TOPIC 6 – THE AGE OF JACKSON AND WESTWARD EXPANSION (1824-1860)Lesson 6.1 – Jackson Wins the Presidency (Vocabulary & Notes)

Key Terms (Vocabulary):

1. Andrew Jackson - 1814 Creek War, he took command of American troops and was victorious in the Battle of Horseshoe Bend; was the 7th President of the United States

2. Alexis de Tocqueville - French visitor who wrote the book,Democracy in America, after studying the American system of government for several months

3. suffrage - the right to vote4. John Quincy Adams - son of John and Abigail Adams, one of the

American delegates present in Ghent on December 24, 1814; ; the sixth President of the United States

5. Henry Clay - (1777-1852) was a leading member of the House of Representatives for Kentucky under Presidents Madison and Monroe who spoke for the interests of the West, and who later served as a US Senator and Secretary of State

6. majority - a group making up more than half of a larger group

7. Whig Party - political party active between 1832 and 1858, backed government support for economy

8. Democratic Party - US political party dating from the 1820s to the present that at first spoke out for small farmers and workers against moneyed businessmen and whose policies have changed over the years

9. spoils system - practice of giving supporters government jobs

Lesson 6.1 – Jackson Wins the PresidencyObj: to describe who gained suffrage by the 1820s; to identify compromises made after the 1824 election, including the roles of Henry Clay And John Quincy Adams; to explain the origin and development of new political parties under John Quincy Adams; to describe the changes that helped shape Jacksonian democracy and the impact of the election of Andrew Jackson; to explain the spoils system

During the early 1800s, a growing spirit of democracy changed the political system and affected American ideas about social classes.The main cause stemmed from the influence of Andrew Jackson.He was an American politician during the time who supported expanding democratic rightsFrom the time of his first campaign for president in 1824 until hi death in 1845, he dominated American politics. Jackson’s policies had a significant effect on issues such as voting rights and the way sin which government functions.This period is often known as the Age of Jackson

DEMOCRACY EXPANDSAlexis de Tocqueville Most Americans did not feel the rich deserved special respect.

Wealthy European visitors were surprised when American servants expected to be treated as equals.

Others were amazed that butlers and maids refused to be summoned by bells, as in Europe

Alexis de Tocqueville:o Visitor from Franceo Arrived from France 1831 Began o Sent by French government to study the American prison systemso Toured the US for several monthso Observed more than the prisonso observing American democracyo returned to France and recorded his experiences and observations

his book, Democracy in America in it he admired the American democratic spirit and

goals of equality and freedom

Increased Suffrage1820s –

early years of the Age of Jackson more Americans gained suffrage others, however, were denied full participation in the growing democracy the US was growing rapidly

o new states were joining the Uniono many citizens were eager to participate in electionso In the West:

First states to give voting privileges to white males who did not own property

Any white man over age 21 could voteo In the East:

Reformers worked hard to expand suffrage1830s –

Most Eastern states dropped the requirement that voters had to own land.o now many craft workers and shopkeepers could now vote

Before 1828 – the turnout of eligible voters was never more than 27%

1828 Election – the turnout was at 58%

by 1840 – voter turnout was nearly 80%

Limits of SuffrageDespite the nation’s growing democratic spirit, a great many Americans did not have the right to vote.

Women Native Americans Majority of African Americans

Slaves had no political rights at all.There were still a few states requiring white men to own property to voteAlthough most white men had won suffrage, free African Americans had lost it.

In the early years of the nation:o Most northern states and a few southern states

Allowed free African American men to vote on equal terms with white men.

o In New York: African American men had to own property in order to vote

while white men did notNo state allowed enslaved African Americans to vote

THE ELECTION OF 1824 LEADS TO A “BARGAIN”1824 –There were four candidates for president(see chart on pg 305 in TB)

All four were from the old republican Party Each had support in different parts of the country

o John Quincy Adams Strong support in New England

o Henry Clayo Andrew Jackson

Both had support in the Westo William H. Crawford

Favored in the South Crawford would fall ill and could not campaign

The CandidatesJohn Quincy Adams –

Massachusetts Son of Abigail and John Adams (2nd president) Graduate of Harvard University Served as Secretary of State Helped end the War of 1812 Admired for his intelligence and high morals Was uncomfortable campaigning among the common people Seemed hard and cold to most people

Henry Clay – Kentucky Shrewd politician Speaker of the House of Representatives Skillful negotiator Known as the “Great Compromiser” – worked out several important

compromises Was the les popular candidate in the West

William H. Crawford Georgia Secretary of Treasury Secretary of War Ambassador to France after the War of 1812 Support concentrated in the Southeast

Andrew Jackson Settlement between North and South Carolinas Born in a log cabin Parents poor farmers General during War of 1812 Known as the “hero of New Orleans” Nickname “Old Hickory” – he was tough as hickory A landowner A slaveowner A man of the people

The “Corrupt Bargain”Election of 1824 –

no clear winner Jackson won popular vote No candidate won a majority of the electoral votes

o Constitution states that the House of Representatives had to choose the president among the top three candidates

Clay finished fourth and was out of the runningo He was Speaker of the House of Representativeso He would play an important role in influencing the results and

reaching a compromise to settle the conflicto He urged members of the House to vote for Adamso His support won Adams the Presidency

After Adams became president, he named Clay as his Secretary of Stateo In the past, Secretaries of State had gone on to become presidento This made Jackson and his backers furious

They accused Adams and Clay of making a “corrupt bargain” Stealing the election from Jackson

This would lead to Jackson doing everything he could to hamper President Adams’s effort to unify the nation.

