JACKSONIAN DEMOCRACY

The Rise of Nationalism and Sectionalism

What do you notice about the election of 1824 compare to elections of 1816 & 1820?

Election of 1824 – Party System Collapses

1. Re-emergence of the Second Party Systema. Beginning of grass roots politicsb. Politicians go to the people and mobilize them

1) more people involved2) more people voted

2. End of Virginia Dynasty

3. “Corrupt Bargain”

CORRUPT BARGAIN

No one had majority of electoral votes

House of Representatives had to decidethe election

Clay had power to swing election andvoted for Adams over Jackson

Adams appointed Clay as Secretary ofState

Jacksonians became Democratic-Republicans and sabotaged Adams’

policies

Adams Legacy: Voter population enlarged

Dirty Campaigning

BigamistHad a temperExecuted desertersTook part in duels

ElitistYankeePimp

Beginning of Jacksonian Presidency – triumph of democracy over aristocracy1. Focus – “the man on the make” (person willing to work hard to get ahead)2. Movement towards equality between the rich and the poor

First to invite public to inauguration

Crowd became wild – poured punch in tubs and put it on the White House lawn to get people out of the house

Destruction of dishes, decorative pieces, people came in muddied boots and homespun clothing

Characteristics of Jackson’s Presidency

Father of the modern presidency – populist Wealthy plantation owner that appeals to the common man

drew support from every section and every social class Western presidency, not eastern based Idea that ordinary citizens knew what was right by instinct Bring political news to the common man’s attention

Five-Point Philosophy Federal government must be obeyed States rights must be preserved National debt must be paid Direct taxes and loans must be avoided Must preserve the federal union

Issue of Native Americans – Indian Removal Act of 1830Ignored rulings of the Supreme Court

Power of executive branch growsVetoed most bills

Maysville Road Veto – vetoes funds to complete the Cumberland Road Systembased on the fact it was unconstitutional and it interfered with paying offthe national debt

Used Pocket veto – do not sign bill 10 days before Congress recessedRevoked charter of Second National Bank Fights against nullification and states rights issuesInstituted Spoils System

New president replaced former presidential appointees with their ownsupporters

Issue of Native Americans – Indian Removal Act of 1830Ignored rulings of the Supreme Court

Issues: NullificationBank Issue

Nullification – South Carolina

Issue: The economy of South Carolina was on the decline – blame the federal government –promote states rights to solve their problems

Calhoun’s Argument (VP from SC) – Only states know what goes on in their states, thus thestates should be able to take action

If the federal government did not allow them to act, thenthe state could secede from the Union (nullification)

Nullification: 1. Constitution was a compact between the states, thus states’ power wassupreme

2. Theory of Indestructible Powers – states’ power could not be taken away bysomething the states had created

Nullification passes the SC state legislature, but it could not be used until they needed it.

Nullification Crisis

Spark: Tariff of 1828 – “Tariff of Abominations”a. Tariffs increase yet again to protect manufacturing (1816, 1824)b. Tariff is reduced to 1824 levels, but SC declared tariff Null and Void and

threatened to secede from the Union

Jackson’s Response: Tariff Act of 1833 – gradual reduction to 1816 levelsForce Bill of 1833 – Army will collect SC’s taxes

Result: Calhoun resignedSC repealed nullification, but not before they declared Force Bill null and void

Webster Hayne Debate

Hayne’s stand: Argues for staterights

Calhoun’s argument

Webster’s stand: Argues US is one nation

Jackson’s stand: Nation needs to bepreserved

Decision: Tariff PassedSC threatens to secedeForce Bill of 1833-use

military to force SC to pay

Compromise by Clay:Tariff will be gradually lowered

over 10 years

Calhoun resigns as Vice President

Jackson does not like the National Bank Clay is pro National BankBefore 1832, Nicholas Biddle(president of National Bank) started the Bank WarNational Bank = Monster Bank

Clay needs an issue to run on1. Biddle agreed to apply for a new charter 4 years early2. Jackson vetoed the recharter3. Clay has an issue, however, Jackson won the election with a small popular vote

Banking IssueBiddle became president of National bank in 1823

Spark: Restricted the lending of state banks - stabilized the economyResult: opposition grows because they did not understand what he was

trying to do

Reaction: Government removed deposits and put them into small local banksRoger Taney, Secretary of Treasury withdrew fund and placed them into 7 state banks (pet)By 1836, 90 state banks had government fundsState banks loan money without specie (gold and silver)

Response: Biddle started to call in loans, but does not work

Result: Jackson killed the monster bank, but created a depressionJackson’s greatest failing

Legacy: Boom and BustBank notes in circulation jump from $28 mil to 120 milPrices soar to 15% in 6 monthsFederal income from land sales rose $24 mil – national debt paid with $20 mil surplusRush to buy land halted, prices sagged; speculators had to dispose of land to banksCommodities (wheat, corn) droppedPanic of 1837 – every bank forced to suspend specie payments

Jackson’s Indian Policy

Get rid of them94 treaties signed in 8 yearsVast migration to Oklahoma Territories

Black Hawk War-1832 (leader of Sac and Fox) Treaty signed to move west across Mississippi to Iowa, land not good, move back Whites view this as a war-like move US Army attacks

Cherokee – northwestern Georgia One of 5 civilized tribes Signed treaty to keep land, but gold was discovered Georgia declared treaty no good, but Cherokees take case to Supreme and court

ruled in favor of the Cherokee (Worcester v. Georgia-1832)• Trail of Tears

Jackson’s Foreign Policy

Trade agreements negotiated

• Great Britain opened British West Indies port to American ships• American pressed claims be paid dating from Napoleonic War

1831-French agreed to pay $5 mil in compensationTrouble-US unable to collect on a bill for 1st installment; 2nd installment ignoredJackson demands law from Congress to get reprisals on French property if not paid,

Congress does not act•Jackson ordered navy to attack - Chamber(France) agreed to pay appropriated funds.

Evaluation of Jackson

Pros

Very aggressive in handling issuesExpanded the powers of the presidentFirst president to veto for reasons other than unconstitutionalVetoed 12 bills, predecessors combined 9Enhanced political prestige of office of president

Cons

Approach to problems too instinctiveBank issue- get revengeHad little perception what was going on around himTrusted friends too much (kitchen cabinet); suspicious of enemiesTreatment of Native Americans