The Age of Jackson, 1824-1844

Daniel Acosta

Helen Cai

Zamir Borja

Jacksonian Democracy

Rise of Democratic Society Class divisions were

not noticeable Widespread belief in

the self-made man No belief in the “self-

made woman” or civil rights

Jacksonian Democracy

Politics of the Common Man Universal Male Suffrage Party Nominating Conventions Popular Election of the President Two-Party System Rise of Third Parties More Elected Offices Popular Campaigning Spoils System & Rotation of Officeholders

Jackson Vs Adams- Election of 1824

Era of Good Feelings ended in political divisions

Candidates were John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay, William Crawford, and Andrew Jackson

Corrupt Bargain Jackson won majority

of popular votes Electoral votes were

split 4-ways Henry Clay used his

influence to sway the House of Rep’s choice into electing Adams as victor

President Adams appointed Clay as his secretary of state

President John Quincy Adams

Jacksonians denounced Adams for internal improvements, aid to manufacturing, and a national university and astronomical observatory

Tariff of 1828 : Tariff of AbominationsSatisfied Northern manufacturers but hurt Southern planters

The Revolution of 1828

Adams sought reelection Southern and Western

discontent benefited Jackson and ruined Adams

Both political parties resorted to smearing each other

Jackson won the election due to his reputation as a war hero and self-made man

Andrew Jackson’s Presidency

Yo 7th President of the United States Hero of the Battle of New

Orleans in the War of 1812 President of the “Common Man”

(Working and Middle Class) An Indian Fighter

Jackson’s Role As President

Created “Kitchen Cabinet” using the Spoils System

Vetoed 12 bills in his Eight Years as President

Was not on the same page with Henry Clay

Was opposed to National debt and increased national spending

Rejected Congress’s powers, whose most audible voice was Clay

The Peggy Eaton Affair

Eaton was accused of being an adulteress by the wives of Jackson’s cabinet

Thus, not invited to private parties

With his powers, Jackson forced the cabinet to befriend Eaton

As a result, most of the cabinet resigned, including John Calhoun, his vice president

Jackson’s Policy Concerning Native American Tribes

Since Jackson was for the common man, he sympathized with people who wanted western land

Indian Removal Act of 1830- resettlement of Native Americans to lands west of the Mississippi

The Bureau of Indian Affairs- created to help these Indian tribes move to their new land

Supreme Court Cases Concerning Native American Tribes

Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831) Cherokees were not a

foreign nation with the right to sue in a federal court

Worcester v. Georgia (1832) Georgia had no power within

Cherokee territory Showed a clash of state

power and federal government

“John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it.”

“Trail of Tears”

The Nullification Crisis

South Carolina called Tariff of 1828 unconstitutional.

Nullification Theory- all states have the right to decide if a federal law should be obeyed or void

The Force Bill gave Jackson the power to send military to SC

Nullification and Disunion was Treason in Jackson’s eyes

A Possible Event of Succession for South Carolina

Jackson’s Policy Concerning the Bank of the United States

Bank of the United States Privately Owned Nicholas Biddle,

President of BUS Jackson thought that the

bank abused its powers due to Biddle’s pride

Unconstitutionality in BUS in Jackson’s eyes

Clay went against Jackson (BUS –part of the American System); wanted it rechartered

Jackson, like did with the other previous legislations, vetoed the recharter for the bank, not making it look good for Clay

The Two-Party System in the Age of Jackson

Democrats Opposed Monopolies,

a national bank, high tariffs, high land prices

Supported local rule, free trade, equal economic opportunity for men, states’ rights

Resembled Jefferson’s Republican Party of the 1790s

Whigs- Opposed crime, and

immorality Favored Clay’s

American System National Bank Protective Tariffs Internal

Improvements Can be Compared to

the Federalist Party

Jackson’s Second Term

“Pet Banks” Specie Circular

    

The Election of 1836

The “Log Cabin and Hard Cider” Campaign of 1840