Chapter 10Chapter 10

THE TRIUMPH OF WHITE THE TRIUMPH OF WHITE MEN’S DEMOCRACYMEN’S DEMOCRACY

America Past and PresentAmerica Past and PresentEighth EditionEighth Edition

DivineDivine BreenBreen FredricksonFredrickson WilliamsWilliams Gross Gross BrandBrand

Copyright 2007, Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as LongmanCopyright 2007, Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman

Democracy in Theory Democracy in Theory and Practiceand Practice

Democracy became preferred description of Democracy became preferred description of American politics in 1820s and 1830sAmerican politics in 1820s and 1830s

In democracy, the people were sovereign and In democracy, the people were sovereign and could do no wrongcould do no wrong

Traditional ideas of deference declined furtherTraditional ideas of deference declined further Equality of opportunity all important; the resulting Equality of opportunity all important; the resulting

inequalities of reward not really considered inequalities of reward not really considered America became society of winners and losersAmerica became society of winners and losers

Democracy and SocietyDemocracy and Society Egalitarian expectations despite growing Egalitarian expectations despite growing

economic inequalityeconomic inequality No distinctive domestic servant classNo distinctive domestic servant class No class distinctions in dressNo class distinctions in dress Economic gap widened between propertied and Economic gap widened between propertied and

labor classes; this was overlooked because labor classes; this was overlooked because legal equality of all white men still radical by legal equality of all white men still radical by European standardsEuropean standards

Egalitarian attack on licensed professions like Egalitarian attack on licensed professions like medicinemedicine

Popular press was the source of information Popular press was the source of information and opinionand opinion

Democratic CultureDemocratic Culture

Artists’ audience was broad citizenry of Artists’ audience was broad citizenry of democracy, not refined elitedemocracy, not refined elite

Romanticism in America appealed to feelings Romanticism in America appealed to feelings and intuitions of ordinary Americansand intuitions of ordinary Americans

Popular literature sensationalizedPopular literature sensationalized– Genres included Gothic horror and romantic fictionGenres included Gothic horror and romantic fiction– Much popular literature written by and for women Much popular literature written by and for women – Melodrama dominated popular theaterMelodrama dominated popular theater

Democratic CultureDemocratic Culture By 1830s, subject of paintings switched from By 1830s, subject of paintings switched from

great events and people to scenes from great events and people to scenes from everyday lifeeveryday life

Architectural style reflected the tenets of Architectural style reflected the tenets of ancient Greek democracyancient Greek democracy

Purpose of art in democratic society was to Purpose of art in democratic society was to encourage virtue and proper sentimentencourage virtue and proper sentiment– Landscape painters believed representations of Landscape painters believed representations of

untamed nature would elevate popular taste and untamed nature would elevate popular taste and convey moral truthconvey moral truth

Only a few truly avant-garde, romantic artists, Only a few truly avant-garde, romantic artists, like Edgar Allan Poelike Edgar Allan Poe

Democratic Political Institutions: Democratic Political Institutions: Politics of Universal Politics of Universal

Male Suffrage Male Suffrage Most states adopted universal white male suffrage Most states adopted universal white male suffrage

by the 1820sby the 1820s Many appointed offices made electiveMany appointed offices made elective Professional politicians and stable, statewide party Professional politicians and stable, statewide party

organizations emergedorganizations emerged Politicians like Martin Van Buren promoted benefits Politicians like Martin Van Buren promoted benefits

of two-party systemof two-party system– Concept of loyal opposition acceptedConcept of loyal opposition accepted

Democracy spread to presidencyDemocracy spread to presidency– Most presidential electors chosen by popular vote rather state legislature by Most presidential electors chosen by popular vote rather state legislature by

1828 1828 – Participation rates rose from 27% in early 1820s to high of 78% in 1840Participation rates rose from 27% in early 1820s to high of 78% in 1840

Economic IssuesEconomic Issues Interest in government economic policy Interest in government economic policy

intensified after 1819intensified after 1819 Political activity and debate around economic Political activity and debate around economic

issues foreshadowed rise of parties based issues foreshadowed rise of parties based around economic programs around economic programs

