1. Chapter 9 in brief
Jacksonian Democracy

2. The rise of Democracy
Common man seen as capable and intelligent, and given a share in politics
Education and information movements
New western states: Constitutions that eliminated property qualifications for voting or holding political offices
More offices opened to election rather than appointment
Presidential electors chosen by popular vote in all but a few states

3. Officeholders saw themselves more as leaders and representatives; intense campaigns for voters
Competition between candidates thus increased
money, people, and organization essential to run for office now
Parties as powerful institutions
Loyal party workers rewarded with positions

4. Jackson began his campaign for 1828 early (just after 1824)*
Jackson’s noncommittal to policies to avoid driving voters away*
“Dirtier politics”*
Jackson’s wife; Adams’s chess/pool table and career
Great voter turnout: Jackson wins
Who was Jackson?
Neither democrat nor friend of underprivileged
Wealthy land speculator: owned large plantation and slaves
Manners/lifestyle of Southern Planter
*reminds you of today, huh?

5. Jackson’s Presidency
Direct representative of the people
Veto-crazy
Supported states’ rights and local control
Versus Calhoun…
Didn’t accept advice well
Moderate stance on sectional issues
HATRED for the Second Bank
Biddle; bank crisis

6. Indian Removal…
Cherokee vs. Georgia
Jackson: states’ rights (for the most part…)
Marshall Court?
Your supplementary readings
Nullification Crisis
South Carolina: the new Rhode Island
Jackson’s pushes with Britain and France

7. Jacksonian Democrats
Suspicion of special privilege and big business
Freedom of economic opportunity
Political freedoms (for whom?)
Ordinary citizens able to perform tasks of gov’t
Tended to favor states’ rights
The Whigs
Opposition to Jackson helped the Whigs coalesce
Didn’t care for Jackson’s finance plans or streak of anti-intellectualism
Slow to develop; didn’t defeat Van Buren, Jackson’s hand-picked successor

8. Van Buren
Pragmatic, political, and engaging politician
Fought Bank of the US and also opposed irresponsible state banks as well
Supported infrastructure building, but preferred states take the lead
Panic of 1837; cotton decline in 1839; general depression until 1843
Van Buren didn’t cause it but didn’t alleviate it
Independent Treasury Act
Log Cabin Campaign
Tippecanoe and Tyler Too!