THE ERA OF “GOOD FEELINGS” AND JACKSONIAN DEMOCRACY

1815 - 1840

Era of Good Feelings

1817 – 1825 James Monroe’s Presidency Title given by journalist observing

popularity of Monroe in New England Misleading title

Missouri Crisis

1819 – MO applied for statehood as a slave state

Disturbs balance of slave/free states (11 – 11)

Moves slavery farther north

The compromise worked out by House Speaker Henry Clay established a formula that avoided debate over whether new states would allow or prohibit slavery. In the process, it divided the United States into northern and southern regions.

Missouri Crisis

Proposal: gradually emancipate slaves in MO

Sectional lines are drawn in Congress N supports S oppose

Both sides accuse each other of leading country into civil war

Compromise drafted by Speaker of the House Henry Clay

The Missouri Compromise

1. MO enters Union as a slave state S happy

2. Maine enters as a free state Maintains balance

Mason – Dixon Line – dividing line that separates Union into free/slave; runs course of Ohio River

Missouri Compromise

3. In the future, slavery prohibited by Congress in the Louisiana Purchase territory north of 36°30’

Allowed for slavery South of 36°30’ line

Missouri Compromise

Many believed the South “won” the conflict

Land north of line deemed unsuitable for slave labor

Southerners agree that Congress could prohibit slavery in some American territories

Foreshadowed future conflicts between two regions

Foreign Affairs

John Quincy Adams – Monroe’s Secretary of State

Negotiated many agreements that impacted the US

John Q. Adams

1. Oregon Territory – American access to OR GB and US have claim to territory Joint occupation for minimum of 10 years Opened OR to US settlement

John Quincy Adams

2. Spain and control of Florida Conflict emerges after Andrew Jackson led

US forces into FL Protecting Americans from hostile Indians

crossing border Jackson occupied two Spanish forts Hangs two British citizens

Spain and Florida

Adams/Onis Treaty 1819 Adams argues that Spain can not control

residents in FL Spain ceded FL to US US renounced claims to TX Spain abandons claim to OR

Monroe Doctrine - Background 3. Monroe Doctrine Early 1800s Spanish colonies gain

independence Include modern day countries of Mexico,

Colombia, Peru Concern over whether or not other

European powers will move in to replace Spain

Monroe Doctrine - Background 2. Russia

Fur traders explored along Pacific Coast through OR Territory

AK a Russian Territory in early 1800s Russia establishes posts and US fears

Russian interference to US claim in OR

Monroe Doctrine - Background 3. GB proposed a joint resolution

Each would oppose European interference with newly independent nations

Renounce own interest in establishing new colonies in region

If US agrees, hurt US expansion and make Us subservient to GB (because US seen as junior partner in agreement)

Monroe Doctrine

Quincy Adams proposes US declaration of independence

1823 – Doctrine emerges from Monroe’s annual message to Congress

Monroe Doctrine

1. European powers cannot interfere with independent nations in the western hemisphere

2. US would not allow creation of new colonies in the Americas Aimed at protecting newly independent

nations and stopping Russian expansion 3. US pledges to stay out of European

affairs Greeks fighting against Turkish Empire

Significance

Foundation of US foreign policy US essentially tells Europe to stay out

Elections

Monroe serves 2 terms (easy victories) Election of 1824

Candidates describe themselves as members of the same party

Election of 1824 - Candidates Andrew Jackson (TN) – hero of the Battle

of New Orleans John Quincy Adams (MA) – Secretary of

State William Crawford (GA) – Secretary of the

Treasury Henry Clay (KY) – Speaker of the House

of Representatives

Election of 1824

131 Votes = Majority Needed All have support in their respective regions

Popular Vote ◊ Electoral Vote

Jackson 43.1% 99 Adams 30.5% 84 Crawford 13.1% 41 Clay 13.2% 37

Votes spread out because too many candidates

Who Wins?

No majority of electoral votes Constitution states House of Reps chooses

next President from top three finishers Comes down to Jackson v. Adams

Clay was fourth Crawford had a stroke

Clay couldn’t win but could influence decision as Speaker of the House

Corrupt Bargain

Clay and Adams in agreement on various issues

HoR select Adams Jackson and supporters angered because

Adams selects Clay as Sec. of State Looked as if a “corrupt bargain” took place

between the two

Corrupt Bargain

No evidence exists but the appearance still hurts Adams’ Presidency

Adams was a very experienced politician Diplomat, Senator, Sec. of State

Administration met with opposition on issues including proposals for internal improvement, Second Bank of the US, funding for the arts

Election of 1828

Following Adams win Jackson’s supporters began calling themselves “Democrats” Called for return to the ideals of T. Jefferson

Mud Slinging Adams accused of gambling for buying a

pool table; accused of promoting prostitution

Jackson accused of being an illiterate backwoodsman and his wife called an adulterer and bigamist