THE PRESIDENCY OF JOHN QUINCY ADAMSAdams knew that the outcome of the election had angered many Americans.To “bring the whole people together”, he pushed for a program of economic growth through internal improvements.His plan backfired, however, and opposition to him grew.

Promoting Economic GrowthLike Alexander Hamilton and Henry Clay, Adams thought that the federal government should promote economic growth.

Called for government to pay for new roads and canals.o This would help farmers transport goods to market

Favored projects to promote the arts and scienceso Suggested building a national university and an observatory

Most Americans objected to spending money on such programso They feared that the federal government would become too

powerful Congress approved monies for roads and canals, but turned down most of

Adams’s other programs.

Origin of New Political Parties

1820s – Nearly all politicians were members of Jefferson’s Democratic Republican

Party1830s –

New political parties took shapeo They grew out of the conflict between John Quincy Adams and

Andrew Jackson

The Whig PartyDemocratic Republicans – supported Adams

Called themselves National Republicans 1834 – became Whigs

o Party organized by Henry ClayWhigs –

Wanted the federal government to promote business by paying for roads and canals

Believed that the federal government should oversee banks Believed a stable banking system would encourage business Wanted higher tariffs

o By making imports more expensive, they help domestic producers Response of foreign governments:

Imposed tariffs Strongest support in the Northeast

o Eastern factory owners and other businessmeno Some southern planters and many former Federalistso Some support in cities and towns in the South and West

supported the Whig Party because they relied on manufacturing and commerce

Whig policies aimed to help those parts of the economy Often divided into factions

o Not all of the party’s members always followed the party’s direction

The Democratic Party

Democratic Republicans - supported Jackson Called themselves the Democratic Party

o Traces its roots to Andrew Jackson’s timeDemocrats –

More political power for ordinary white men Opposed privileges for the wealthy or educated Opposed to tariffs

o Farmers counted on being able to sell their goods overseaso Did not want to risk retaliatory tariffso Did not want to pay more for imported goods

Opposed to a federal government role in the economy Supported westward expansion More tightly organized than Whigs

o Members usually followed the direction set by party leaders Strong support in the South and West

o Especially among small farmers and workers They spoke for small farmers and workers and Westerners Against bankers and Northeastern businessmen

A Bitter Campaign1828 –Adams faced an uphill battle for re-election

This time, Andrew Jackson his only opponentThe campaign was a bitter contestThe focus was not on issues, but on the candidates’ personalitiesJackson –

Supporters brought back the “corrupt bargain” They also attacked Adams as an aristocrat

Adams – Supporters called Jackson a dangerous “military chieftain” Comparing him to dictator Napoleon Bonaparte

Jackson won the election of 1828 easilyHis supporters cheered and claimed a victory for the common people

By common people they meant:o White people who worked or a living

Farmers City workers

For the first time, the politics of the common people were important

JACKSONIAN DEMOCRACYJackson:

Born in a log cabin Parents left Ireland to settle in the Carolinas Both died before Jackson was 15

o Jackson had to grow up quickly He was lean, but a strong fighter Joined the Patriots at the age of 13 during the American Revolution Captured by the British while a messenger for the Patriots After the Revolution, studied law in North Carolina Moved to Tennessee

o Set up a successful law practice Became wealthy

o Bought and sold land in Georgia and Alabama Elected to Congress in his 20s Became a judge Was a major general in the Tennessee militia Won national fame for his achievements during the War of 1812

o Led forces to a major victory in the Battle of New Orleanso Known for his leadership during the Creek War

victory at Horseshoe Bend forces Creeks to give up land in present-day Georgia and Alabama

Led a violent and adventurous life Was quick to lose his temper Dealt with his enemies harshly As President, his supporters considered him

o A man of his wordo A champion on the common people

Huge crowds gathered at his inauguration

The Rise of Jacksonian DemocracyAndre Jackson was elected in 1828 largely because white men without property could now vote.He drew much support from these peopleIn return:

He promised :o To help less wealthy white men

Especially small farmers on the western frontierThe spread of political power to more people was part of what became know as Jacksonian democracy

The Impact of Jacksonian DemocracyJackson was the first westerner to become President.

His election marked a shift of political power to the West He was seen as a daring individualist His image helped shape focus on individual freedom and daring The growth in political parties The growth in citizen participation in the political process Made it legal for all white men to vote

o It would be another to convince them to vote Jackson’s Democratic Party introduced:

o Political campaigns that appealed to common people and their concerns

THE SPOILS SYSTEMOne of the biggest effects of Jacksonian politics was the developments of the spoils systemAfter taking office:

Jackson fired many government employees Replaced them with his supporters

o Most other presidents had done the same Jackson did it on a much larger scale

o Critics accused him of rewarding supporters instead of choosing qualified men

He responded:o Giving government jobs to ordinary men would prevent a small

group of wealthy men from controlling the governmentA Jackson supporter explained the system another way –

“to the victor belong the spoils,” he declared.Spoils are loot. The practice of giving supporters government jobs became known as the Spoils System.