Transforming the Political CultureThe Age of Jackson

The people are the government, administering it by their agents; they are the government, the sovereign power

Mischief springs from the power which the moneyed interest

derives from a paper currency which they are able to control,

from the multitude of corporations with exclusive privileges;

which are employed altogether for their benefit.

It is to be regretted

that the rich and

powerful too often

bend the acts of

government to their

own selfish

purposes.

Andrew JacksonUS House Rep. 1796-7US Senator: 1796-7; 1823-5Military Governor of FL 1821President 1829-1837

Champion of the “Common Man” or “King” Andrew?

What conditions and values

gave rise to the new political

culture called “the era of the

common man”?

Challenging the “better sort”Egalitarianism

Equality (of opportunity)*

Self-made man

End of disinterested politics

*at least for white men

Extending the Right to Vote

Not for free African Americans or Women

Popular ParticipationPublic Meetings

“Penny Press”

Public Entertainment

The Emergence of Political Parties

New breed of politicians look for broad support

Parties are good for the countryOrganized contentious interests negotiate

Harmony and stability produced

Martin Van Buren• New political order

based on party not family connections

• 1821 in NY; the Bucktails• Internal Party Loyalty

• Party newspaper• Legislative caucus• Patronage and the

spoils system

Election of 1824“The Corrupt Bargain”

The “Common Man’s” Candidate

Rachel JacksonRachel JacksonRachel JacksonRachel Jackson

Final Divorce DecreeFinal Divorce Decree

Jackson’s OpponentsJackson’s OpponentsJackson’s OpponentsJackson’s Opponents

Henry ClayHenry Clay[KY][KY]

•American SystemAmerican System•WestWest

John Quincy AdamsJohn Quincy Adams[MA][MA]

•American SystemAmerican System•New EnglandNew England

William CrawfordWilliam Crawford[GA][GA]

•Lower SouthLower South

John C. CalhounJohn C. Calhoun[SC][SC]

Election of 1824:The “Corrupt Bargain”

Candidate Popular VoteElectoral Vote

Andrew Jackson 43% 99

J.Q. Adams 31% 84

William Crawford

13% 41

Henry Clay 13% 37

Election goes to the House

John Q. Adams(1825-1829)

Promoted manufacturing (Northeast) and commercial farming (Midwest)

Sectional tensions over tariffs build support for a new party

Tariff of 1828 (Tariff of Abominations)Van Buren and Jacksonian allies conspireSoutherners in a rage

Adams called for fair negotiations w/ Creeks

Wanted diplomatic ties w/ new South American republics

Pillager of the South, ally to the savages, out

of touch with the people

AFTER ELECTION OF 1824

JACKSONIAN DEMOCRACYPolitical world changed during the New Democracy. Two new

political parties emerge

New parties

NATIONAL NATIONAL REPUBLICANSREPUBLICANS

1. Adams, Clay and Webster

2. strong national govt.

3. Favored the BUS, tariffs, internal improvements, industry, public schools and moral reforms such as prohibition of liquor and abolition of slavery.

4. Best/privileged run the govt.

DEMOCRATSDEMOCRATS1. Jackson and Calhoun2. Believed in state’s rights and

federal restraint in economic and social affairs.

3. Favored the liberty of the individual and were fiercely on guard against the inroads of privilege into the government.

4. Protected the common man.

The Election of 1828The Revolution of 1828

CaucusCaucus---small group of individuals who would choose a candidate

ConventionConvention---members from the political parties nominate a candidate.

Eliminated, “King Caucus”

Direct PrimaryDirect Primary---allow registered voters to participate in choosing a candidate

1790 to 18281790 to 1828

1828 to 1828 to 19001900

Current System Used

The “Democrats”• 1st modern campaign• “Equality among the

peoples”• Immigrants and artisans• Southerners appeased• Appealed to Mid-Atlantic

states by supporting a “judicious” tariff

• Hostility towards NAs• Focused on candidate;

corrupt bargain

One anti-Jackson newspaper declared,“General Jackson’s mother was a common prostitute, brought to this country by the British soldiers! She, afterwards married a mulatto man with whom she had several children, of which one was Andrew Jackson.”

•Accused him of hiring a servant girl for a visiting Russian ambassador…

•Accused of gambling in the White House.

•Intellectual, aristocrat

•Accused him of hiring a servant girl for a visiting Russian ambassador…

•Accused of gambling in the White House.

•Intellectual, aristocrat

•One of the worst elections in US History for its “mudslinging.”

•Jackson’s wife Rachel, died of a heart attack just before he became President…He blamed Adams and Clay

•One of the worst elections in US History for its “mudslinging.”

