Chapter 9 Jacksonian America

Chapter 9 Jacksonian America

The Rise of Mass PoliticsJacksonian philosophyEquality of ConditionEquality of OpportunityIncrease in nations growth and territorial growth could produce an elite class???Increase in Enfranchisement

Voting before the 1820s = white male property owners or taxpayers

Voting after 1820 = all white malesReasons = New states entering the Union included the new voting requirements in their states constitution

2. Older states changed their voting laws to hopefully prevent citizens from leaving their states and moving westward

Conservatives Resist

ConservativesForces of DemocratizationWhy would conservativesbe resistant to change?No better is this resistance to democratization illustrated than the Dorr RebellionImportant Facts:

Rhode IslandThomas L. DorrPeoples PartyOld vs. New State GovtRebellion failed but forced changes

Second Party System EmergesIdeological commitmentParty system was closed off to the eliteParties were set on destroying the otherFederalists vs. RepublicansFirst Party SystemThe idea of party needed to be institutionalizedThe population at large needed to participatePreservation of party through loyalty and favors was most importantPermanent opposition was key to a partys survivalWhigs vs. DemocratsSecond Party SystemMartin Van Buren was key in the development of the Second Party SystemThe Development of the Second Party SystemFEDERALISTSFirst Party SystemREPUBLICANS(Democratic-Republicans)FEDERALISTSFederalist Party fell apart leaving the Republicans as the sole political partyREPUBLICANS(Democratic-Republicans)

The Republicans enjoyed political autonomy during the Era of Good Feelings untilREPUBLICANS(Democratic-Republicans)Differences emerged that split the Republican PartyREPUBLICANS(Democratic-Republicans)

NATIONAL-REPUBLICANSThese party changed names over the yearsDEMOCRATIC-REPUBLICANSWHIGSThese party changed names over the yearsDEMOCRATS(Still exists today)Democracy Increased or Limited?

We need to expand the opportunities to the rising classes of the West and South.

Lets first target the entrenched federal officeholders and open those positions to everyone.Jackson was sometimes referred to as the President of the Common ManLead toThe Spoils SystemDemocracy Increased or Limited?

We need to make the process of how Presidential candidates are chosen more democratic.

My supporters tell me that national party conventions will give more power to the people.Jackson was sometimes referred to as the President of the Common ManSome feelthis lead toCorruptionOur Federal UnionJacksons GoalReduce the power of the National GovernmentWhile at the same timeAssert the supremacy of the UnionJacksons Administration

John C. CalhounFrom South CarolinaJacksons Vice PresidentStirred up trouble with Theory of NullificationFurther isolated himself as a result of the Peggy Eaton Affair

Martin Van BurenFrom New YorkJacksons Secretary of StateMember of Jacksons official as well his Kitchen CabinetAccepted Peggy Eaton and became Jacksons successor

John H. EatonFrom TennesseeJacksons Secretary of WarMarried Peggy Eaton which stirred up the political world of WashingtonA Line is DrawnAn argument between the sale of Western lands quickly morphed into a debate between States Rights versus National Power(Webster Hayne Debate)

Our Federal UnionIt must be preserved.The Union, next to our liberty most dear.JacksonCalhounA very important toastThe Nullification Crisis

South Carolina was furious over the 1828 tariff of abominationsWhen the a new tariff was passed in 1832, S.C. called a convention and nullified the tariffs

Jackson insisted nullification was treasonA.J. proposed a force bill authorizing the president to use the military to ensure acts of Congress were obeyedViolence was averted thanks to Henry Clays CompromiseThe tariff would be lowered graduallyJackson signed both the compromise and the force bill; S.C. repealed the nullification of the tariffs but nullified the force actDiscussion Question(s):

Was nullification a success?

What did it prove?The Removal of the Indians

Attitudes Shift

MMMMLANDWhite AmericansWhite Americans craved more territoryNative Americans were seen as an obstacle for whites desiring to move WestThe Marshall Court gave the federal government the authority to negotiate with the tribes over landThe Black Hawk War showed the horrific lengths white Americans were willing to go to expel Indians from the western landsRemoving the Five Civilized Tribes

These states were becoming impatient with the delay of removing the agrarian tribes from their landsThe federal government assisted by passing the Removal ActThe Removal Act

Appropriated money to finance federal negotiations with the southern tribes aimed at relocating them to the WestTrail of Tears

Treaty with the CherokeesGeorgia would get the tribes landCherokee received $5 million and a reservation west of the Mississippi RiverSeveral Indians refused to go and as a result, Andrew Jackson sent in 7,000 troops under General Winfield Scott to force them outThe result was the Trail of Tears, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of Native Americans

Now the Native Americans are beyond the reach of injury or oppression

Discussion Questions:

Were there any alternatives to the removal of the Native Americans?

If not, why do you think?

