
The “ Monster ” Is Destroyed! 3 “pet banks”? Jackson vetoed the extension of the 2 nd National Bank of the United States the charter expired the bank went bankrupt!
The Downfall of “ Mother Bank ”
Hydra of Corruption
An 1832 Cartoon: “ King Andrew ” ? An 1832 Cartoon: “ King Andrew ” ?
1832 Election Results Main Issue?
The Specie Circular (1836) 3 “wildcat banks.” 3 buy future federal land only with gold or silver. 3 Jackson’s goal?
Results of the Specie Circular $Banknotes lose their value. $Land sales plummeted. $Credit not available. $Businesses began to fail. $Unemployment rose. The Panic of 1837! The Panic of 1837!
The Panic of 1837 Spreads Quickly!
Andrew Jackson in Retirement
Photo of Andrew Jackson in 1844 (one year before his death)
“The Era of the Common Man” Social mixture Universal Male Suffrage Popular Campaigning Increased Power of President (through veto) Kitchen Cabinet Roger Taney in Supreme Court