Instructional Focus Document Notes Grade 8/Social Studies UNIT: 07 TITLE: Age of Jackson Part 1: Jackson Democracy

Instructional Focus Instructional Focus Document NotesDocument Notes

Grade 8/Social StudiesGrade 8/Social Studies

UNIT: 07 TITLE: Age of UNIT: 07 TITLE: Age of JacksonJackson

Part 1: Jackson DemocracyPart 1: Jackson Democracy

A New Era in PoliticsA New Era in Politics

The spirit of Democracy which was The spirit of Democracy which was changing the political system affected changing the political system affected Americans’ ideas about social classes.Americans’ ideas about social classes.

Most Americans believed that the rich Most Americans believed that the rich did not deserve special treatment, or did not deserve special treatment, or respect.respect.

Alexis de Tocqueville was sent to the Alexis de Tocqueville was sent to the United States from France to study United States from France to study and write about American democracy. and write about American democracy.

Alexis de TocquevilleAlexis de Tocqueville

He observed that He observed that American society American society continued to continued to become more become more democratic.democratic.

After returning to After returning to France his book: France his book: Democracy in Democracy in AmericaAmerica influenced influenced many minds across many minds across Europe. Europe.

Alexis de TocquevilleAlexis de Tocqueville

In his book he noted and admired the In his book he noted and admired the American democratic spirit and its American democratic spirit and its goals of equality and freedom.goals of equality and freedom.

He noted the results of the revolution He noted the results of the revolution was still taking place in America and was still taking place in America and were far from coming to an endwere far from coming to an end

More VotersMore Voters The United States was growing rapidly The United States was growing rapidly

with many more states joining the Union, with many more states joining the Union, which meant more voterswhich meant more voters

Suffrage (the right to vote) was extended Suffrage (the right to vote) was extended to more Americans. to more Americans.

Suffrage ExpandsSuffrage Expands

Reformers in the East worked to Reformers in the East worked to expand suffrage, and by 1830 most expand suffrage, and by 1830 most Eastern states dropped the Eastern states dropped the requirement that voters had to own requirement that voters had to own land to vote.land to vote.

There were still many Americans who There were still many Americans who did not have the right to vote did not have the right to vote including: Women, Native Americans, including: Women, Native Americans, Slaves, and Free African Americans. Slaves, and Free African Americans.

Disputed Election of 1824Disputed Election of 1824

There were four candidates in the Presidential There were four candidates in the Presidential election of 1824.election of 1824.

All four were members of the Democratic-All four were members of the Democratic-Republican party.Republican party.

John Quincy Adams (son of former President John Quincy Adams (son of former President John Adams) was strong in New EnglandJohn Adams) was strong in New England

Henry Clay and Andrew Jackson were Henry Clay and Andrew Jackson were supported in the West.supported in the West.

William Crawford was supported in the South. William Crawford was supported in the South.

Candidates in 1824Candidates in 1824

The Corrupt BargainThe Corrupt Bargain

The candidates narrowed to John Quincy The candidates narrowed to John Quincy Adams and Andrew JacksonAdams and Andrew Jackson

No clear winner emerged in the electionNo clear winner emerged in the election Andrew Jackson won the popular vote, but Andrew Jackson won the popular vote, but

did not have the majority of electoral did not have the majority of electoral votes needed to win the election.votes needed to win the election.

As a result, the House of Representatives As a result, the House of Representatives had to choose the next President. (as had to choose the next President. (as stipulated in the Constitution.)stipulated in the Constitution.)

Corrupt BargainCorrupt Bargain Henry Clay was Henry Clay was

Speaker of the Speaker of the House and could House and could therefore influence therefore influence votes.votes.

Clay urged the Clay urged the House to vote for House to vote for Adams and Adams Adams and Adams won the election.won the election.

Clay was then Clay was then appointed Secretary appointed Secretary of State by Adamsof State by Adams

Corrupt BargainCorrupt Bargain

Andrew Jackson Andrew Jackson and his supporters and his supporters were furious. were furious.

