2. An Era of Jacksonian

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1 The Era of Jacksonian Democracy I've got big shoes to fill. This is my chance to do something. I have to seize the moment. Andrew Jackson, upon entering the Presidency. ( ) 1. The Administration of John Quincy Adams 2. An Era of Jacksonian Democracy 3. Pre Civil War Presidential Administration and Westward American Expansion

2 Presidential Administrations and Westward Expansion The idea of forming one complete nation expanding from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, and preserving the political and economical rights of all Americans from all regions of the country, will be the center of presidential administrations from the 1820 s to the eve of the Civil War.

3 The Administration of John Quincy Adams Son of John Adams, 2 nd President of the United States, decided to run in the election of One of many opponents included the war hero of New Orleans Andrew Jackson, Speaker of the House Henry Clay, and strong states rights supporters John C. Calhoun and William Crawford. Westward Expansion and voting rights played an important role in the election.

4 The Election of The Candidates Because there were so many candidates running in the Election of 1824, none of them received the majority of the Electoral College votes. This was the second time in American history that the presidential election would be decided in the House of Representatives.

5 John Quincy Adams John Quincy Adams of Massachusetts carried the New England states. He was the son of the great John Adams, the second President of the United States, and perhaps, one of the more successful secretaries of states the country has ever seen. He was a strong nationalist and believed that the Federal government should actively be involved in the shift from agriculture to industry.

6 Andrew Jackson The Common Man s Presidential Candidate Andrew Jackson of Tennessee proved to be the most popular candidate and carried nearly every state. The former Congressman was the spokesman for the common people and hailed as the hero at the Battle of New Orleans. Although he had a majority of the popular vote, he could not get enough votes from the Electoral College.

7 William Crawford William H. Crawford of Georgia called for a limited federal government and strong state governments He served as the U.S. Secretary of War ( ) and U.S. Secretary of Treasury ( ) Because of his health, he was forced to withdraw his name from the race.

8 Henry Clay Henry Clay of Kentucky, perhaps the most powerful political figure during the election, was Speaker of the House of Representatives. He called for internal improvements in his American system. He had enough influence in the house to elect any of the candidates.

9 John C. Calhoun John C. Calhoun of South Carolina, who was quite popular in the South, but lacked a national following. He eventually dropped out of the race and becomes Vice President under Andrew Jackson. His ideas will eventually lead to the secession of South Carolina and the start of the United States Civil War.

10 The Election of 1824

11 The Election of 1824 Candidate Popular Vote Electoral Vote Andrew Jackson 43% 99 J.Q. Adams 31% 32 William Crawford 13% 41 Henry Clay 13% 37

12 A Corrupt Bargain Rumor had it that John Quincy Adams had approached Henry Clay secretly and the two had struck a deal. If Adams were elected president, Henry Clay would be appointed secretary of state. Since the state department was the stepping stone to the presidency, it was assumed that Henry Clay would take over the presidency after Adams. When news of this bargain reached Jackson, he was furious. He instantly accused the two of a corrupt bargain. Hey Clay, boy do I have a deal for you! If you make me president... What did I hear? Mr. Adams, but why would I want to be the secretary of state? The secretary of state was the stepping stone to the presidency!

13 The Results John Quincy Adams won the Election of 1824, and became the sixth President of the United States. Henry Clay was appointed secretary of state. With this appointment, Jackson was certain that the two had struck a deal. He cried corruption all over Washington, D.C. and with this accusation became the champion of the common man. He started campaigning for the Election of 1828 right a way. Curse you Adams, A deal was made and I will ruin you!

14 The Significance The Significance Was there a deal? Historians will never no the truth, but chances are there was no deal. It was not in the moral character of John Quincy Adams. He had to have earned his administration or he would never have lived up to his father s expectations and legacy. This so-called bargain casted a dark shadow over Adam s presidency.

15 Quincy Adams Presidency Adams policies were always against popular opinion, and after the congressional elections of 1824, Adam s enemies controlled both houses in Congress. He supported a wide variety of federal government projects, from canals and roads to a national university and a standardized system of weights and measures. Perhaps the greatest secretary of state the country has seen, John Quincy Adam s presidency proved ineffective.

