The Triumph of Democracy

Growing dominance of the common people in society and politics

I. The Hotel: Symbol of the Age

• Demonstrated geographic and social mobility

• “American Plan” menus

• Sign of “greater equality” to many foreign visitors

• Also illustrated the worst of American democracy

• Site of new style democratic politicking

II. The Democratic Impulse: The Spirit of the Age

• Change in attitude toward the idea of democracy

• Strong surge of political and social leveling

• By 1820’s, most states had universal manhood suffrage for white males

• New style of campaigning became prevalent

• Appearance of statewide political organizations

II. The Democratic Impulse (cont.)

• By 1828, presidential electors were chosen by the people

• Popular participation in elections increased dramatically during this era

--1840 election = 78% turnout

• Strong loyalties to political parties developed during this era

• Important political issues debated at this time

III. Growing Equality: The Culture of the Age

A. Society

• Distaste for being seen as a servant

• Decline in aristocratic dress

• Attack on professional societies

• The reality of equality became ever more evasive

• The “American” game of baseball is “invented” in 1839

B. Literature and Art

• Growing Literacy

• The common man became the target for writers

• Some pander to the tastes of the common man

--The “Penny Press”

--Lurid, Sentimental Novels

• Some writers attempt to improve popular tastes

B. Literature and Art (cont.)

• Fascination with death and horror

• Other popular and not-so popular American writers of the time

• Theater for the common man

• Truly American art and architecture

IV. Popular Campaigns: The Politics of the Age

• The Election of 1824--The “Corrupt Bargain”

• Adams’ Presidency• The Election of 1828• New and Old

Campaign Techniques• Rise of the Democratic

Party

V. Andrew Jackson: A Man for His Age (1829-1837)

A. The Man

• Forceful, obstinate, proud and unforgiving

• Violent temper• Self-reliant• “Old Hickory”• A Man of

Contradictions: a democratic aristocrat

B. His Presidency

• Death of his wife, Rachel

• Endorses the “Spoils System”

• Reduces the influence of the cabinet

• The “Peggy Eaton” Affair (1829)

C. Indian Removal

• The president as ex-Indian fighter

• Georgia seeks Cherokee removal

• The Supreme Court weighs in--Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831)

• Indian Intercourse Act (1834)

• “Trail of Tears” (1838)

D. The Nullification Crisis

• Tariffs as a test case

• Jackson’s growing personal feud with Calhoun

• The “Tariff of Abominations” (1828)

• South Carolina’s Nullification (1832)

• The Force Bill (1833)

• Resolution of the Crisis

E. The Bank War

• Problems with the image of the National Bank

• Nicholas Biddle as president (1823)

• Objections to the Bank• Re-charter attempt in 1832• “The Bank is trying to kill

me, but I will kill it.”• US deposits in “pet” banks• National Bank began to

call in loans

F. Emergence of the Whig Party

• Formation and naming of this new party

• Some southerners joined temporarily

• Characteristics of the Whig Party

• Specie Circular (1836)• The Panic of 1837

VI. The Rise and Fall of Martin Van Buren: Victim of His Age

• Van Buren’s background

• Economic issues dominate his presidency

--Independent Treasury (1840)

• The Election of 1840