political trends of the antebellum era (1824-1840) the rise of the “common man” &...
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Political Trends of the Antebellum Era (1824-1840)
The Rise of the “Common Man”
& “Jacksonian Democracy”
Decline of the Notables
In what ways did Washington, Adams,Jefferson, Madison, Monroe and JohnQuincy Adams embody a sort of politicalelitism?
Read the excerpts from the speeches of the first six U.S. presidents.
I. What was new about the “new democracy”
in antebellum America?
Universal White
Manhood Suffrage
“Common Men” begin gaining political power over “notables”Ex: Davy Crockett
Economic Advancements Change Politics
Create Class Divisions Less rural/urban divide Regional economics Independent artisans lost
ground to outwork system Wealthy favored by taxes Classes easily exited: “self-
made man”
Power More Broadly Held Universal Male Suffrage Egalitarian marriages in the
north Mass production and
machine tools helped smaller entrepreneurs
Unions gain rights for workers
Context set up in CH. 9…
“ Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word, equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude.”
De Tocquevillecomments of
political trends inDemocracy in
America“The most able men in
America are rarely elected to office.”
John Quincy Adams&
Andrew Jackson
Changing Political Trends
Personified by
• “Old Hickory” becomes the hero of the “Common Man” and the new Democratic Party
• War Hero
• “Self Made” man
• Westerner
Andrew Jackson John Quincy Adams
• Intellectual & Diplomat was the symbol of the nationalist “establishment” in the early 19th C.
• Harvard Educated
• Son of a President
• New Englander
Election of 1824 & alleged “Corrupt Bargain”
Ends “Era of Good Feeling”
Jackson’s “Revolution” of 1828
The reign of “King Mob” at Jackson’s Inauguration
“New Democracy” in Action asJackson Increases Political “Patronage”
“Spoils System” or “Rotation of Office” ??
Other “democratic”
Trends
• Anti-Masonic Party
• Open Party Conventionsreplace closed Caucuses
• More local political offices
(ex: sheriff & judges)elected rather
than appointed
II. Jackson & the Native Americans
Should a “democratic” leaderpursue a policy favored by a
majority of constituents if manyconsider it morally wrong?
• 5 “Civilized” Tribes
• Indian Removal Act
• Worcester v. Georgia
“Trail of Tears”
III. Jackson & the “Tariff of
Abominations”
Should a “democratic” leaderthreaten force to pursue a policy not favorable to one section of the
nation?
Southern View of Tariff
Nullification Crisis
States Rights vs. Nationalism
1828 - “Tariff of Abomination”
John C. Calhoun & South Carolina Exposition
Jackson uses military intimidation – Force Act
“Compromise” Tariff of 1833
IV. Jackson and the 2nd B.U.S.
Should a “democratic” leader ignore Congress and the
Supreme Court in order to check the power of business interests &
the social elite to please the “common man”?
The “Bank War” of 1832Whether or not to re-charter the 2nd BUSsparks a class & cultural debate between:
Rich vs. PoorEast vs. West
Elite vs. Common Man
J BA IC DK vs. DS LO EN
Jackson as “King Veto”
Jackson ignoresSupreme Court (again)and vetoes a 3rd BUS -
puts federal $into state “pet banks”
Martin Van BurenPresident (1837 – 1841)
Term marred by Panic of 1837
V. Legacies of the Jacksonian Era
“Populism” adopted by both political parties
“Tippecanoe & Tyler Too”
“Log Cabin & Hard Cider”
Election of 1840
Increases theInfluence of the
Presidency