They accused Clay They accused Clay and Adams of and Adams of making a corrupt making a corrupt bargain and bargain and stealing the stealing the election from election from Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson

Corrupt BargainCorrupt Bargain

These charges were not true, but the These charges were not true, but the anger of Jackson and his supporters anger of Jackson and his supporters hampered any attempt by President hampered any attempt by President Adams to unify the nation. Adams to unify the nation.

Election of 1828Election of 1828

Adams faced an Adams faced an uphill battle for his uphill battle for his re-election.re-election.

Andrew Jackson Andrew Jackson won this election in won this election in a landslide.a landslide.

For the first time, For the first time, the interests of the the interests of the common man were common man were important. important.

Jackson’s InaugurationJackson’s Inauguration

Andrew Jackson’s Andrew Jackson’s inauguration in inauguration in 1829 reflected the 1829 reflected the growing spirit of growing spirit of democracy.democracy.

The spread of The spread of political power to all political power to all the people became the people became known as known as ““Jacksonian Jacksonian Democracy.”Democracy.”

Jackson was the “Common Jackson was the “Common Man’s” PresidentMan’s” President

The Democrat Party BeginsThe Democrat Party Begins

The disappearance of the Federalist party The disappearance of the Federalist party temporarily ended party differences.temporarily ended party differences.

New political parties formed because of New political parties formed because of the conflict between Adams and Jackson.the conflict between Adams and Jackson.

Whigs were the new political party that Whigs were the new political party that wanted the federal government to spur wanted the federal government to spur (push forward) the American economy(push forward) the American economy

Whigs were supported by eastern Whigs were supported by eastern business, southern planters, and former business, southern planters, and former federalists. federalists. Whigs did not like nor support Whigs did not like nor support Andrew Jackson.Andrew Jackson.

The Democrat Party BeginsThe Democrat Party Begins

Democrats were people who supported Democrats were people who supported Andrew Jackson.Andrew Jackson.

Democrats included frontier farmers, Democrats included frontier farmers, factory workers, factory workers, commoners,commoners, etc. etc.

New ways to choose New ways to choose CandidatesCandidates

There were new ways to choose There were new ways to choose candidates to run for the Presidency.candidates to run for the Presidency.

Before was the Caucus system. This was Before was the Caucus system. This was considered undemocratic because only a considered undemocratic because only a few powerful men selected the candidates.few powerful men selected the candidates.

Nominating Conventions replaced Nominating Conventions replaced Caucuses. Delegates from each state Caucuses. Delegates from each state voted for the candidates who would run for voted for the candidates who would run for the Presidency. the Presidency.

Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson

Jackson was a self Jackson was a self made manmade man

Fought in the Fought in the American Revolution American Revolution at age 13at age 13

Studied law in North Studied law in North Carolina and opened Carolina and opened successful law successful law practice in Tennesseepractice in Tennessee

Elected to Congress Elected to Congress while in his twenties. while in his twenties.


Became wealthy by Became wealthy by buying and selling buying and selling land in Georgia and land in Georgia and AlabamaAlabama

Won national fame Won national fame for his for his achievements in the achievements in the War of 1812 War of 1812 (especially the (especially the Battle of New Battle of New Orleans)Orleans)


Jackson had a violent Jackson had a violent temper and dealt temper and dealt harshly with his harshly with his enemiesenemies

He wanted to expand He wanted to expand the power of the the power of the President.President.

The Creeks thought of The Creeks thought of Jackson as an enemy Jackson as an enemy without mercy. They without mercy. They called him the “Sharp called him the “Sharp Knife”Knife”

Spoils SystemSpoils System

After winning the election, Jackson After winning the election, Jackson fired many government employees fired many government employees and replaced them with his supportersand replaced them with his supporters

Andrew Jackson had many unique Andrew Jackson had many unique policies , and strategies (plans)policies , and strategies (plans)

Critics claimed that Jackson was Critics claimed that Jackson was rewarding Democrats for getting him rewarding Democrats for getting him electedelected


Jackson countered Jackson countered by saying he was by saying he was supporting supporting democracy by democracy by allowing ordinary allowing ordinary people to run the people to run the government. government.

The Spoils System The Spoils System can be defined as can be defined as profits or benefits. profits or benefits.


