Jacksonsonian Era
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Transcript of Jacksonsonian Era
JACKSONSONIAN ERA1824-1849
John Quincy Adams Son of the second president Brilliant man who was fluent in many
languages. Very qualified – former Secretary of State,
negotiated the end of the War of 1812 and wrote the Monroe Doctrine.
People described him as self righteous and arrogant, “a chip off the old iceberg.”
John Quincy AdamsElection of 1824
Four men ran for president that year William Crawford John Quincy Adams Andrew Jackson Henry Clay
Jackson won both the popular vote and the majority of electoral votes, but he did not have a big enough majority to win. The race had to be decided in the House of Representatives. By law, the top three would have a run off decided by members of the House of Representatives.
The Election of 1824 Henry Clay came in fourth, but he was
Speaker of the House. Crawford had a stroke so the race came down to Adams vs. Jackson.
There was a meeting between Adams and Henry Clay
ANDREW JACKSON1829 - 1837
First Known Painting
of Jackson, 1815
Nicknames/ Qualities “Old Hickory” “Conqueror of Florida”
Short tempered, one either loved him or hated him or loved to hate him, wanted to be called “General,” loved to dual.
Election of 1828 Dirtiest election of all times Both candidates resorted to “mudslinging” mudslinging is trying to ruin the opponents
reputation by saying bad things about them.Attacked Jackson’s wife, Rachel. Said she was a
polygamist. She was actually married to another man that had left her. She did not know he was still alive. He showed up again after she married Andrew Jackson and then got divorced.
Rachel, was very stressed with this situation, she died before Jackson was inaugurated.
Jackson won the election in a landslide!
But he never got over the death of his wife.
He blamed Henry Clay and said that he had convinced a newspaper to run the stories about his wife.
Henry Clay denied the allegations. Jackson said he could forgive the
mudslinging against him, but would never forgive those that attacked his dear Rachel.
Events of Jackson’s Presidency
Suffrage (right to vote) – states began to loosen rules on property ownership being a voting requirement. In other words, Jackson gave more people the right to vote.
Voting Requirements in the Early 19c
Events during Jackson’s Presidency
Spoils system – Jackson fired government workers who were his enemies and hired his friends – system still in place.
Nullification Crisis – Southerners were very upset over high tariffs. Vice President Calhoun from SC threatened to “nullify” (cancel) federal laws on tariffs – even threatening to succeed (break away). Jackson said union must be preserved. Calhoun resigned.
Events of Jackson’s Presidency Indian Removal Act of 1830 – forced removal of
the Native Americans east of the Mississippi. Cherokee tribe fought this Act in court. It went
all the way to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the
Cherokee. Cherokee had Constitutional rights to the land.
Jackson ordered them to leave anyway. General Winfield Scott and seven thousand
soldiers forced the Indians to move west of the Mississippi.
Trail of Tears The forced journey caused thousands of
Indians leave their homes and move mostly to Oklahoma.
Thousands of Indians died on the trip and so it is referred to as the Trail of Tears. One Indian died every four miles 4,ooo Cherokee lost their lives on the trip
It ended in March 26, 1839
Jackson’s War with the Bank
Jackson despised the National Bank. Henry Clay, Nicolas Biddle and Daniel
Webster thought most people were for the bank.
They tried to get it renewed early to force Jackson to veto the bill, because they thought that if he vetoed it, it would be bad for Jackson politically.
Jackson not only vetoed the bill, then “killed” the bank
Martin Van Buren
Good friend of Jackson Organized Democratic Party Had a reputation as an aristocrat
wanna be
Van Buren’s Presidency Panic of 1837 and 1839 – too much
cotton production caused prices to fall The whole economy then collapsed Van Buren had no plan to help the
economy and Jackson had killed the National Bank which may have helped.
Lost the next election due to the poor economy
William Henry HarrisonWar hero and Indian fighter, wanted
re-charter the bankHe was older and smart and had studied
medicine.He wanted to show how smart he wasand gave the longest inaugural address
ever (2hrs). It was a cold and miserable day. Ironically, Harrison caught pneumonia and died. He was the first president to die in office.
John Tyler John Tyler was Harrison’s VP and
became president on Harrison’s death. People called him “His Accidency.”
Refused to pick a VPPeople said he was stubborn andaloof and aristocratic.
Tyler’s presidency Went completely against what Harrison
and the Whig Party had wanted and vetoed the National Bank.
Tyler was then thrown out of the Whig party
Sign a treaty with Texas.
James K. Polk
Very strong supporter of Jackson and his policies.
Some even described him as, “more Jackson than Jackson,” and said he made very decision thinking, “What would Jackson do?”
Polk and Manifest DestinyManifest Destiny defined Term first coined by John L. O’Sullivan in
Democratic Review, July 1845".... the right of our manifest destiny to over spread and to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty and federaltive development of self government entrusted to us. It is right such as that of the tree to the space of air and the earth suitable for the full expansion of its principle and destiny of growth.”
Ideological basis for belief: Sincere belief in democracy and republicanism Idealized view of U.S. as model for others
Religious BeliefsThe belief that Christians must convert the Indian “heathens.”
Concrete Reasons for Manifest Destiny
Americans tempted by “free” land U.S. stopped at Mississippi Knew of California and Oregon
Develop trade with Far East Pacific Coast to Far East – need base Jealous of Mexico’s success
Fear of Foreign Invasion British Claims to Oregon; Mexico in south
4 Factors leading to U.S./Mexican War
Mexican anger over annexation of Texas
Dispute over Texas/Mexican border Nueces River or Rio Grande
Instability of Mexican government 19 governments in 25 years
Polk Administration’s drive to expand U.S. Polk saw his mandate as creating a coast-
to-coast nation
Diplomatic Prelude to War
1845 Polk sends Zachary Taylor to Corpus Christi. Encamped on Nueces River
Sends John Slidell to negotiate. He offers: $5 million for New Mexico west of Rio
Grande $25 million for California
Strong anti-U.S. sentiment meant that Mexico would not accept offer
March 1846 Taylor crossed Nueces and war begins
Polk’s Mexican War Strategy
After luring Mexico into the war, Polk had a three part strategy. 1. Drive the Mexicans out of disputed border
region 2. Seize New Mexico and California 3. Take Mexico City (capital of Mexico)
All those goals were achieved and in February 1848, a peace treaty was signed (The Treaty of Guadalupe Hildago)
Mexico ceded Texas, NM, and CA and agreed to the Rio Grande as being the border between countries
Costs of War Over 1700 were killed in the war. 11,000 die of disease Millions of dollars were spent on the war
effort The Mexican war was the training ground
for Civil War generals.