THE JACKSONIAN ERA: Democratic Reforms LESSON 15

Political disputes were common… I. I : Political Disputes A. A. ELECTION OF 1824: There were 4 candidates for the Presidency JJOHN QUINCY ADAMS  North WWILLIAM CRAWFORD  South HHENRY CLAY & ANDREW JACKSON  West B. B. People voted along sectional lines, and no candidate received a majority of the electoral votes  election thrown to House of Representatives (12th Amendment – top three finishers considered)

Political disputes were common… C. C. THE “CORRUPT BARGAIN” After Clay was eliminated from the race, he supported Adams  as Speaker of the House, he held tremendous influence Clay struck deal with Adams for his support in the House  Clay was promised appointment as Secretary of State

Political disputes were common… Jackson and Clay’s main disagreement  support for the Bank of the United States JACKSON: Against it because it was prejudiced against Southerners CLAY: Supported it; part of American System ADAMS WINS! Jackson expected to win and claimed “corrupt bargaining” by Clay

Political disputes were common… D. D. Democratic-Republicans were running unopposed, but were splitting up nonetheless  two new parties forming WWHIGS: Clay, Adams, and Daniel Webster were supported by the rich DDEMOCRATS: Jackson and Martin Van Buren represented the commoners

NATIONAL REPUBLICANS/ “WHIGS” DEMOCRATS  Henry Clay  John Quincy Adams  Daniel Webster LEADERS  Andrew Jackson  Martin Van Buren Upper classes (wealthy and well-to-do) SUPPORTERS Small farmers, city workers, common man Favored strong national government Represented upper classes Bankers, merchants, large landowners Favored national bank, protective tariffs, interest of business BELIEFS Urged greater democracy Opposed an all powerful federal government

Political disputes were common… E. E. ELECTION of 1828: Jackson attempts comeback against President John Quincy Adams  an election pitting the poor man against the wealthy

Political disputes were common… MUDSLINGING: Negative campaigning typical for this campaign ADAMS: Not a legitimate President – a corrupt figure, and his wife was born out of wedlock! JACKSON: Wife was accused of cheating on him with another government official!

Political disputes were common… Jackson defeated Adams on strength of the increase in democracy UNIVERSAL MANHOOD SUFFRAGE: New voters – no longer necessary to own land Introduction of party nominating conventions POPULAR CAMPAIGNING: Candidates began to direct their campaign toward the people

The Revolution of 1828 II. II. Revolution of 1828: Jackson’s Presidency A. A. An election for the commoners “Old Hickory” walked to his inauguration Relied on his “kitchen cabinet”  close advisors, but not formal members of the Cabinet

Jackson expanded the Presidency B. Jackson’s politics 1. Increased democracy Increased number of elected officials (rather than appointed) Shortened terms of office for local officials Eliminated property requirements for voting Nominating conventions replaced caucus system for Presidential election process  more active voters

Jackson expanded the Presidency 2. Democracy and the President Believed President was a servant of the people Used veto more than any other President Prepared for force against South Carolina after they protested Tariff of 1832 Did not enforce Supreme Court decision in Worcester v. Georgia  against people’s interests SPOILS SYSTEM: Jackson fired over 2,000 government workers and replaced them with able party supporters

Jackson expanded the Presidency INDIAN REMOVAL ACT (1830): Federal government would provide funds to negotiate treaties that would force the Indians to move West  for Jackson, the removal policy was not only liberal, but generous because it would enable the Indians to maintain their way of life TRAIL OF TEARS (1831): 800- mile journey westward forced upon Cherokee Nation from Georgia who would not abide by Indian Removal Act  direct refusal to enforce Supreme Court decision in Worcester v. Georgia

Jackson’s battles against states’ rights C. C. Economic Aspects of the Jacksonian Era Jackson was a symbol of the working class and the middle class  supporting the common man was his goal CHEAP LAND: Jackson gave land to squatters through the Congress’ passage of preemption laws : NULLIFICATION CRISIS IN SOUTH CAROLINA 1832: New tariff passed (40%) that made Tariff of Abominations seem cheap JOHN C. CALHOUN: Jackson’s Vice President who argued in favor of nullification theory

Jackson’s battles against states’ rights Jackson against horrible tariff, but also against nullification theory and Calhoun  believed federal law was supreme and could not be challenged by states On Calhoun’s advice, South Carolina voided the tariff and threatened secession FORCE BILL: Jackson had been given the power to enforce the tariff by sending troops to South Carolina

Jackson’s battles against states’ rights 1833: Compromise tariff designed by Henry Clay  Congress passed it and South Carolina repealed its nullification Compromise settled tariff issue, but not issue of states’ rights

Jackson’s battles regarding states’ rights Bank dispute continues… 1832: Second Bank of United States rechartered without support of Jackson and the common people Jackson’s issues with the Bank of the United States 1) 1) Bank prejudiced against poor farmers from South and West 2) 2) Opposed printing of paper money – only coining of gold and silver should be allowed  specie 3) 3) Jackson vetoed the recharter after reelection in 1832 over Henry Clay  BUS was a major issue of the election of 1832

Jackson’s battles regarding states’ rights Jackson created many economic problems Wildcat Banks established: Jackson crippled the national bank by placing federal money into state banks He made unwise loans to people without collateral Too much paper money circulated by wildcat banks Specie Circular: Jackson instructed federal agents to only accept land payments in gold or silver Actions led to depression during Panic of 1837, which Democrats were blamed for

The decline of the Jacksonian Era D. Elections of 1836 and : Martin Van Buren succeeded Jackson as President  continued Democratic control of White House 2. Democrats are blamed for a short depression in 1837 (Panic of 1837) and Martin Van Buren is defeated by Whig William Henry Harrison in 1840