From then on rewarding supporters with From then on rewarding supporters with government jobs became known as the government jobs became known as the Spoils SystemSpoils System

The “Kitchen Cabinet”The “Kitchen Cabinet” Because many of the Because many of the

supporters Jackson supporters Jackson gave government gave government jobs to were not jobs to were not qualified, Jackson qualified, Jackson rarely met with themrarely met with them

Instead he met with Instead he met with his unofficial cabinet his unofficial cabinet of leading of leading Democrats and Democrats and educated newspaper educated newspaper editorseditors

The “Kitchen Cabinet”The “Kitchen Cabinet”

Because they would meet after hours in Because they would meet after hours in the White House Kitchen, they earned the the White House Kitchen, they earned the nickname, “Kitchen Cabinet”nickname, “Kitchen Cabinet”

The Bank WarsThe Bank Wars

The National Bank held great power, The National Bank held great power, because it controlled all the loans made by because it controlled all the loans made by state banks. If state banks made too many state banks. If state banks made too many loans, the National Bank would step in and loans, the National Bank would step in and limit the amount of loans they could make. limit the amount of loans they could make.

This angered farmers and merchants who This angered farmers and merchants who needed these loans for land and needed these loans for land and businesses.businesses.

Though the National Bank was created by Though the National Bank was created by Congress, Jackson claimed that the bank Congress, Jackson claimed that the bank was unconstitutional. was unconstitutional.

The Bank WarsThe Bank Wars The Whig Party (Daniel Webster and Henry The Whig Party (Daniel Webster and Henry

Clay) were worried that Jackson would Clay) were worried that Jackson would destroy the National Bank. destroy the National Bank.

They wanted Jackson to lose his re-They wanted Jackson to lose his re-election, so they moved up the date of the election, so they moved up the date of the Bank charter renewal knowing that Bank charter renewal knowing that Jackson would veto the renewal. Jackson would veto the renewal.

They thought that if the renewal was They thought that if the renewal was vetoed, then the closing of the Bank would vetoed, then the closing of the Bank would lead to an economic crisis and Jackson lead to an economic crisis and Jackson would be blamed.would be blamed.

He would then lose the election. He would then lose the election.


Jackson DID veto the National Bank’s Jackson DID veto the National Bank’s renewal charter giving two reasons:renewal charter giving two reasons:

1. 1. He said the bank helped the aristocrats He said the bank helped the aristocrats at the expense of the common man. It had at the expense of the common man. It had too much power over the economy and too much power over the economy and favored the wealthy. favored the wealthy.

2. The National bank was unconstitutional 2. The National bank was unconstitutional and that only state banks could charter and that only state banks could charter banks and loans, not the Federal banks and loans, not the Federal government. government.


The National Bank The National Bank closed when its closed when its charter ran out in charter ran out in 1836.1836.

Its closing Its closing contributed to an contributed to an economic crisis. economic crisis.


Andrew Jackson Andrew Jackson was beginning to was beginning to gather more and gather more and more political more political enemies who were enemies who were becoming alarmed becoming alarmed at the power he at the power he was wielding as was wielding as President. President.

States RightsStates Rights

This is the right of individual states to limit This is the right of individual states to limit the power of the Federal government the power of the Federal government within their borders.within their borders.

During Andrew Jackson’s presidency, the During Andrew Jackson’s presidency, the debate over States Rights affected two debate over States Rights affected two issuesissues

1. The tariff issue1. The tariff issue 2. The rights of Native Americans to lands 2. The rights of Native Americans to lands

they had been guaranteed in Federal they had been guaranteed in Federal treatiestreaties

Tariff of 1828Tariff of 1828

In 1828, Congress In 1828, Congress passed the highest passed the highest tariff in the history of tariff in the history of the United States. the United States.

Tariffs were intended Tariffs were intended to protect the to protect the northern industries northern industries from competing from competing industries in Europe.industries in Europe.

Tariffs usually Tariffs usually impacted the South impacted the South negatively. negatively.

Tariff of 1828Tariff of 1828

The South called the Tariff of 1828 the The South called the Tariff of 1828 the ““Tariff of AbominationsTariff of Abominations.”.”

The South sold their cotton to European The South sold their cotton to European nations at discounted prices. In return, nations at discounted prices. In return, European nations provided the South with European nations provided the South with manufactured goods at low cost.manufactured goods at low cost.