If so, could they have worked?Jackson and the Bank War

JacksonThe Bank of the U.S.Nicholas Biddle

President of the Second Bank of the United States and made it prosperous Opposition to the Second B.U.S.Soft Money AdvocatesWanted more currency in circulation meaning they wanted more bank notes (not backed by gold or silver) to be issuedStated the B.U.S. restrained state banks from issuing notes freelyHard Money AdvocatesBelieved gold and silver were the only basis for moneyCondemned all banks who issued bank notesWere suspicious of expansionBelieved in rapid economic growthBattle for the Bank

JACKSONBIDDLEVS.ROUND 1Stated he would not favor the renewing of the Banks charter when it expired in 1836Was influenced by Henry Clay & Daniel Webster to apply to Congress in 1832 for the Banks renewalWHY??It would force the Bank to become a major issue in the 1832 electionCongress rechartered the BankWHY??As expected, Jackson vetoed the bill; Congress was unable to overturn the vetoROUND 2: The Knockout PunchJackson could not abolish the bankHe attempted other means to destroy the monster

I cant wait until 1836 for that Monster Bank to expire!! Remove all the governments depositsSec. of Treasury Louis McLaneUmmm President Jackson, I am pretty sure that will destabilize the financial system so I cant do that.ROUND 2: The Knockout PunchJackson could not abolish the bankHe attempted other means to destroy the monster

YOURE FIRED!!!!!Sec. of Treasury Louis McLane

ROUND 2: The Knockout PunchJackson could not abolish the bankHe attempted other means to destroy the monster

Congrats on the new positionby the way I want you to remove all the governments deposits from the Bank of the U.S.New Sec. of Treasury William Duane

Ummm President Jackson, I really cant do that. It would be bad.ROUND 2: The Knockout PunchJackson could not abolish the bankHe attempted other means to destroy the monster

YOURE FIRED!!!!!New Sec. of Treasury William Duane

ROUND 2: The Knockout PunchJackson could not abolish the bankHe attempted other means to destroy the monster

Attorney General Taney, my good friend and ally congrats on the new position in my cabinetnow about removing those government deposits???New Sec. of Treasury Roger Taney

You got it A.J.!!!!!One Last Effort by Biddle

Ok JacksonIm not going away so easy.With the governments deposits being removed to pet banks, Biddle called in loansThis caused financial distressPeople went to Jackson for help but he stood firm and told them to Go to BiddleBiddle relented and due to his unpopular tactics lost support for rechartering the BankDo you agree with this political cartoon?

Goodbye Marshall; Hello TaneyWhen John Marshall died in 1835, Jackson appointed his friend Roger B. Taney as the new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

This caused a shift from the previous ultra-nationalistic rulings during the Marshall CourtDartmouth College v. Woodward (1819)Impact / Ruling: placed restrictions on the ability of state govts to control corporationsCharles River Bridge v. Warren Bridge (1837)Impact / Ruling: supported Massachusetts right to issue the second charterSHIFT

The object of government was to promote the general happiness, an object that took precedence over the rights of contract and property.The Changing Face of American Politics

Democrats and WhigsEmphasis on OpportunityDefend the UnionRallied behindJacksonEconomicUnionFearful of rapidTerritorial growthEmbraced industry as the future of the countryLoyalties divided among the Great TriumvirateSupported Jacksons choice, Martin Van Buren, in the 1836 electionAnti-MasonsAnd the winner is

Martin Van BurenThanks for your support A.J.!!!!!!!!!!!Van B BoysWhat did Van Buren inherit??The federal government was selling Western lands in great amountsSpeculators bought land in such bulk that the federal government paid off their debt and even had a surplus

A. HamiltonNOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!What to do with the surplus???Give it to the states The Distribution ActThere was a nationwide economic boom

I loathe Paper currency!!!!!!!!!Specie CircularBefore leaving office, A.J. issued a presidential order, the specie circular Only gold or silver coins for payment for public landsA.J. thought it would curb land speculationLed to the Panic of 1837

IRONIC???Panic of 1837Worst depression in the U.S. up to that pointBanks failedUnemployment rose

What role did the Distribution Act play in the crash?Van Burens Response

Uh what do you want me to do???Van Buren did nothing because he strongly opposed government interventionThe Panic of 1837 spelled disaster for Van BurenVan Buren was able to get the Independent Treasury passedU.S. Federal GovtBanksMartin Van BurenElection of 1840

Martin Van Buren for the DemocratsWilliam Henry Harrison for the Whigs

Vs.Log Cabin CampaignWhigs were more unitedDemocrats had no answer to these campaign strategiesElection of 1840

Martin Van Buren for the DemocratsWilliam Henry Harrison for the Whigs

Vs.60 Electoral Votes234Electoral VotesWilliam Henry Harrisons Inauguration Speech

Shouldnt he be wearing a coat??? ITS FREEZING OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!One month later

William Henry HarrisonTyler Takes Over

John TylerWas a former DemocratDestroyed Van Burens independent treasurySaid no to Clays proposal to recharter the B.U.S.Vetoed several internal improvement billsWhigs broke ties with Tyler His cabinet resigned (except Sec. of State Daniel Webster)Whig DiplomacyThe Caroline AffairWebster-Ashburton TreatyTreaty of Wang Hya