the jacksonian era: democratic reforms lesson 15

THE JACKSONIAN THE JACKSONIAN ERA:ERA:Democratic Democratic ReformsReforms

LESSON 15LESSON 15

Political disputes were Political disputes were common…common…

I. 1824-1828: Political Disputes

A. ELECTION OF 1824: There were 4 candidates for the Presidency

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS North WILLIAM CRAWFORD South HENRY CLAY & ANDREW

JACKSON West

B. People voted along sectional lines, and no candidate received a majority of the electoral votes election thrown to House of Representatives (12th Amendment – top three finishers considered)

http://teachpol.tcnj.edu/amer_pol_hist/thumbnail125.html


C. THE “CORRUPT BARGAIN”

1. After Clay was eliminated from the race, he supported Adams as Speaker of the House, he held tremendous influence

2. Clay struck deal with Adams for his support in the House Clay was promised appointment as Secretary of State


3. Jackson and Clay’s main disagreement support for the Bank of the United States JACKSON: Against it

because it was prejudiced against Southerners

CLAY: Supported it; part of American System

4. ADAMS WINS! Jackson expected to win and claimed “corrupt bargaining” by Clay


D. Democratic-Republicans were running unopposed, but were splitting up nonetheless two new parties forming

WHIGS: Clay, Adams, and Daniel Webster were supported by the rich

DEMOCRATS: Jackson and Martin Van Buren represented the commoners

NATIONAL REPUBLICANS/ “WHIGS” DEMOCRATS

Henry Clay John Quincy Adams Daniel Webster

LEADERS

Andrew Jackson Martin Van Buren

Upper classes (wealthy and well-to-do)

SUPPORTERS

Small farmers, city workers, common man

• Favored strong national government

• Represented upper classes

• Bankers, merchants, large landowners

• Favored national bank, protective tariffs, interest of business

BELIEFS

• Urged greater democracy

• Opposed an all powerful federal government


E. ELECTION of 1828: Jackson attempts comeback against President John Quincy Adams an election pitting the poor man against the wealthy


1. MUDSLINGING: Negative campaigning typical for this campaign ADAMS: Not a

legitimate President – a corrupt figure, and his wife was born out of wedlock!

JACKSON: Wife was accused of cheating on him with another government official!


2. Jackson defeated Adams on strength of the increase in democracy UNIVERSAL

MANHOOD SUFFRAGE: New voters – no longer necessary to own land

Introduction of party nominating conventions

POPULAR CAMPAIGNING: Candidates began to direct their campaign toward the people

The Revolution of 1828The Revolution of 1828

II. Revolution of 1828: Jackson’s Presidency

A. An election for the commoners

1. “Old Hickory” walked to his inauguration

2. Relied on his “kitchen cabinet” close advisors, but not formal members of the Cabinet

Jackson expanded the Jackson expanded the PresidencyPresidency

B. Jackson’s politics1. Increased democracy

Increased number of elected officials (rather than appointed)

Shortened terms of office for local officials

Eliminated property requirements for voting

Nominating conventions replaced caucus system for Presidential election process more active voters


2. Democracy and the President Believed President was a

servant of the people Used veto more than any

other President Prepared for force against

South Carolina after they protested Tariff of 1832

Did not enforce Supreme Court decision in Worcester v. Georgia against people’s interests

SPOILS SYSTEM: Jackson fired over 2,000 government workers and replaced them with able party supporters


INDIAN REMOVAL ACT (1830): Federal government would provide funds to negotiate treaties that would force the Indians to move West for Jackson, the removal policy was not only liberal, but generous because it would enable the Indians to maintain their way of life

TRAIL OF TEARS (1831): 800-mile journey westward forced upon Cherokee Nation from Georgia who would not abide by Indian Removal Act direct refusal to enforce Supreme Court decision in Worcester v. Georgia

Jackson’s battles against states’ Jackson’s battles against states’ rightsrights

C. Economic Aspects of the Jacksonian Era1. Jackson was a symbol of the working class and

the middle class supporting the common man was his goal

2. CHEAP LAND: Jackson gave land to squatters through the Congress’ passage of preemption laws

3. 1832: NULLIFICATION CRISIS IN SOUTH CAROLINA 1832: New tariff passed (40%) that made Tariff of

Abominations seem cheap JOHN C. CALHOUN: Jackson’s Vice President who

argued in favor of nullification theory


Jackson against horrible tariff, but also against nullification theory and Calhoun believed federal law was supreme and could not be challenged by states

On Calhoun’s advice, South Carolina voided the tariff and threatened secession

FORCE BILL: Jackson had been given the power to enforce the tariff by sending troops to South Carolina


1833: Compromise tariff designed by Henry Clay Congress passed it and South Carolina repealed its nullification

Compromise settled tariff issue, but not issue of states’ rights

Jackson’s battles regarding states’ Jackson’s battles regarding states’ rightsrights

4. Bank dispute continues… 1832: Second Bank of United States

rechartered without support of Jackson and the common people

Jackson’s issues with the Bank of the United States1) Bank prejudiced against poor farmers from

South and West2) Opposed printing of paper money – only

coining of gold and silver should be allowed specie

3) Jackson vetoed the recharter after reelection in 1832 over Henry Clay BUS was a major issue of the election of 1832

Jackson’s battles regarding states’ Jackson’s battles regarding states’ rightsrights

5. Jackson created many economic problems Wildcat Banks established: Jackson crippled

the national bank by placing federal money into state banks

He made unwise loans to people without collateral

Too much paper money circulated by wildcat banks

Specie Circular: Jackson instructed federal agents to only accept land payments in gold or silver

Actions led to depression during Panic of 1837, which Democrats were blamed for

The decline of the The decline of the Jacksonian EraJacksonian Era

D. Elections of 1836 and 18401. 1836: Martin Van

Buren succeeded Jackson as President continued Democratic control of White House

2. Democrats are blamed for a short depression in 1837 (Panic of 1837) and Martin Van Buren is defeated by Whig William Henry Harrison in 1840

the jacksonian era: democratic reforms lesson 15

Documents

wealthypolitical disputes

claypolitical disputes

house clay

president john quincy

commonjackson defeated

active voters jackson

political disputeselection

presidential election