•Jackson’s wife Rachel, died of a heart attack just before he became President…He blamed Adams and Clay

Election of 1828A Dirty Affair

1828 Election Results1828 Election Results1828 Election Results1828 Election Results

The Election of 1824 The Election of 1828

•Election of 1824, 355,817 voted.

•Election 1828,

1,155,350 voted.

Inaugural

The New “The New “Jackson CoalitionJackson Coalition””The New “The New “Jackson CoalitionJackson Coalition””

3 The Planter Elite in the SouthThe Planter Elite in the South

3 People on the FrontierPeople on the Frontier

3 State Politicians – State Politicians – spoils spoils systemsystem

3 Immigrants in the cities.Immigrants in the cities.

3 City men w/ new wealthCity men w/ new wealth

Jackson’s Faith Jackson’s Faith in the in the “Common Man“Common Man””

Jackson’s Faith Jackson’s Faith in the in the “Common Man“Common Man””

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

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

3 Belief that the common man was Belief that the common man was capable of uncommon capable of uncommon achievements.achievements.

Rotation and the Spoils System

Public duties were “so plain and simple that men of intelligence” could do it.

“No one man has any more intrinsic right to official station than another.”

To the victor go the spoils

Party loyalty; protect against “property in office”

“Kitchen Cabinet”

What did Jacksonians do in office, and to what extent did they represent the values and aspirations of most Americans?

Indian Removal

The Cherokee Nation The Cherokee Nation After 1820After 1820

The Cherokee Nation The Cherokee Nation After 1820After 1820

Cherokee Indians• Adopted white culture• Owned slaves• Cherokee language• Charter based on

Constitution• Georgia legislature wanted

Cherokee land• Jackson removed federal

troops protecting Indians in GA, AL and MS

Indian RemovalIndian RemovalIndian RemovalIndian Removal3 JacksonJackson’’s Goal?s Goal?

3 1830 1830 Indian Removal ActIndian Removal Act

3 Cherokee Nation v. GACherokee Nation v. GA (1831)(1831) * * ““domestic dependent nationdomestic dependent nation””

3 Worcester v. GAWorcester v. GA (1832)(1832)

3 Jackson:Jackson: John Marshall has made hisJohn Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce decision, now let him enforce it! it!

Trail of Tears (1838)• 1838: only 2,000 of 17,000 Cherokee had moved• President Van Buren sends Gen. Winfield Scott• 14,000 march 1,200 miles• 3,000 die along the way

Black Hawk War of 1832

Sauk and Fox people from Illinois and Wisconsin Territory

Chief Black Hawk

Jackson sent troops

Jefferson Davis and Lincoln

Massacre at Bad Axe

Second Seminole War 1835-1842

In FL, runaway slaves and Seminoles

Half moved to the Indian Territory

Successful guerilla war and retained lands in FL

The Tariff and Nullification Issue

The “Peggy Eaton AffairThe “Peggy Eaton Affair””The “Peggy Eaton AffairThe “Peggy Eaton Affair””

1828 Tariff of Abominations

Southerners complaintsCotton sold in a world market, unprotected

Forced to buy manufactured goods in an American market protected by high tariffs

What really scared SouthernersGrowing fear of fed. interference w/ slavery

Britain to outlaw slavery in West Indies in 1833

Fluctuation of prices for staple crops

TheThe Webster-Hayne Webster-Hayne Debate (1830)Debate (1830)

TheThe Webster-Hayne Webster-Hayne Debate (1830)Debate (1830)

Sen. Daniel Sen. Daniel WebsterWebster

[MA][MA]

Sen. Robert Sen. Robert HayneHayne

[SC][SC]

South Carolina Reacts

1832: A new tariff

SC calls state convention

Ordinance of Nullification

Threatens to secede

The South Carolina Exposition and Protest

Jackson Responds

Ordinance was “unauthorized by its spirit…and destructive of the great object for which it was formed.”

“Disunion by armed force is treason.”

1833: Force Bill

Compromise Tariff of 1833

The Bank War

Jackson’s Use of Federal Jackson’s Use of Federal PowerPower

Jackson’s Use of Federal Jackson’s Use of Federal PowerPower

VETOVETO

1830 1830 Maysville RoadMaysville Road projectproject in KY [state of his in KY [state of his political rival, Henry political rival, Henry Clay] Clay]

The National Bank The National Bank DebateDebate

The National Bank The National Bank DebateDebate

NicholasNicholasBiddleBiddle

PresidentPresidentJacksonJackson

As to mere power, I have been for years in the daily exercise of more personal authority than any President habitually enjoys.

The Bank is trying to kill me but I will kill it.

Opposition to the 2Opposition to the 2ndnd B.U.S.B.U.S.

