1. Chapter 14 – Andrew Jackson and the Growth of American Democracy
How well did President Andrew Jackson promote democracy?

2. John Quincy Adams
VIDEO:

3. Preview
George Washington
Andrew Jackson

4. 14.2 – The Inauguration of Andrew Jackson
More than 10,000 people from every state came to witness the inauguration of their hero: Andrew Jackson
“I have never seen such a crowd here before… Persons have come 500 miles to see General Jackson, and they really seem to think the country has been rescued from some…disaster.”
~ Senator Webster

6. Most of the people who went were first time voters
Before 1820, only the rich and well-born could vote
A.k.a. white men with property
The new states in the west challenged this, and gave all “men” the right to vote
This did not include Native Americans, African Americans, or women

7. These new voters DID believe they had rescued the country
They believed the corrupt “monied interests” had taken over the government
Jackson promised to return the government to “the people”
People in the West, as well as farmers, shopkeepers, and small business owners supported him

8. Andrew Jackson
VIDEO:

9. 14.3 – From the Frontier to the White House
Jackson was born in 1767
At the age of 13, he joined the local militia and entered the American Revolution
He was captured and cut by a sword – receiving a sword cut to the hand that he would carry the rest of his life

10. The Frontier Lawyer
In 1788, Jackson went to Nashville, TN to practice law
He was successful, and bought land and slaves to become a gentleman planter
He never outgrew his temper

11. Duels of Andrew Jackson
VIDEO:

12. The People’s Choice
Jackson entered politics, but only became know after The Battle of New Orleans
In 1824, he was one of three candidates
He won the popular votes
He won the most electoral votes, but not enough for the majority
It was up to the House to choose the winner

13. Henry Clay urged his supporters to back Adams (the incumbent)
Jackson’s supporters built a political organization
The Democratic Party – promised to represent farmers, workers, and the poor
They claimed the Republican Party only supported the rich and well-born
The result was a victory for Jackson. It was also a victory for the idea that the people should control the government
Jacksonian Democracy

15. 14.4 – Jackson’s Approach to Governing
Jackson governed the same way he led an army:
Listened to others BUT did what HE thought was right

16. The Kitchen Cabinet Jackson did not rely on his cabinet for advice
Instead he relied on his friends and political supporters
Because they met with him in the White House kitchen, they were nicknamed the “kitchen cabinet”
The rich and well-born were suspicious of the group because they were not seen as proper
Jackson didn’t care, and continued leaning on these men for advice

17. The Spoils System
Jackson replaced many civil servants with loyal Democrats
These Republicans thought they were in lifetime positions
Jackson disagreed

18. This was called spoils system
From the idea that “to the victor belong to the spoils [prizes] of war”
The number removed was exaggerated
919 people were removed, but that equals about 10%
Many deserved to lose their jobs

20. 14.5 – The Nullification Crisis
Jackson’s presidency threatened to break up the United States
1828 law on tariffs (taxes) on imports
The goal was to increase manufacturing at home, and outsell foreign competitors
Northern states favored it
Southern states hated it

21. Why did the South hate it?
Raised prices on factory goods
Factories mostly in the North
Discouraged trade w/ other countries (cotton sales)
The tariff seemed to favor the north
VP John C. Calhoun called the tariffs illegal
Jackson understood the frustration, so in 1832, he lowered the tariffs
Too little too late

22. South Carolina threatened to secede
In their view, states’ rights meant the federal government couldn’t enforce tariff laws
Jackson was… mad
Threatened to “hang the first man of them I can get my hands on…”
Forced the federal army to collect tariffs (if needed)
Congress also passed a bill to lower tariffs again
South Carolina backed down
For now ;)

25. 14.6 – Jackson Battles the Bank of the United States
Jackson (champion of the people!) vs. the Bank
He thought it benefited rich Eastern investors at the expense of the “little guy” (farmers & workers)
He also distrusted the Bank’s president, Nicholas Biddle

26. The Bank was up for renewal in 1836
Jackson was forced to tackle it in 1832 thanks to Henry Clay
Thought he’d lose votes, but the plan backfired
Jackson vetoed the recharter bill
Said the Bank was an unconstitutional monopoly to make the rich richer
The people agreed & loved it
Reelected by a HUGE majority

27. Jackson decided to “pull the plug” rather than let the Bank’s charter end
In 1833, he had all federal deposits removed and put in state banks
Business owners begged for Jackson to save the bank, but he refused

28. 14.7 – Jackson’s Indian Policy
Jackson had little sympathy for the Indians, and made it policy to remove them from the East by force
They called him “Sharp Knife”
Before him, the government created treaties between them and the Indians.
In exchange for land, they were promised food, supplies, and money.

29. They were so named because they adopted white ways like
The “Five Civilized Tribes” were the Creek, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, & Seminole
They were so named because they adopted white ways like
Reading and writing
Farming
Creating a written language
Publishing newspapers
Modeling a constitution on the U.S. Constitution

30. Indian Removal Act
This law allowed the president to make treaties to move Indians from the East to the Great Plains
The Supreme Court ruled they shouldn’t be removed by force and they had a right to their lands
Jackson disagreed
Groups that refused to move, were tragically met with military force

31. VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LSkfmCj8Jg

32. The Trail of Tears There were protests, but the removals continued.
This continued into the next president’s term (next slide)
Four thousand died on marches to the West, a journey known as the “Trail of Tears”
Some hid in the mountains or swamps, and maintain territory today
Jackson was proud of “solving” the Indian problem for good, but it only increased the conflict (to be continued in Chapters 15-16)

33. Martin Van Buren
VIDEO:

34. Crash Course VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beN4qE-e5O8

36. PROCESSING ASSIGNMENT
Create a “hero’s plaque” for Jackson that highlights his positive contributions to American democracy. Include the following on your plaque:
a sketch of Jackson
two sentences stating why he should be praised
two symbols that represent him as a hero
On the opposite side, create a “wanted” poster that emphasizes his negative impact on American democracy. Include the following on your poster:
two sentences stating why he should be criticized
two symbols that represent him as a villain
E.C. Write a paragraph that answers this question: How well did Andrew Jackson promote democracy?

37. END