Republican ideology from Revolution made Republican ideology from Revolution made people suspicious of groups they did not people suspicious of groups they did not identify with or benefit fromidentify with or benefit from– Jacksonians fear of “the money power”Jacksonians fear of “the money power”

Debate over role of federal government in the Debate over role of federal government in the economyeconomy

Labor Radicalism and Labor Radicalism and Equal RightsEqual Rights

Working men’s parties and trade unions emerged Working men’s parties and trade unions emerged in the 1820s and 1830s to protect equal rights that in the 1820s and 1830s to protect equal rights that appeared to be eroding because of low wagesappeared to be eroding because of low wages

They advocated public education reform, a ten-They advocated public education reform, a ten-hour workday, an end to debtors’ prisons, and hard hour workday, an end to debtors’ prisons, and hard currencycurrency

They made some gains but were set back by the They made some gains but were set back by the Depression of 1837Depression of 1837

The women’s rights movement and abolitionists The women’s rights movement and abolitionists made little progressmade little progress

Jackson and the Politics Jackson and the Politics of Democracyof Democracy

Jackson became a symbol of Jackson became a symbol of democracy’s triumphdemocracy’s triumph

Actions of Jackson and his party Actions of Jackson and his party re-fashioned national politics in a re-fashioned national politics in a democratic molddemocratic mold

Era known as Jacksonian DemocracyEra known as Jacksonian Democracy

The Election of 1824 and The Election of 1824 and J. Q. Adams’s AdministrationJ. Q. Adams’s Administration

The election of 1824 a five-way raceThe election of 1824 a five-way race Jackson appealed to slaveholders and Jackson appealed to slaveholders and

rural people opposed to Clay’s economic rural people opposed to Clay’s economic nationalismnationalism

Jackson got plurality of popular and Jackson got plurality of popular and electoral vote, but not a majorityelectoral vote, but not a majority

Adams won in House of Representatives Adams won in House of Representatives with Henry Clay’s supportwith Henry Clay’s support

The Election of 1824 and The Election of 1824 and J. Q. Adams’s AdministrationJ. Q. Adams’s Administration

Clay’s appointment as Secretary of Clay’s appointment as Secretary of State led to charges of a “corrupt State led to charges of a “corrupt bargain” between Clay and Adamsbargain” between Clay and Adams

Adams rejected anti-economic Adams rejected anti-economic nationalism sentiment in his policiesnationalism sentiment in his policies

Mid-term election of 1826 gave Jackson Mid-term election of 1826 gave Jackson forces control of Congressforces control of Congress

Tariff became key issue and logrolling Tariff became key issue and logrolling produced “Tariff of Abominations” in produced “Tariff of Abominations” in 18281828

The Election of 1824The Election of 1824

Jackson Comes to PowerJackson Comes to Power

““Corrupt Bargain” set motivation for 1828 Corrupt Bargain” set motivation for 1828 electionelection

Influential state leaders supported JacksonInfluential state leaders supported Jackson– Calhoun in South Carolina, Van Buren in New YorkCalhoun in South Carolina, Van Buren in New York– Their efforts led to formation of Democratic party, Their efforts led to formation of Democratic party,

first modern American partyfirst modern American party New electioneering techniques of mass New electioneering techniques of mass

democracy borndemocracy born– Parades, picnics, public rallies, etc.Parades, picnics, public rallies, etc.

Jackson Comes to PowerJackson Comes to Power

Campaign dominated by personal attacks and Campaign dominated by personal attacks and mudslingingmudslinging

Jacksonians won by portraying Jackson as Jacksonians won by portraying Jackson as authentic man of the peopleauthentic man of the people

Jackson unclear about his stands on policy Jackson unclear about his stands on policy issues of the day other than Indian removalissues of the day other than Indian removal

Jackson’s democratic stamp on his Jackson’s democratic stamp on his administrationadministration– Defended “spoils system” as democraticDefended “spoils system” as democratic– Replaced most of cabinet because of Peggy Eaton Replaced most of cabinet because of Peggy Eaton

affairaffair

Indian RemovalIndian Removal

Indian removal policy inherited from prior Indian removal policy inherited from prior administrationsadministrations