The tariffs only helped (protected) the The tariffs only helped (protected) the North. North.

Tariffs were designed to create a demand Tariffs were designed to create a demand for American manufactured goods.for American manufactured goods.

Calhoun vs. WebsterCalhoun vs. Webster

John C. Calhoun John C. Calhoun (Andrew Jackson’s (Andrew Jackson’s Vice President) Vice President) claimed that a claimed that a state should have state should have the right to nullify the right to nullify a law it considered a law it considered unconstitutional.unconstitutional.

Calhoun supported Calhoun supported States RightsStates Rights

Calhoun vs. WebsterCalhoun vs. Webster

Daniel Webster Daniel Webster disagreed with disagreed with Calhoun.Calhoun.

Webster said the Webster said the Constitution united Constitution united the people…not the people…not the statesthe states

Webster and Webster and Calhoun became Calhoun became bitter opponents in bitter opponents in CongressCongress

Nullification CrisisNullification Crisis

Calhoun resigned from the office of Calhoun resigned from the office of the Vice President after getting little the Vice President after getting little support from President Andrew support from President Andrew Jackson. (Jackson replaced him with Jackson. (Jackson replaced him with Martin Van Buren)Martin Van Buren)

Calhoun then was elected to the Calhoun then was elected to the Senate for South Carolina. Senate for South Carolina.

Congress passed a lower tariff, but Congress passed a lower tariff, but South Carolina was still not satisfied. South Carolina was still not satisfied.

Nullification CrisisNullification Crisis South Carolina passed the Nullification Act South Carolina passed the Nullification Act

which stated that it had the right to reject which stated that it had the right to reject any law passed by Congress.any law passed by Congress.

South Carolina saw Nullification as a South Carolina saw Nullification as a States’ Rights issue. States’ Rights issue.

South Carolina declared the Tariff of 1828 South Carolina declared the Tariff of 1828 illegal and even threatened to secede if illegal and even threatened to secede if challengedchallenged

Andrew Jackson was furious and asked Andrew Jackson was furious and asked Congress to pass the force bill which Congress to pass the force bill which would allow him to use the military to would allow him to use the military to enforce the tariff in South Carolina.enforce the tariff in South Carolina.


Faced with Faced with Jackson’s firm Jackson’s firm stand, South stand, South Carolina backed Carolina backed down and repealed down and repealed the Nullification the Nullification Act.Act.


Henry Clay was now able to work Henry Clay was now able to work with John C. Calhoun to lower the with John C. Calhoun to lower the tariff on Southern States with the tariff on Southern States with the Compromise Tariff of 1833.Compromise Tariff of 1833.

Though the crisis passed, tension Though the crisis passed, tension between the North and South would between the North and South would continue to grow through the yearscontinue to grow through the years

Impact of Slavery on different Impact of Slavery on different Section of the United StatesSection of the United States

In the North, Slavery In the North, Slavery had been illegal had been illegal since the Revolutionsince the Revolution

In 1807, Congress In 1807, Congress banned the banned the importation of slaves importation of slaves into the United into the United States from Africa. States from Africa. Though, the practice Though, the practice of slavery was still of slavery was still legal in the South.legal in the South.


There were some abolitionist societies that wanted There were some abolitionist societies that wanted to get rid of slavery everywhere in the U.S. but to get rid of slavery everywhere in the U.S. but many were ambivalent to the plight of slavesmany were ambivalent to the plight of slaves

In the South, slaves were seen as property, not In the South, slaves were seen as property, not people and vital for the labor required to maintain people and vital for the labor required to maintain the cash cropsthe cash crops


The South saw the issue of slavery as The South saw the issue of slavery as a States’ Rights issue. a States’ Rights issue.

The South was becoming more and The South was becoming more and more economically dependent on more economically dependent on slavery and acted to silence criticism .slavery and acted to silence criticism .

The West was becoming involved due The West was becoming involved due to the extension of slavery into the to the extension of slavery into the new western territories. new western territories.

