1. America’s History Sixth Edition
Henretta • Brody • Dumenil
America’s History Sixth Edition
CHAPTER 10
A Democratic Revolution,
Copyright © 2009 by Bedford/St. Martin’s and Matthew Ellington, Ruben S. Ayala High School

2. Chapter 10: A Democratic Revolution, 1820-1844
1. The Rise of Popular Politics, 1820–1829
A. The Decline of the Notables and the Rise of Parties
B. The Election of 1824
C. The Last Notable President: John Quincy Adams
D. “The Democracy” and the Election of 1828
2. The Jacksonian Presidency, 1829–1837
A. Jackson’s Agenda: Rotation and Decentralization
B. The Tariff and Nullification
C. The Bank War
D. Indian Removal
E. The Jacksonian Impact
3. Class, Culture, and the Second Party System
A. The Whig Worldview
B. Labor Politics and the Depression of 1837–1843
C. “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too!”

3. Part 1: The Rise of Popular Politics, A: The Decline of the Notables & the Rise of Parties
In the late 1700s, notables dominated local politics
During the early 1800s states expanded voting rights to most white men and reapportioned their legislative districts by population
State parties grew through the use of patronage, spoils, party discipline and political machines
Thomas Nast portrayal of Jackson and the spoils system

4. Part 1: The Rise of Popular Politics, 1820-1829 1B: The Election of 1824
Refusal of candidates to accept the choice of the Republican caucus led to a five way presidential race
The House was forced to decide since no one received a majority of the electoral votes
Jacksonians charged that Adams won through a “corrupt bargain” with Henry Clay

5. Part 1: The Rise of Popular Politics, 1820-1829 1C: The Last Notable President: John Quincy Adams
Adams strongly supported Clay’s American System of protective tariffs, federally subsidized roads and canals, and a strong national bank
Adams’ support for the high tariff of 1828, fairness to the Indians, unwillingness to use patronage and “notable” style made him increasingly unpopular
John Quincy Adams
Andrew Jackson

6. Part 1: The Rise of Popular Politics, 1820-1829 1D: “The Democracy” and the Election of 1828
The Democrats ran first modern presidential campaign
Democrats: coalition of northern farmers and artisans and southern slaveholders and some smallholders
Jackson won in 1828 due to the expansion of voting and his hostility to the American System and Indians

7. Jackson fighting the Bank of US
Part 2: The Jacksonian Presidency, A: Jackson’s Agenda: Rotation & Decentralization
Jackson used patronage and rotation in office to create a disciplined national political party
Jackson’s vetoes killed the American System, BUS, and strengthened the Presidency
Jackson fighting the Bank of US

8. Part 2: The Jacksonian Presidency, 1829-1837 2B: The Tariff and Nullification
Anger over the high tariffs of 1828 and 1832 led S. Carolina to nullify both tariffs and threaten secession
Congress passed the Force Bill and the Compromise Tariff of 1833 which ended the crisis
Webster-Hayne Debate, 1830

9. Part 2: The Jacksonian Presidency, 1829-1837 2C: The Bank War
Many Americans disliked the National Bank because it could close state banks, made loans more difficult, and seemed to favor the rich
Clay’s failed attempt to force an early re-charter of the bank helped Jackson win reelection against him in 1832
Jackson began to place federal deposits in state “pet banks” to ensure the death of the 2nd national bank

10. Part 2: The Jacksonian Presidency, 1829-1837 2D: Indian Removal
Indian Removal Act of 1830 gave money and land in OK and KA to all Indians who gave up ancestral lands
States and federal government ignored Supreme Court rulings and prior treaties, and took Indian lands
3,000 of 14,000 Cherokees forced to relocate 1200 miles away died on the “Trail of Tears”

11. Part 2: The Jacksonian Presidency, 1829-1837 2E: The Jacksonian Impact
Jackson expanded the power of the Presidency while also limiting the government’s reach
The Taney Court ( ) decisions endorsed states’ rights and free enterprise
Many states also rewrote their constitutions to be more democratic and end the commonwealth system

12. 1836 Political Cartoon predicting Van Buren’s defeat
Part 3: Class, Culture, and the Second Party System 3A: The Whig Worldview
Whig Party appealed to the Northern middle class, evangelical Protestants, and some Southerners
Whigs supported benevolent reforms and the American System and opposed the Masons
Whigs lost election of 1836 but polled fairly well
1836 Political Cartoon predicting Van Buren’s defeat

13. Part 3: Class, Culture, and the Second Party System 3B: Labor Politics and the Depression of
Panic of 1837 led to 20% unemployment, many bankruptcies and cost Democrats election of 1840
Van Buren signed 10 hour federal work day in 1840
Unions won recognition from the Supreme Court but were devastated by harsh tactics and the Panic of 1837

14. Part 3: Class, Culture, and the Second Party System 3C: “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too!”
Jackson’s Specie Circular and Van Buren’s Independent Treasury worsened the depression
Whigs “log cabin” campaign elected Harrison in 1840
Tyler fully assumed the presidency after Harrison’s death and his Democratic leanings split the Whigs