Jackson agreed with state complaints that Jackson agreed with state complaints that federal government had not removed Indians federal government had not removed Indians quickly enoughquickly enough

Some southern states asserted authority over Some southern states asserted authority over Indians in their bordersIndians in their borders

Jackson got federal government approval for Jackson got federal government approval for state removal initiatives with Indian Removal state removal initiatives with Indian Removal Act of 1830Act of 1830

1838—U.S. Army forced Cherokee west 1838—U.S. Army forced Cherokee west along the Trail of Tearsalong the Trail of Tears

Indian RemovalIndian Removal

The Nullification CrisisThe Nullification Crisis

South opposed tariff because it increased South opposed tariff because it increased prices for manufactured goods and prices for manufactured goods and endangered their access to foreign marketsendangered their access to foreign markets

In wake of 1828 Tariff, John C. Calhoun In wake of 1828 Tariff, John C. Calhoun anonymously spelled out Doctrine of anonymously spelled out Doctrine of Nullification—right of an individual state to set Nullification—right of an individual state to set aside state lawaside state law

Personal relations between Jackson and Personal relations between Jackson and Calhoun souredCalhoun soured

1830—Jefferson Day Dinner1830—Jefferson Day Dinner– Jackson “to the union—it must be preserved”Jackson “to the union—it must be preserved”– Calhoun “to the union—next to our liberty, the most Calhoun “to the union—next to our liberty, the most

dear”dear”

The Nullification CrisisThe Nullification Crisis

1832—tariff passed, South Carolina nullified1832—tariff passed, South Carolina nullified Jackson threatened to send army Jackson threatened to send army CompromiseCompromise

– Force Bill authorized Jackson to use military to Force Bill authorized Jackson to use military to enforce federal lawenforce federal law

– Clay’s Compromise Tariff of 1833 lowered ratesClay’s Compromise Tariff of 1833 lowered rates Nullification foreshadowed state sovereignty Nullification foreshadowed state sovereignty

positions of the South in slavery debatespositions of the South in slavery debates

The Bank War and the The Bank War and the Second Party SystemSecond Party System

““The Bank War” a symbolic defense of The Bank War” a symbolic defense of Jacksonian concept of democracyJacksonian concept of democracy

Led to two important resultsLed to two important results– Formation of opposition party to Jackson— Formation of opposition party to Jackson—

the Whigsthe Whigs– Economic disruption Economic disruption

Mr. Biddle’s BankMr. Biddle’s Bank

Bank of the United States unpopular, Bank of the United States unpopular, blamed in South and West for 1819 blamed in South and West for 1819 DepressionDepression

1823 Biddle took over and restored 1823 Biddle took over and restored confidence confidence

Jeffersonians opposed bank on Jeffersonians opposed bank on principle as unconstitutional and principle as unconstitutional and preserve of corrupt special privilege preserve of corrupt special privilege

Bank possessed great power and Bank possessed great power and privilege with no public accountabilityprivilege with no public accountability

The Bank Veto and the The Bank Veto and the Election of 1832Election of 1832

Jackson vaguely threatened bank in first Jackson vaguely threatened bank in first termterm

On advice of Clay, Biddle sought new On advice of Clay, Biddle sought new charter four years early in 1832charter four years early in 1832

Congress passed, but Jackson vetoedCongress passed, but Jackson vetoed– Claimed the bank was unconstitutionalClaimed the bank was unconstitutional– Defended veto as a blow for equalityDefended veto as a blow for equality

Jacksonian victory in 1832 spelled bank’s Jacksonian victory in 1832 spelled bank’s doomdoom

The Election of 1832The Election of 1832

Killing the BankKilling the Bank

Jackson destroyed bank by removing federal Jackson destroyed bank by removing federal deposits deposits

Funds transferred to state (“pet”) banks Funds transferred to state (“pet”) banks Biddle used his powers to cause recession, Biddle used his powers to cause recession,

attempted to blame Jacksonattempted to blame Jackson Clay got censure of Jackson through Senate for Clay got censure of Jackson through Senate for

abusing his power (Jackson’s withdrawal of abusing his power (Jackson’s withdrawal of deposits from bank)deposits from bank)