Election of 1828

Jackson wins End of the “Era of Good Feelings” Rise of Jackson seen as spread of

Democracy

Jackson and Democracy

Jackson advocates elimination of property qualifications to vote – widely accomplished by 1840

Inauguration attended by large numbers of people “Old Hickory” has popular support

Supported will of the American people to govern Voters should directly elect President and

Senators

Tariffs and Banks

Tariff of Abominations Congress passed a protective tariff in 1828

on imported items to encourage American manufacturers Unpopular in South

Raised cost of manufactured items Other nations established tariffs hurting American

exports

Tariff of Abominations

Anonymous author of “South Carolina Exposition and Protest” responds Calls Tariff unconstitutional Says states have to nullify Eventually revealed that author was John C.

Calhoun, Jackson’s VP

Arguments similar to political theories of Madison and Jefferson in VA and KY Resolutions What were the VA/KY Resolutions responding to?

Questions for Discussion

What was significant about the strong spirit of nationalism that appeared in America from 1815 to 1824? What were its accomplishments?

To what extent did the Missouri Compromise effectively deal with the sectional conflict over slavery? Or did it merely shove it out of view?

Nullification Crisis

Jackson was not a big supporter of high tariffs

But totally rejected idea of nullification Caused split between Jackson and VP

Calhoun Calhoun resigned

Compromise

1833- new tariff that gradually lowered tariff rates

Force Bill – allowed President the use of force to collect tariff revenue

Authored by Henry Clay (The Great Compromiser)

Bank Crisis

Jackson distrusted Bank of the US Believed its policies had influenced the

Panic of 1819 1832 – Congress passes a renewal of

Bank’s charter Jackson vetoed legislation

Unconstitutional Harmful to the nation because it only

served the wealthy members of society

Bank Crisis

Jackson defeats Henry Clay in the Election of 1832

Continues assault on Bank of US Jackson withdraws federal money from

Bank of the US and deposited funds into “pet banks” in the states

Short term impact – facilitates loans for farmers

Long term impact – lead to economic downturn in 1837; many state banks were unregulated at the time

1836 – Bank’s charter expired

Published in 1833, this political cartoon entitled "The Diplomatic Hercules [Andrew Jackson] Attacking the Political Hydra [The Second Bank of the United States]" illustrates why the Bank War enhanced rather than hurt Jackson at the polls. Many voters saw the bank as a monster that used its tentacles of complicated financial policy to choke common people while enriching the speculators and merchants who supported it.

Andrew Jackson, aided by Martin Van Buren (center), attacks the Bank of the United States, which, like the many-headed serpent Hydra of Greek mythology, keeps sprouting new heads. The largest head belongs to Nicholas Biddle, the bank’s president.

Jackson’s Opponents

Whigs – party opposed to Jackson Called Jackson “King Andrew I) Whig was name given to opponents of King

George III in Parliament Emergence of Democrats as well as the

second party system

Limits to Democracy

Jackson linked to ideals of democracy throughout presidency

1. Jackson was a slave holder By 1840, about 140 slaves living on

Jackson’s plantation (the Hermitage) in TN 2. Did not support equality for women

Against women’s suffrage 3. Indian Removal

Political Cartoon This cartoon, which depicts

Native Americans as children or dolls subject to father Andrew Jackson, was intended as a satire on Jackson’s policy of forcibly removing the Indians to reservations. The painting in the upper right corner pointedly depicts the goddess Liberty trampling a tyrant.

Andrew Jackson imposed the Treaty of Fort Jackson on the Creek nation, ending the campaign against the Red Sticks. The treaty required the Creeks to pay the costs of the war, which Jackson estimated as the equivalent of 20 million acres. In moving the Creeks out of what is now central Alabama, Jackson initiated the Indians' forced removal from the south. Ironically, of the thirty-five chiefs who made their mark on the treaty, part of which is shown here, only one was a member of the Creek nation.

Removal of Native Americans from the South, 1820–1840Over a twenty-year period, the federal government and southern states forced Native Americans to exchange their traditional homes for western land. Some tribal groups remained in the South, but most settled in the alien western environment.

Indian Removal

Natives seen as a barrier to American expansion and economic advancement

Jackson supports removal to “Great American Desert”

Cherokee

Cherokee told to assimilate into US society following American Revolution Adopted a written constitution Grew cotton Some owned slaves

Georgia tried to assert authority over Cherokee land after finding gold

Indian Removal

Marshall argues Cherokees should not be forced to move

Jackson ignores Supreme Court ruling and pushes for removal

Minor Cherokee leaders agree to give up land for money

1838 – Trail of Tears: forced removal 15,000- 18,000 ¼ die Move from GA to OK

Conclusion

Missouri Compromise and Monroe Doctrine important events in this era

Describe the accomplishments and limitations of Andrew Jackson’s Presidency. Overall, how would you evaluate his years in office?