Supreme Court and States Supreme Court and States RightsRights

Two landmark Supreme Court decisions Two landmark Supreme Court decisions also dealt with the issue of States v. the also dealt with the issue of States v. the Federal GovernmentFederal Government


McCulloch v. Maryland McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) came to the U.S. (1819) came to the U.S. Supreme Court because Supreme Court because Maryland wanted to tax Maryland wanted to tax the National Bank’s the National Bank’s branch within its branch within its borders. borders. The Supreme The Supreme courts decision was that courts decision was that a state can not have a state can not have authority over a federal authority over a federal institution. institution. The Federal The Federal Governments authority Governments authority over State Governments over State Governments was upheldwas upheld


Gibbons v. Ogden came Gibbons v. Ogden came to the U.S. Supreme to the U.S. Supreme Court because Court because steamship operators steamship operators fought over shipping fought over shipping rights on the Hudson rights on the Hudson River in both New York River in both New York and New Jersey. and New Jersey. The The Supreme Court’s ruling Supreme Court’s ruling was that ONLY the was that ONLY the Federal Government Federal Government had the power to had the power to regulate interstate regulate interstate commerce.commerce. The Federal The Federal Governments power Governments power was reinforced was reinforced

Cherokee Resettlement Cherokee Resettlement

The Creek, Cherokee, Choctaw, The Creek, Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Seminole lived in peace Chickasaw, and Seminole lived in peace with the white Americans in the southeast.with the white Americans in the southeast.

Their land, however , was ideal for growing Their land, however , was ideal for growing cotton, and settlers wanted this land. cotton, and settlers wanted this land.

Jackson sided with the settlers and urged Jackson sided with the settlers and urged Congress to set aside new land for the Congress to set aside new land for the Native American tribes west of the Native American tribes west of the Mississippi River, and force them into that Mississippi River, and force them into that land. land.

Cherokee Resettlement Cherokee Resettlement

Cherokee ResettlementCherokee Resettlement

Few Native Few Native Americans wanted Americans wanted to moveto move

The Cherokee had The Cherokee had adopted many adopted many American customsAmerican customs

They decided to They decided to take their battle to take their battle to the courtsthe courts

Worcester v. GeorgiaWorcester v. Georgia Georgia claimed the Georgia claimed the

right to force out the right to force out the Cherokee.Cherokee.

The Cherokee The Cherokee pointed to the many pointed to the many federal treaties they federal treaties they had which had which superseded any superseded any state law. state law.

The case went all The case went all the way to the the way to the Supreme Court.Supreme Court.

Worcester v. GeorgiaWorcester v. Georgia

Chief Justice John Chief Justice John Marshall declared Marshall declared Georgia’s actions Georgia’s actions to be to be unconstitutional unconstitutional and stated that the and stated that the Native Americans Native Americans were protected by were protected by the federal treatiesthe federal treaties

Worcester v. GeorgiaWorcester v. Georgia Andrew Jackson refused to enforce the Andrew Jackson refused to enforce the

Supreme Court’s decisionSupreme Court’s decision and sided with and sided with Georgia claiming that the federal Georgia claiming that the federal government could not prevent Georgia from government could not prevent Georgia from taking Cherokee lands.taking Cherokee lands.

The Indian Removal Act of 1830 forced many The Indian Removal Act of 1830 forced many Native American tribes west of the Mississippi Native American tribes west of the Mississippi River. (Oklahoma)River. (Oklahoma)

In the Indian Removal Act, Congress was In the Indian Removal Act, Congress was trying to avoid conflict between cotton trying to avoid conflict between cotton farmers and Indians, but it also confiscated farmers and Indians, but it also confiscated Indian land for the purpose of cotton farming. Indian land for the purpose of cotton farming.

The Indian Removal Act was also intended to The Indian Removal Act was also intended to protect Indian government and culture.protect Indian government and culture.

Trail of TearsTrail of Tears In 1838, the U.S. army In 1838, the U.S. army

forced more than forced more than 15,000 Cherokees 15,000 Cherokees westward into westward into Oklahoma. Oklahoma.

