THE RISE OF A MASS DEMOCRACY

AP U.S. HistoryChapter 13

Transformation of American Politics, 1824-1832

• 1824 – Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren (Democrats in 1830s) and Henry Clay, JQ Adams (leading Whigs) - all Republicans

• Why separate?? Industrialization in New England, spread of cotton in South, westward expansion

• Republicans who feared strong federal government, preference for states rights – Democrats!

• Republicans (with many former Federalists) who thought government should encourage economic development - Whigs

The "New Democracy"

• By 1820s – politicians appeal to voters!• Written ballots instead of voting aloud (no

intimidation) • Focused on increasing the electorate, esp in

areas where weak

• Do have poll taxes instead of property, but…• Universal white manhood suffrage – no property

qualifications – Between 1812 & 1821, 6 new western states granted

universal manhood suffrage– Between 1810 & 1821, 4 eastern states significantly

reduced voting requirements• Result – MOST WHITE MALES COULD VOTE

REGARDLESS OF SOCIAL STANDING, POLITICAL OFFICES HELD BY LOWER/MIDDLE CLASS

Causes of the New Democracy

• Panic of 1819 – Workers and farmers blamed banks – Answer - get more politically involved

• The Missouri Compromise – Northern opposition to Missouri’s admission as a slave state

made southerners fearful that the federal gov’t would violate states' rights.

– Goal of white southerners: Control federal gov't to protect South • Two-party system reemerged by 1832: Democrats vs.

National Republicans/Whigs • Third parties too! Anti-Masonic and Workingmen’s parties

• Voter turnout rose dramatically: 25% in 1824; 78% in 1840

• New style of campaigning developed (Banners, parades, barbecues)• Negative campaigning too

• Voting reform• first nominating convention held (PEOPLE participate)• Electoral College changed too – Electors chosen by

PEOPLE, not state legislatures

THE “CORRUPT BARGAIN” OF 1824

• Sectional tensions brought Era of Good Feelings to an end with ‘24 election…

• Candidates: Clay rep the West, Crawford from GA and John C. Calhoun from SC rep the South, and John Q. Adams rep New England. Then here comes Andrew Jackson, also from the West! -- All "Republicans”

• Jackson wins more popular and electoral votes, BUT NOT MAJORITY!!!

• House of Reps must choose among first 3 finishers (Jackson, Adams, and Crawford)

• Clay finished 4th but was Speaker of the House and in charge of election. • Henry Clay hated Jackson. Also wanted to link

West and Northeast.

•So….

• House elected Adams president.– Clay's influence

• Jackson lost despite having largest % of popular vote.

• Clay - Secretary of State• Jackson's supporters - the

"corrupt bargain"

JQA as President• Full of controversy– Federal aid for internal

improvements – Jeffersonians and Martin Van Buren (NY Governor) – NOOOOO!!!

– Send American delegates to Latin American conference – southerners – NOOOOO!!!

– Appointed opponents to high positions

GOING “WHOLE HOG” FOR JACKSON IN 1828

• As Adams’s popularity declined, Jackson rose.

• Martin Van Buren – two party competition• Election of 1828 • National Republicans -

J.Q. Adams• Democratic Republicans

– Jackson• Ugly campaign! • Jackson defeated Adams

178 electoral votes to 83

• First President from the West; seen as a great common man

• Jackson’s support: West, South, and laborers on the east coast— “common man”

• Adams won New England and wealthy voters in the Northeast.

"The Revolution of 1828" • No sitting president had been

removed since John Adams in 1800 • Increased voter turnout was

decisive• Balance of power - East to

expanding West.

“OLD HICKORY” AS PRESIDENT• Like Jefferson - reduce role of federal gov’t in favor of

states’ rights– Hated Clay’s "American System" – Congress should not favor one section/interest – should

focus on what benefits ALL Americans – Maysville Road veto – No federal money for intrastate

improvements (roads & canals). Vetoed bill for improving the Maysville Road in Kentucky (Who’s state???)