16 Jacksonian Democracy Champion of the Common Man? OR King Andrew?

17 Jackson s s Faith in the Common Man 3 Intense distrust of Eastern establishment, monopolies, & special privilege. 3 His heart & soul was with the plain folk. 3 Belief that the common man was capable of uncommon achievements.

18 Why Increased Democratization? White male suffrage increased Party nominating committees. Voters chose their state s slate of Presidential electors. Spoils system. Rise of Third Parties. Popular campaigning (parades, rallies, floats, etc.) National Republicans Quincy Adams Two-party system returned in the 1832 election: Dem-Reps Natl. Reps.(1828) Whigs (1832) Republicans (1854) Democrats (1828) Democrats Andrew Jackson

19 Re-emergence emergence of the Two Party System The election of Adams as president helped spur the return of the Democratic-Republicans in Those who supported Adams became National Republicans. They wanted a strong central government and supported federal legislation for internal improvements.

20 The Whig Party Because John Quincy Adams lacked political experience, the National Republicans were not very successful. They eventually dissolve and later form into the Whig Party. The Whig Party was eventually reorganized under Abraham Lincoln and later formed into the Republican Party.

21 Democrats The remaining Democratic-Republicans fell behind Andrew Jackson. Jackson formed the Democratic Party. Martin Van Buren is considered the father of the Democratic Party. This party favored state rights and mistrusted a strong federal government.

22 The Election of 1828 A Vicious Campaign During the campaign, both parties resulted to mudslinging, which were attempts to ruin their opponent s reputation with insults. Election slogans, rallies, and buttons were also used to arouse enthusiasm. All these features will become a permanent part of American political life.

23 Jackson s s Triumph Jackson won the election by a landslide. He won 56% of the popular vote and received 178 Electoral College votes to Adam s 83. John C. Calhoun became his vice president. He would eventually resign and leave the party over the question of an economic tariff.

24 Jackson as President As President, Jackson promised equal protection and equal benefits for all Americans. Although Jackson was a states rights advocate, he, as president, would expand the powers of the federal government. His popularity with the common masses would change politics in Washington, D.C..

25 The Reign of King Mob The election of President Jackson in 1828 marked a clear break with the politics of the past. On Inauguration Day, the people celebrated by lining the streets of Washington to see their hero go by. A proud day for the people, declared one newspaper. Jackson allowed his followers to join in a celebration at the Presidential Mansion, and the party soon got out of control when as many as 20,000 visitors caused extensive damage to the home. President Jackson escaped the crowd out one of the windows.

26 Rachel Jackson Final Divorce Decree Andrew Jackson married Rachel Donelson-Robards in August 1791, at Natchez, Mississippi. They were both aged 24. This marriage was later deemed invalid because Rachel's divorce from an earlier marriage had not yet become final. They remarried, this time legally, on January 17, Unfortunately, their remarriage did not end the matter. The charge of adultery was to haunt the couple ever after.

27 Jackson in Mourning for His Wife Jackson was devoted to his beloved wife and even fought 13 duels to protect her honor, even killing one opponent Jackson s adopted Rachel s nephew Andy Jr. During 1828, the press got a hold of their premature marriage and Rachel was accused of Adultery. Rachel did suddenly of a heart attack on December 22, 1828, just two weeks after Jackson had won the election. Rachel Jackson was buried on Christmas Eve in her white house inaugural gown. This deeply affected Jackson and shaped his presidency.

28 An affair that started in President Jackson s administration. Peggy Eaton, daughter of a Washington tavern keeper, was married to Senator John Eaton, close personal friend of Jackson. Mrs. Eaton, like Rachel Jackson had a previous marriage and she was accused of adultery and infidelity. President Jackson, who had lost his wife, felt sympathy for her and demanded that the Washington socialites accept and return social invitations. The Peggy Eaton Affair

29 New Voters In the early years of the nation, most states limited their voting to men who owned property or paid taxes. In the 1820 s, voting requirements loosened, and for the first time, white male sharecroppers, factory workers, and others could be involved in the political process.

30 The Spoils System President Jackson replaced government employees with his supporters on the basis that this would be good for democracy. This practice, later coined as the spoils system, outraged many federal employees. Some eventually painted Jackson as King Andrew I and charged that he acted like a tyrant.

