The Rise of a Mass Democracy

Chapter 13

EQ: What was significant about the election of

Andrew Jackson to the presidency? What were the

characteristics of his presidency?

The “Common Man’s”Presidential Candidate

Jackson’s Opponents in 1824

Henry Clay[KY]

John Quincy Adams[MA]

John C. Calhoun

[SC]

William H. Crawford[GA]

Results of the 1824 Election

A “Corrupt Bargain?”

Henry Clay helps Adams; gets Sec. of

State job

(Sec. of State job seen as pathway to

presidency)

Opposition to John Quincy AdamsSome believed he allowed too much political

control to be held by elites.Some objected to his support of national

economic development on constitutional grounds.

Adams believed a strong, active central government was necessary. Supports education and the building of roads and canals

A national university. An astronomical observatory. A naval academy.

Many Americans saw Adams’ vision of a mighty nation led by a strong president as a threat to individual liberties.

Land & Indian PoliciesJohn Quincy Adams:

His land policies gave westerners another reason to dislike him.

He attempted to curb speculation for public lands his opponent accused him of denying their individual rights and freedoms to expand westward!

He supported the land rights of Native Americans against white settlers. 1825 govt. officials negotiated a treaty with

a group of Creek Indians to cede their land rights to GA.

The Creek Indians appealed to Adams to renounce the treaty.

Congress sided with the governor of GA.

Tariff of 1828Signed by John Quincy Adams

Higher tariffs on imported raw materials [like wool & hemp].

Supported by Jacksonians to gain votes from farmers in NY, OH, KY.

The South alone was adamantly against it. As producers of the world’s cheapest cotton,

it did not need a protective tariff. They were negatively impacted American

textiles and iron goods [or the taxed English goods] were more expensive!

The Election of Jackson (1828)Before election of 1824

New political parties emergeNational Republicans

(Adams, Clay)Democratic Republicans

(Jacksonian Democrats)Jackson thumps Adams in 1828

Popular vote from 356,000 to 1.1 million

Most support from southJackson rewards his supporters

Spoils systemJackson supports limited

government

Jackson’s Faith in the “Common

Man”Intense distrust of Eastern“establishment,” monopolies, & special privilege.

His heart & soul was with the“plain folk.”

Belief that the common man was capable of uncommon achievements.

The Reign of “King Mob”

Andrew Jackson as President

The Nullification Crisis•South says Tariff of 1828 unjust; Congress passes Tariff of 1832 to lower tariffs but South is still unhappy• Columbia Convention (SC)• Voids tariff in SC; threatened to secede if

government attempts to collect duties by force (Jackson dispatches military)

•Henry Clay to the Rescue!• Compromise: Tariff of 1833 would lower tariff

over next 10 years•Congress passed the Force Bill: authorized president to use the army and navy if need be to collect federal tariff duties

Indian RemovalJackson’s Goal?1830 Indian Removal ActCherokee Nation v. GA (1831)

Worcester v. GA (1832)Jackson:

John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it!

The Cherokee Nation After 1820

Indian Removal: Congress passed 1830

The Bank WAR!!!

NicholasBiddle

[an arrogant aristocrat from Philadelphia]

PresidentJackson

The Bank & the 1832 Election

Jackson saw Biddle’s pushing forward a bill to renew the Bank’s charter earlier as an attempt to block his re-election!

Biddle & his associates preferred Clay. Jackson refused to sign the bill to re-

charter.The Bank is trying to destroy me,

but I will destroy it! Jackson drops Calhoun and runs with

Martin Van Buren. Jackson wins 1832 election

The “Monster” Is Destroyed!

1832 Jackson vetoed the extension of the 2nd National Bank of the United States.

-removed federal deposits, places them in “pet banks” (Pro-Jackson state banks)

1836 the charter expired.

The Downfall of “Mother Bank”

An 1832 Cartoon:

“KingAndrew”?

Positions on the Key Issues of 1832WHIGS

(National Republicans)

DEMOCRATS(Jacksonians)

• Less concerned about the widening gap between rich and poor.

• Opposed “liberal capitalism” because they believed it would lead to economic chaos.

• Strong national govt. to coordinate the expanding economy was critical.

• Opposes Indian removal.• Favored tariffs.• Supported a National

Bank.

• Felt the widening gap between rich and poor was alarming.

• Believed that bankers, merchants, and speculators were “non-producers” who used their govt. connections to line their own pockets.

• Govt. should have a hands-off approach to the economy to allow the little guy a chance to prosper.

• For Indian removal.• Oppose tariffs.• States’ rights.• Oppose federal support

for internal improvements.

• Opposed the National Bank.

1832 Election Results

The 1836 Election Results

Martin Van Buren

The Specie Circular (1836)Speculators created “wildcat

banks” that fueled the runaway inflation.

So, buy future federal land only with gold or silver. This move shocked the system.

Jackson’s goal to curb the land speculation.

Results of the Specie Circular$ Banknotes lost their value.$ Land sales plummeted.$ Credit not available.$ Businesses began to fail.$ Unemployment rose.$ Some pet banks go under with federal

$!!!

The Panic of 1837!

The Panic of 1837 Hits Everyone!

Independent Treasury Bill 1840: established an independent treasury and gov’t fund will be locked in vaults; repealed 1841, reestablished 1846 until Civil War

TEXAS!!!Mexico allows Stephen Austin to bring 300 families to

TexasCatholics only; no slaves; must MexicanizeBy 1835, 30,000 Americans

President of Mexico, Santa Anna, wanted to bring Texans in line- Austin locked up for 8 mths

1836 claimed independenceBattle of the Alamo: 400 Texans wiped out after 13 day

siege Jim Bowie and Davie Crockett

Treaty of 1836: Signed after Sam Houston captured Santa Anna in Battle of San JacintoRecognize Rio Grande as border, withdraw Mex. Troops

Problems for U.S. if admit Texas as a state!

Log Cabins and Hard Cider 1840William Henry Harrison wins election of 1840