The Age of Jackson

Brief Summary…….Adams’ administration and his supporters, who included many

former Federalists, began to call themselves “National

Republicans” to show their support for a strong national

government that would promote commerce, support education,

and fund roads and canals. But Adams was not particularly popular.

On the other hand……

Jackson was extremely popular, having won national fame as hero

of the Battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812, later in wars

against American Indians in Florida. He was also backed by a well-

orchestrated political organization. Jackson’s followers

(Jacksonian) formed the Democratic Party, claiming to be the true

successors of (Thomas) Jefferson’s Democratic-Republican Party.

The Democrats believed in small, decentralized government.

Main Idea…

Andrew Jackson’s policies spoke for the common people…..but

violated Native American rights.

The Jacksonian Period (1824-1848) has been

characterized as the era of “the common

man.” To what extent did the period live up

to its characterizations?

Consider the following:Politics, economic development, Federal vs. statepower, treatment of Native Americans

Starter

Objectives:

*Describe tensions between Adams and Jackson

*Explain Jackson’s spoils system and his appeal

*Summarize the effects of the Indian removal Act of 1830

Jackson’s Opponents in 1824

John Quincy Adams[MA]

Henry Clay[KY]

John C. Calhoun[SC]

William H. Crawford[GA]

Election of 1824

*Andrew Jackson won by popular vote

- popular vote: the vote for a U.S. presidential candidate made by the qualified voters, as opposed to that made by the electoral college.

*But lacked the majority electoral vote…..

- electoral vote: the vote cast in the electoral college of the U.S. by the representatives of each state in a presidential election.

Henry Clay• Because of his power in the

House• Clay could swing the election

either way

Clay disliked Jackson personally and mistrusted his lack of political experience……

Henry CLay

John Quincy Adams

Adams agreed with Clay’s American system. Adams was elected by a

majority of the states represented in the

House.(6th President)

Jackson’s New Presidential Style

Expansion of Voting rights….

Concerns of the “ordinary people”

• Jackson won presidency by a landslide

• He was so popular, that record numbers of people came to Washington to see “Old Hickory”

Jackson’s Spoil System

Jackson used powers of the presidency upon gaining office.

He announced that his appointees to federal jobs would serve a maximum of 4 year term

Jackson practiced the spoil system……

“To victor belong the spoils of the enemy”

Spoil system

-Incoming officials throw out former appointees and replace them with their own friends.

Indian Removal Act of 1830President Andrew Jackson outlined his Indian removal policy in his Second Annual Message to Congress on December 6, 1830. Jackson's comments on Indian removal begin with the words….

"It gives me pleasure to announce to Congress that

the benevolent policy of the Government, steadily

pursued for nearly thirty years, in relation to the

removal of the Indians beyond the white settlements

is approaching to a happy consummation. Two

important tribes have accepted the provision made

for their removal at the last session of Congress,

and it is believed that their example will induce the

remaining tribes also to seek the same obvious

advantages."

Congress passed the Indian removal Act in 1830

-federal government provided funds to negotiate treaties that would force the Native Americans to move west.

-90 treaties were signed

For Jackson, the removal policy “not only liberal, but generous”

But this was based on the rights of states to govern within their own boundaries.

Exit SlipWhy did Jackson think that Native Americans should be moved west of the Mississippi?