Destruction of bank provoked fears of Destruction of bank provoked fears of dictatorship, cost Jackson support in Congressdictatorship, cost Jackson support in Congress

The Emergence of the WhigsThe Emergence of the Whigs

Whig party a coalition of forces, first united in censure Whig party a coalition of forces, first united in censure of Jacksonof Jackson– Clay and National RepublicansClay and National Republicans– Webster and New England ex-FederalistsWebster and New England ex-Federalists– States-rights southernersStates-rights southerners– Anti-Masonic partyAnti-Masonic party

Whigs defended activist government in economics, Whigs defended activist government in economics, enforcement of “decency”enforcement of “decency”

Democrats opposed government regulation of moralityDemocrats opposed government regulation of morality Democrats weakened byDemocrats weakened by

– Defection of Loco-Focos faction upset over pet banksDefection of Loco-Focos faction upset over pet banks– Specie Circular led to the Panic of 1837Specie Circular led to the Panic of 1837

The Rise and Fall of Van BurenThe Rise and Fall of Van Buren

Martin Van Buren Jackson’s Martin Van Buren Jackson’s handpicked successorhandpicked successor

Whig strategy in 1836 was to run four Whig strategy in 1836 was to run four candidates and force election to House candidates and force election to House of Representatives; it failedof Representatives; it failed

Term began with Panic of 1837Term began with Panic of 1837 Panic caused more by complex Panic caused more by complex

changes in global economy than changes in global economy than Jackson’s fiscal policyJackson’s fiscal policy

The Rise and Fall of Van BurenThe Rise and Fall of Van Buren

Laissez-faire philosophy prevented Van Laissez-faire philosophy prevented Van Buren from helping to solve the Buren from helping to solve the problems of economic distressproblems of economic distress

Van Buren attempted to save Van Buren attempted to save government funds with independent government funds with independent sub-treasuriessub-treasuries

Whigs blocked sub-treasuries until 1840 Whigs blocked sub-treasuries until 1840

The Election of 1836The Election of 1836

The Rise and Fall of Van BurenThe Rise and Fall of Van Buren

Whigs fully organized by 1840 Whigs fully organized by 1840 Whig candidate William Henry HarrisonWhig candidate William Henry Harrison

– Image built of a common man who had Image built of a common man who had been born in a log cabinbeen born in a log cabin

– Running mate John Tyler chosen to attract Running mate John Tyler chosen to attract votes from states-rights Democratsvotes from states-rights Democrats

Harrison and Tyler beat Van Buren Harrison and Tyler beat Van Buren because their revival of the American because their revival of the American system seemed like a good responsesystem seemed like a good response

Heyday of the Second Heyday of the Second Party SystemParty System

Election of 1840 marked rise of permanent Election of 1840 marked rise of permanent two-party system in the U.S.two-party system in the U.S.

Whigs and Democrats evenly divided the Whigs and Democrats evenly divided the electorate for next two decadeselectorate for next two decades

Parties offered voters a clear choiceParties offered voters a clear choice– Whigs supported a “positive liberal state”: Whigs supported a “positive liberal state”:

government should support and protect government should support and protect industries that help economic growthindustries that help economic growth

– Democrats supported “negative liberal state”: Democrats supported “negative liberal state”: government should not interfere in economygovernment should not interfere in economy

Heyday of the Second Heyday of the Second Party SystemParty System

WhigsWhigs– Industrialists, merchants, successful Industrialists, merchants, successful

farmers, more likely Protestant farmers, more likely Protestant DemocratsDemocrats

– Small farmers, manufacturing, more likely Small farmers, manufacturing, more likely CatholicCatholic

Tocqueville’s Wisdom Tocqueville’s Wisdom

Alexis de Tocqueville praised most Alexis de Tocqueville praised most aspects of American democracy aspects of American democracy

Warned of future disaster if white males Warned of future disaster if white males refused to extend liberty to women, refused to extend liberty to women, African Americans, and IndiansAfrican Americans, and Indians