The Rise of Mass Democracy 1824-1840 The Election of 1824 Four candidates vie for presidency (Monroe ends the Virginia Dynasty): John Quincy Adams MA Henry Clay Kentucky William Crawford Georgia Andrew Jackson- Tennessee Old Hickory Wins????? Andrew Jackson wins popular vote but not enough electoral votes (a la 2000) 12 th Amendments states that you must have a majority (over 50%) to win Candidate Andrew Jackson J.Q. Adams William Crawford Pop. Vote Electoral Vote 43% 99 31% 84 13% 41 Henry Clay 13% 37 The Corrupt Bargain Sent to H.o.R. (Clay presides over the votes) Clay supports Adams who wins on 1 st ballot (versus 30+ ballots in 1800) Adams appoints Clay Secretary of State Was it a Corrupt bargain? 1
See the Family Resemblance? The Adam s Presidency: John Adams- 2 nd President of the U.S. John Quincy Adams- 6 th President of the U.S. Adams not a natural politician Did not give his followers jobs with the admin. Sectionalism continued to grow and expand States Rights grew Adams was a Nationalist: Wanted road, canals, federal university, national observatory South hated all of this WHY?!!!!!! What to do about the Cherokees and Western Land? Enter Jackson! Bitter over loss of 1824 Election Campaigned actively from 1825 until 1828. Campaign becomes dirty and personal: Jackson claims Adams is a corrupt, elitist who use federal funds inappropriately Also that he was a pimp Adams (really his supporters) claim that Jackson s mom was a prostitute, wife was an adulterer, and Jackson was part black! Jackson will take election handily: 178 to 83! It is a damn poor mind indeed which can't think of at least two ways to spell any word. Elevate those guns a little lower. Democracy shows not only its power in reforming governments, but in regenerating a race of men and this is the greatest blessing of free governments. Was Jackson the result of Jefferson? Mass Democracy at Inaugural Ball Conservatives were frightened to death of this MOB!!!! 2
Voting Requirements in the Early 19c Voter Turnout: 1820-1860 Why Increased Democratization? 3 White male suffrage increased 3 Party nominating committees. 3 Voters chose their state s slate of Presidential electors. 3 Spoils system. 3 Rise of Third Parties. 3 Popular campaigning (parades, rallies, floats, etc.) 3 Two-party system returned in the 1832 election: Dem-Reps Natl. Reps.(1828) Whigs (1832) Republicans (1854) Democrats (1828) The New Jackson Coalition 3 The Planter Elite in the South 3 People on the Frontier 3 State Politicians spoils system 3 Immigrants in the cities. Jackson 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. 3
Was Jackson the End Result of Jefferson? The Spoils System: Jackson struck many bargains Large scale spoils system (supporters received the best government jobs) What was his excuse for the system? ( Every man is as good as his neighbor ) Was Jackson the End Result of Jefferson? Tariff of Abominations Tariffs bred more tariffs bred more tariffs etc. Monroe, Adams, and Jackson all had to deal with these protections 1828: Jacksoniansproposed high-rated tariff (just to further damage Adams) It passed Pissed off the South (Why?!) The South Carolina Exposition The South Carolina Exposition With these views the committee are solemnly of impression if the system be persevered in, after due forbearance on the part of the State, that it will be her sacred duty to interpose her veto; a duty to herself, to the Union, to present, and to future generations, and to the cause of liberty over the world, to arrest the progress of a power, which, if not arrested, must in its consequences, corrupt the public morals, and destroy the liberty of the country. The South Carolina Exposition Written by John C. Calhoun (then V.P.) Calls for the nullification of the Tariff of 1828 Congress attempts to placate South Carolina by passing the Tariff of 1832 (just slightly better) S.C. nullifies new Tariff and threatens secession Was that a good idea? The Trail of Tears! Andrew Jackson is not known to play nice with those who oppose his authority! 4
Indian Removal Act 5 Civilized Tribes: Cherokee Creek Choctaw Seminole Chickasaws Cherokees living in Georgia were assimilating, attempting to be Americanized Georgia made their councils illegal and took control Supreme Court sided with Natives John Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it. Jackson (acting as a father figure) forcibly removes 100,000s of Natives to the permanent reservation (Oklahoma) This emigration should be voluntary, for it would be as cruel as unjust to compel the aborigines to abandon the graves of their fathers and seek a home in a distant land. But they should be distinctly informed that if they remain within the limits of the States they must be subject to their laws. In return for their obedience as individuals they will without doubt be protected in the enjoyment of those possessions which they have improved by their industry -Andrew Jackson, Message to Congress 1829 The Bank War Andrew Jackson distrusted the bank from early on: Lost money in Land Speculation during Panic of 1819 Blamed the 2 nd Bank of the United States (B.U.S.) 1832: Clay and Henry Webster urge the renewal of the Bank Why if bank was chartered until 1836? Bill is passed and sent to Jackson: Jackson vetoes it with passion! Why is this important? The Bank War 1832: Jackson defeats Henry Clay easily in election (Election saw Nominating Conventions, published platforms, and a 3 rd Party: Anti-Masonics) Jackson saw his easy win as a mandate to attack the bank even more. Jackson ends the depositing of Federal funds into the B.U.S. Bank slowly dies! (Its always fun when economics, government and personal vendettas clash!) 5
6
Fall and Rise of Political Parties A short history: No political parties before Washington s pres. Federalist and Democratic-Republicans emerge under Washington 1796: 2 distinct and angry parties wage war during the campaign 1816: Federalist die out leaving 1 party (can it still be a party with no opposition?) 1824: Republicans split into National Republicans and Democratic Republicans 1828: Democratic Republicans become Democrats (still around today. 1828: National Republicans become Whigs (Will become Republicans with Lincoln in 1860) 7