1. Defining Democracy
The Age of Jackson

2. Two Americas Northern Economy Southern Economy Manufacturing
Textiles (cloth)
Tools, Guns, Ships, Wagons, etc…
Foodstuff Farming
Southern Economy
Cash Crop Farming
King Cotton
Eli Whitney’s Cotton Gin increases the demand for slavery
Slave trade
Only 25 % of southerners own slaves
Of that 25% only 3% own more than 100
Slavery, however, defines the social ladder for rich and poor alike

3. Slavery as a National Issue
1st Continental Congress 1775
South Carolina Wouldn’t sign a boycott agreement that included rice
2nd Continental Congress 1776
Several southern colonies would not sign the Declaration of Independence if the section criticizing the King for allowing the slave trade remained
Jefferson erased it for the final version
The Congress only granted slaves freedom in return for service in the continental army as a response to Britain doing the same
Constitutional Convention 1787
3/5ths compromise
No law could be made outlawing slavery for at least 21 years

4. The Missouri Compromise
Result of two decades of power struggles between north and south in the US Congress
Without the compromise violence may have broken out

5. Meet General Jackson Hero of the Battle of New Orleans in 1815
(Even though the battle was fought after the War of 1812 had technically ended)
Active in politics in the state of Tennessee
Enjoyed widespread popularity due to his beliefs in the expansion of democracy in America
Jackson believed in expanding the right to vote to all white men in America, regardless of how much property they owned

6. Presidential Election of 1824

7. The Corrupt Bargain “Thrown in to the House”
When no candidate receives the majority of Electoral votes the House of Reps choose the President
Henry Clay Speaker of the House sways votes to choose Adams
Jackson believed he was the choice of the people since he won not only the popular vote, but the electoral as well.
The “Jacksonians” spent the next 4 years preventing the Adams administration from accomplishing any of its goals.
This finally destroys the remains of Jefferson’s Republican party.
The Jacksonians leave to create their own party they call the “Democrats”

8. Jackson’s Presidency 1828-1836
Vetoed more laws than the first 6 presidents before him combined
Spoils System—making government more available to more people or rewarding your cronies for getting you elected?
Universal Male Suffrage (right to vote)
Tariff Of Abominations
Dispute between South Carolina and the Federal government
Jackson threatened to send in the army
Henry Clay helped create a compromise
Jackson’s Bank War
Saw the Bank of the United States as a tool of the wealthy to control the nations economy
Continuously vetoed the Bank renewal

9. The Indian Removal Act 1830-1836
Forced Natives off their land and sent them west to Oklahoma
“Trail of Tears” thousands of natives died during the forced move.
Jackson violated the Supreme Court ruling that the law was unconstitutional
“The will of the people?”
Open the land for white settlement

10. Is Jackson really the “Champion of the Common Man?”
He has been portrayed as the ultimate ideal of democracy in history books from the 1860’s to the 1960’s.
He brought the common man, the poor farmer, into the realm of American politics.
Jacksonian Democracy, as it is called, is considered by many to be an advancement of progress for the American people
In the last 40 years historians have re-evaluated their position on Jackson
Is true democracy really what we strive for?
Did Jackson really practice what he preached?
Did Jackson violate the principles of the separation of power between the President and the rest of the government?

11. Whig Party Forms
Daniel Webster, John Q. Adams, Henry Clay, and William Henry Harrison
Whig=To oppose the powers of the King
Statement about Jackson’s abuse of power as President
Reaffirms the 2 party system in America

12. Whig VS Democrat High Tariffs to promote factories
Federal Tax dollars to build Roads, Bridges, Canals to increase trade
Slow down expansion to prevent conflicts with natives and over slavery
Low Tariffs to make British products cheaper for farmers
No Federal spending on infrastructure
Manifest Destiny (expand, expand, expand)

13. President Van Buren Jackson’s chosen successor
Inherits economic problems from Jackson’s Bank policy
Panic of 1837
Loses the election of 1840 to Whig Candidate William Henry Harrison
Harrison runs using Jackson’s tactics of appealing to the common man

14. Manifest Destiny
It is America’s God given right to expand its border all the way to the Pacific coast
America has a clear responsibility to bring the blessings of civilization to the savage west
Democrat President James K. Polk gets aggressive with Mexico over Texas
Mexican American War
Creates huge problems over the slavery issue