1. Empowerment of the “Common Man”
The Age of Jackson,
Empowerment of the “Common Man”

2. The “New Democracy” Comparison to Jeffersonian Democracy
“government for the people” vs. “government done by the people”
Universal Manhood Suffrage!
No property qualifications
New Western States
Eastern States reduce voter requirements
*Frederick Jackson Turner*

3. “The Significance of the Frontier in American History”
Cheap, available land has developed the “American character”.
Critics look for more complex thesis
Impact on Americans’ psyche

4. Rise of Workingman’s Parties
Laborers in the East
10 hour day
Education for children
No debtor’s prison
“Locos Focos”, 1820s

5. Causes of the New Democracy
Panic of 1819
Speculators
BUS
McCullough v. Maryland, 1819
Missouri Compromise (Compromise of 1820)
Balance between Slave and Free
New Political Age
Two-Party system: Democrats vs. National Republicans, 1832
Replaces “Era of Good Feelings”
New style of campaigning
Demise of the caucus
Electoral College by popular vote
Nominating conventions

6. Election of 1824 Corrupt Bargain: Jackson vs. Adams
House of Representatives
Support of “American System”
Henry Clay, Secretary of State

7. The Tariff of Abominations, 1828
Congress increases Protective Tariff
Protective Tariff, 1816
Tariff of 1824: 23% to 37%
Ploy by Jacksonians to defeat Adams
Election of 1828
John C. Calhoun’s “The Southern Carolina Exposition”
Theory of Nullification (Virginia/Kentucky Resolutions)

8. Election of 1828 A lot of “mudslinging” The “Revolution of 1828”
First president from the West
No sitting president since John Adams
Voter turnout – Universal Manhood Suffrage

9. “Old Hickory’s” Administrations, 1828-1836
New section of the West
Hero of the Common Man
Hated American System
Defied the Supreme Court and Congress
Number of Vetoes
“King Andrew I”

10. Jacksonian Democracy Increase in manhood suffrage End of Caucus
Use of State conventions
End of Caucus
Spoils System!!!
Martin Van Buren, “Albany Regency”
Rotation in office, “turn about is fair play”
Set precedent for “clean sweeps”
Political corruption

11. Jackson’s Cabinet and Resignation of Calhoun
“Kitchen Cabinet”
Unofficial 13 advisors
Webster-Hayne Debate, 1829
Cause: Bill to curb sale of public lands
Lasted 9 days in Senate
States’ Rights versus Federal Government
“Liberty and Union…”, articulation of Union
Jefferson Day Toast, 1830
“Our Union, it must be preserved!”
Eaton Affair, 1832
Peggy Eaton

12. Nullification Crisis, 1832 South still angry – Tariff of Abominations
Tariff of 1832 (35% from 45%)
South nullifies Tariff of 1832
Threatens secession
Clay proposed a compromise!
Tariff of 1833
Force Bill passed by Congress (face-saver)

13. Election of 1832 Clay versus Jackson Clay’s American System
Jackson’s “Divorce Bill
End BUS (ploy by Clay)
Bank Wars (Nicholas Biddle)
McCulloch vs. Maryland (1819)
BUS strengths:
Organized
Reduced Bank Failures
Issued sound Bank notes
Credit and currency available

14. “Pet” Banks State banks 23 banks Overseen by Roger B. Taney
Specie Circular: public lands bought with “hard” money