• At times defied will of Congress and the Supreme Court • veto 12 times• "King Andrew I"

THE SPOILS SYSTEM• Rewarding political supporters with public office

• "rotation in office" • Removed many officeholders of rival party (corrupt)

• Goal: Let as many citizens as possible hold office for at least a short time (one term).

• Consequences – A national political machine was built around Jackson– Political corruption resulted

"Kitchen Cabinet" • Unofficial group of about 13 temporary advisors • Not answerable to Congress - seen as a threat• Influence greatly over-exaggerated

Peggy Eaton Affair • Peggy Eaton - wife of Sec. of War

Eaton• Snubbed by wives of Jackson's

cabinet members, especially Mrs. Calhoun

• Jackson defended Mrs. Eaton • Jackson began purging Calhoun’s

allies in the cabinet• Jackson turned increasingly

against Calhoun

Jackson and the South…

• Veto of Maysville Road bill and Indian Removal Act made Jackson popular in south.

• Tariff issue would test loyalty…

THE TRICKY “TARIFF OF ABOMINATIONS”

• Northern bankers, merchants, and manufacturers favored high tariffs to protect American goods from foreign competition. Southern planters feared that high tax rates would increase the cost of nearly everything they bought. Also diminishes exports of cotton and other staples.

• Congress increased the tariff in 1824 from 23% on

dutiable goods to 37%• 1828 Bill (under Adams by some Jackson supporters!)

– Tariff of 1828 – 45%

Jackson vs. Calhoun

• Calhoun – State’s Rights! SC – economic decline as cotton spread West. High tariffs hurt, were sectional legislation.

• Calhoun’s argument – only tariffs that raised money for a COMMON purpose were constitutional. Tariff of 1828 too high to raise revenue, doesn’t benefit everyone EQUALLY.

• Anonymously wrote South Carolina Exposition and Protest – tariff is unconstitutional, states have right to nullify within their borders (similar to Jefferson’s and Madison’s Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions of 1798)

• Southerners worried about something other than tariff. If federal government can pass a tariff law that benefits one section of the country, can they pass laws that interfere with SLAVERY???

• Denmark Vesey (1822• Nat Turner (1831)• William Lloyd Garrison’s

The Liberator (1832)

“NULLIES” IN SOUTH CAROLINA

• Tariff of 1832 - Jackson attempted lowering tariff– 35% from about 45. Lowered rate on many items

but still affirmed the principle of protectionism.• Personal issues between Jackson and Calhoun

made matters worse – Eaton affair and rumor that Calhoun wanted Jackson punished back in 1818 for invading FL

• Jefferson Day Dinner (1830) - Jackson proposed a toast, fixed his eyes on Calhoun and stated: "Our Union: It must be preserved! Calhoun replied: "The Union, next to our liberty the most dear! May we always remember that it can only be preserved by distributing equally the benefits and burdens of the Union."

• November 1832 – S.C. state convention • nullified Tariffs of 1828 and 1832, forbade

collection of customs duties within the state• Also make necessary military preparations• Threatened to secede from the Union if

Jackson attempted collection by force.

Jackson's reaction • HATED NULLIFICATION – “abominable

doctrine”• Threatened to personally lead a federal army

into SC– "hang" nullifiers, including Calhoun

• Standoff threatened a possible civil war• No federal troops marched

The Olive Branch and the Sword

• Compromise Tariff of 1833– Tariff reduced by 10% over eight years. – Henry Clay

• Force Bill – authorizing the President to use arms to collect customs duties in SC

• S.C. – didn’t abandon nullification (nullified Force Bill!), but did end nullification of tariffs

Aftermath • Stepping stone to Civil War • SC gradually abandoned nullification in favor of secession

by 1860

• Calhoun resigned in 1832 – Became leader in the Senate & champion of

states’ rights in SC– Rigorously protected slavery and states rights’