Opposition to the 2Opposition to the 2ndnd B.U.S.B.U.S.

“Soft”(paper) $“Soft”

(paper) $“Hard”

(specie) $“Hard”

(specie) $

3 state bankers feltstate bankers feltit restrained theirit restrained theirbanks from issuingbanks from issuingbank notes freely.bank notes freely.

3 supported rapid supported rapid economic growth economic growth & speculation.& speculation.

3 felt that coin was felt that coin was the only safethe only safecurrency.currency.

3 didndidn’’t like any bankt like any bankthat issued bankthat issued banknotes.notes.

3 suspicious of suspicious of expansion &expansion &speculation.speculation.

The Bank War

Clay and Webster push for renewal in 1832 (election year)

Political miscalculation

Jackson vetoesUnconstitutional (ignored Marshall’s McCulloch vs. Maryland

Election of 1832

Main Issue?

The Destruction of the Mother Bank

Changing Legal Doctrines

1837: Charles River Bridge v Warren Bridge

Creative destruction of ancient rights

Challenges Dartmouth College v Woodward

Did Jacksonians reflect what it meant to be an American? How did other groups of people interact with Jacksonians to create important new meanings of “Americannes”?

The Whigs (1834)

Supporters of the American System

Southern states’ righters miffed by Jackson’s stand on nullification

Larger northern industrialists and merchants

Evangelical Protestants

Seen as part of the “fat cats” until…

Anti-Masonic Party

1826: Kidnap and murder of William Morgan (whistleblower)

Masons secret and aristocratic

Whigs recruited Anti-Masons

TemperanceEquality of opportunityEvangelical morality

1834: Whigs win majority in House

WHIGSWHIGS1. Strong national govt.

2. Favored the BUS, protective tariffs, internal improvements, industry, public schools and moral reforms such as prohibition of liquor and abolition of slavery.

3. Best and privileged run the govt.

4. New Englanders and residents of mid-Atlantic and upper Middle-western states; middle class urban professionals

DEMOCRATSDEMOCRATS1. Believed in state’s rights and

federal restraint in economic and social affairs.

2. Liberty of the individual and were fiercely on guard against the inroads of privilege into the government. Pro-slavery

3. Protected the common man4. Southerners, westerners, small

farmers, urban workers

Election of 1836

Workingmen’s Parties

Urban artisans and workers

Problems?

Thomas Skidmore

Radicals siphoned off by social reformers

Demands?

Panic of 1837

“Wildcat Banks”

Specie Circular of 1836: Buy future land only with gold or silver

Credit pinched

Bank of England’s role

Cotton prices and drain of specie

States default

Labor unions undermined

“Van Ruin”

Criticism of Jackson

“the less govt interferes w/ private pursuits the better for the general prosperity”

Divorce BillIndependent Treasury

1840

Election of 1840

Democratic Nominee

Whig Candidates

Tippecanoe and Tyler Too!”

“Log Cabin & Cider” Campaign

• Whigs also welcomed women to campaign festivities

• Organized fundraisers through churches or benevolent societies

• Democrats likened politically minded females to “public” women

Log Cabin Campaign Pin

“His Accidency”

Former Democrat

Committed to states’ rights and slavery

Vetoed Whig bills dealing with American System

Allowed Democrats to regroup

DemocratizationWhite male suffrage increased

Party nominating committees

Voters chose their state’s slate of Presidential electors

Spoils system

Rise of third parties

Popular campaigning

Two-party system returnsDems-Reps Natl. Reps (1828) Whigs (1832) Republicans (1854)Democrats (1832)

Jackson’s Legacy

Political parties became acceptable

White men’s right to vote and inclusive political culture

Emerging American identity celebrating ambitious, entrepreneurial and individualistic activity

Diminish the American system

Put more control of institutions in state and local hands

Democratic Party became a big tent

Jackson’s Legacy

Increased the power of the presidency

Converted veto power into an effective presidential power

Shrank govt’s authority over peoples lives and paved the way for tremendous entrepreneurial activity

Jackson’s Failures

Growing social stratificationGap b/w rich and poor visibly widened

Working class organization rose to seek redress

Depression

Women’s role

African Americans

Native Americans

Whig’s Influence

Ambitions and fast-paced growth required checksControl, order, regulation and morality

Internal development

Protective tariffs

Moral and social control of the disadvantaged by the middle class

“The legitimate object of govt. is to do for the people what needs to be done, but which they can not, by individual effort, do at all, or do so well, for themselves.”

Photo of Andrew Jackson Photo of Andrew Jackson in 1844in 1844

Photo of Andrew Jackson Photo of Andrew Jackson in 1844in 1844

1767 - 18451767 - 1845