31 The Electoral Process The Electoral Process Democrats abandoned the unpopular traditional caucus, in which members of Congress chose political candidates. The caucuses were replaced by conventions in which delegates from the states selected the party s presidential candidate. (We elect those delegates). Andrew Jackson liked power and he expanded the powers of the executive branch, and, at the same time, tried to limit the role of the federal government s involvement in state affairs.

32 3 Jackson s Goal? Indian Removal Indian Removal Act Indians should be removed westward to Oklahoma, where their white brothers will not trouble them. 3 Cherokee Nation v. GA (1831) * domestic dependent nation fought for their rights through the courts. The Supreme Court ruled that the nation was not sovereign and were subject to federal law.

33 Worcester v. GA (1832) What about state law? Chief Justice Marshall ruled in favor of Worchester and the Cherokee, limiting state power and indicting that the federal government had an obligation to protect the Cherokee from the state governments that were trying to take their lands. Jackson: John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it! Without federal protection, the Cherokee had no choice but to accept a treaty that granted Cherokee land in the Indian Territory. The U.S. government ordered the nation to move within three years. Worchester v. Georgia

34 Trail of Tears ( ) 1839) By 1838 deadline, few of the some 18,000 Cherokee had moved west. An estimated 4,000 Cherokee died on the 800-mile journey that came to be known as the Trail of Tears.

35 The Tariff Crisis of 1828 American Indian removal remains one of Jackson s most controversial legacies, however, the issue of states rights was a more immediate concern In 1828, Congress passed a high tariff on all manufactured goods coming from Europe. Northerners, who wanted to protect American manufacturing, welcomed the tariff. Southerner s hated the tariff of Abominations because it made the cost of traded goods with Europe higher.

36 The South Protests Southern politicians and plantation owners suggested that the states had the right to nullify, legally overturn, a federal law and consider it unconstitutional. They further suggested secession, the right to break away from the Union. Does a state have the right to nullify a federal law and/or secede from the Union?

37 Jackson s s Stance President Jackson felt that the federal government must be preserved and at all costs. After Vice President John C. Calhoun realized that Jackson would not change his mind, he immediately resigned from the vice presidency, and won election to the Senate to South Carolina. President Jackson I hear by resign my position of the vice presidency.

38 The Nullification Crisis In 1832, Congress did pass a lower tariff, but South Carolina along with other southern states passed the Nullification act, declaring that it would declare all tariffs of 1828 and 1832 illegal. If the Union interfered, the state would secede. Henry Clay in 1832, persuaded Congress to pass the Force Bill, which would allow the president to use military force to enforce acts of Congress. South Carolina quickly accepted the lower tariff, and realized that the federal government would not allow a state to leave-at least without a fight (Civil War).

39 The National Bank Debate Nicholas Biddle President Jackson The war against the National Bank The bank was chartered by Congress in George Washington s first administration and was re-charted in 1816 during James Monroe s administration. It held all federal government s money and controlled much of the countries wealth. Jackson disliked the powers of the National Bank and charged that it was an organization of wealthy Easterners. For years, he will try to destroy the bank.

40 Opposition to the 2 nd Bank of the U.S. Soft (paper) $ Hard (specie) $ 3 state bankers felt it restrained their banks from issuing bank notes freely. 3 supported rapid economic growth & speculation. 3 felt that coin was the only safe currency. 3 didn t like any bank that issued bank notes. 3 suspicious of expansion & speculation.

41 A Plan to Defeat Jackson Senators Henry Clay and Daniel Webster planned to use the bank to defeat Jackson. They thought that an attempt to veto the bank s charter to continue the National Bank would lead to Jackson s defeat. The bank question played a big role in the Election of 1832, but Clay and Webster s plan backfired. Most of the general public favored Jackson s plan to dismantle the bank. Jackson was reelected receiving 219 electoral votes to Clay s 49. Martin Van Buren was elected Vice President.

42 The End of the National Bank Once reelected, Jackson dismantled the bank by ordering the withdrawal of all federal deposits from the bank and placed the funds in smaller banks pet banks By 1834, Nicolas Biddle, the Bank s president, was forced to close the National bank.