Many perished on the Many perished on the march because of a march because of a lack of supplies. Most lack of supplies. Most were the elderly and were the elderly and childrenchildren

The Cherokees The Cherokees migration was a long migration was a long and sorrowful journey and sorrowful journey which became known which became known as “The Trail of Tears”as “The Trail of Tears”

Seminole WarsSeminole Wars

In Florida, the In Florida, the Seminole tribe Seminole tribe refused to go west refused to go west and fought back. and fought back. These became the These became the Seminole Wars, one Seminole Wars, one of the costliest wars of the costliest wars waged by the waged by the federal government federal government to obtain Indian to obtain Indian land. land.

Seminole WarsSeminole Wars

In the end, the Seminoles were defeated In the end, the Seminoles were defeated and they too were forced west. and they too were forced west.

Martin Van BurenMartin Van Buren

Andrew Jackson Andrew Jackson stepped down after stepped down after his second termhis second term

Martin Van Buren Martin Van Buren became the next became the next President of the President of the United StatesUnited States

Panic of 1837Panic of 1837

Martin Van Buren faced a terrible Martin Van Buren faced a terrible economic crisis, because the National economic crisis, because the National Bank had been closed.Bank had been closed.

The Panic of 1837 started because The Panic of 1837 started because western land was being sold to western land was being sold to speculators who bought up cheap speculators who bought up cheap land in the hope of selling it at a huge land in the hope of selling it at a huge profit.profit.

They were buying this land with They were buying this land with borrowed money from state banks. borrowed money from state banks.


The National Bank was no longer The National Bank was no longer there to regulate the amount of there to regulate the amount of money being loaned out. money being loaned out.

State banks began to just print up State banks began to just print up more money to meet the demand. more money to meet the demand.

Before leaving office, Jackson tried to Before leaving office, Jackson tried to slow down this splurge in loans by slow down this splurge in loans by issuing an order that land could only issuing an order that land could only be bought with gold or silver. be bought with gold or silver.


Speculators and everyone else then began Speculators and everyone else then began to try cashing in their paper currency for to try cashing in their paper currency for gold or silver.gold or silver.

The banks did not have the gold or silver The banks did not have the gold or silver to back up the paper money.to back up the paper money.

Many banks were forced to closeMany banks were forced to close The Panic worsened as cotton prices in the The Panic worsened as cotton prices in the

south plummeted. Cotton farmers now south plummeted. Cotton farmers now couldn’t repay loans and more banks couldn’t repay loans and more banks closed. closed.

Economic DepressionEconomic Depression

The nation plunged The nation plunged into an economic into an economic depression. depression.

A depression is a A depression is a period where period where business declines, business declines, unemployment unemployment rises, and the rises, and the economy struggles.economy struggles.

This depression This depression lasted 3 years lasted 3 years

Campaign of 1840Campaign of 1840

Martin Van Buren Martin Van Buren faced a battle when faced a battle when he ran for re-election.he ran for re-election.

The Whig Party had The Whig Party had chosen William Henry chosen William Henry Harrison to run Harrison to run against the against the Democrat.Democrat.

Harrison was popular Harrison was popular from the War of from the War of 1812.1812.

Campaign of 1840Campaign of 1840

The Whigs spread The Whigs spread word and word and propaganda all propaganda all over in their over in their attempt to unseat attempt to unseat the Democrats.the Democrats.

This became a This became a mudslinging mudslinging campaign.campaign.

William Henry HarrisonWilliam Henry Harrison

The Whigs were The Whigs were excited when Harrison excited when Harrison won the Presidency. won the Presidency. They planned to They planned to reinstate the National reinstate the National Bank, bring back Bank, bring back higher tariffs, improve higher tariffs, improve roads, etc.roads, etc.

They were devastated They were devastated when Harrison died of when Harrison died of pneumonia two weeks pneumonia two weeks laterlater

John TylerJohn Tyler John Tyler John Tyler

succeeded Harrison succeeded Harrison as Presidentas President

Tyler (an ex-Tyler (an ex-Democrat) vetoed Democrat) vetoed the National Bank the National Bank bill.bill.

In response, the In response, the Whigs threw Tyler Whigs threw Tyler out of the party, so out of the party, so he could not run for he could not run for re-election.re-election.

Documents

Instructional Focus Document Notes Grade 8/Social Studies UNIT: 07 TITLE: Age of Jackson Part 1: Jackson Democracy