RISE OF MASS DEMOCRACY

Chapter 13

Politics Of The People

By the 1820s democracy of all the people was no longer considered something to be feared.

People wanted to be more involved Asset to be seen as man of the people,

and not of the elite. Politicians had to find a way to appeal to

the common man

Jacksonian Democracy

Jacksonian Democracy--politics of the masses and for the masses.

Logical extension of Jeffersonian Democracy. Jefferson—people should be

governed as little as possible. Jackson—governing should be done

directly by the people. Jackson believed in small

government although believed in strong President.

Catalyst: universal white male suffrage.

Voting Requirements in the Early 1800s

Voting Requirements in the Early 1800s

Factors Leading To The New Democracy

Outgrowth of egalitarian republican ideals of the revolution

Growth of market economy Panic of 1819 Missouri Comprise of 1820 Consequences:

Voter turnout much higher Campaigning much more aggressive and overt Nominating conventions replaced Congressional

Caucus so that presidential candidates are selected more democratically

Election of 1824 Jackson is very popular war

hero and runs as candidate of the west and common man.

Has three opponents: John Quincy Adams--Monroe’s

Sec. of State. Candidate of Easterners and establishment.

Henry Clay -Also a westerner and natural regional rival of Jackson. But much different view of role of national government.

William Crawford--Southerner

Election of 1824

All four Democratic-Republicans But, clear factions Jackson: benefit common man; limited

national government. Clay and Adams: strong activist federal

government. Federalists-light

Calhoun VP on both Adams and Jackson tickets.

Electoral College Deadlock

Jackson wins the most popular votes (42%) and electoral votes, but does not get a majority of the electoral votes.

Thus, House must choose between the top three.

Clay finished fourth and is eliminated. Crawford has a stroke Thus, between Adams and Jackson

Corrupt Bargain?

Why does Clay have the power to influence the vote?

Why does Clay back Adams?

Adams wins the presidency; Clay becomes Sec. of State.

Jacksons’ supporters scream “corrupt bargain”

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“Corrupt “Corrupt Bargain?Bargain?

””

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“Corrupt “Corrupt Bargain?Bargain?

””

John Quincy Adams

Austere. Short, bald, stiff and frosty.

Loner. Very successful Sec. of State,

but was not well suited to the presidency.

How he won made things worse Was first minority President He refused to play the spoils

game; made supporters grumpy

Adams’ Unpopular Policies

Adams Nationalistic policies went against the tide of opinion.

Advocated national roads, canals, universities, observatories South objected. Why?

Tried to protect Indians in Georgia.

Going “Whole Hog” For Jackson In 1828

Jackson v. Adams, again. Democratic-Republican party splits into

two. National Republicans, led by Adams.

Policies?

Democratic-Republicans, led by Jackson. Become the Democrats.

Policies?

1828 Election Results1828 Election Results

•Nasty campaign full of mud-slinging.•Jackson wins 178-83 in the electoral college. Adams polls only 44%.•Jackson carries the South and West and the Eastern laborers. •Adams carries New England and the moneyed class.

Jackson InaugurationFirst Kegger in the White House?

Jacksonian Revolution

Election of 1828 one of most important in US history.

Marks a major change in American Politics.

Why was it a revolution?

The Center of Population in theCountry Moves WEST

The Center of Population in theCountry Moves WEST

The Advent Of “Old Hickory” Jackson

Jackson personified the new west. He was individualistic, rugged, versatile and a war hero.

Personal History Jackson’s Firsts:

First president from the west First to be nominated at a formal convention First President without a college education (except

Washington) First President who not part of the educated elite that

was at the heart of the revolution and the Constitution.

Jackson’s Philosophy

Suspicious of the federal government because it was remote from the people;

Believed in limited Fed. government (See Jefferson) Hostile to the active federal econ. role of American

System; National Bank Strong believer in the Union;

opposed nullification and those who did not believe that federal power was supreme. (See Hamilton)

Very strong president. Insisted on prompt and loyal support from his subordinates.

He was the great vetoer Vetoed more bills than predecessors combined.

The Spoils System

Jackson’s attitude toward bureaucracy and spoils system.

During Jackson’s 8 years only about 20% of civil servants were dismissed, but sets a bad precedent.

Problems with spoils system

Tariff of Abomination

New England and East like Tariffs. Reduces competition.

South and West hate tariffs. Economic concerns Political/Sectional concern

Jackson’s supporters try to put JQ Adams in political trap by pushing for a very high tariff.

Plan backfires, and tariff is passed. South is outraged at Adams, and calls it “Tariff of

Abomination”

South Carolina Exposition and Nullification

Calhoun secretly writes, “The South Carolina Exposition.”

What is his thesis?

“Nullies” In South Carolina Tariff of 1832 South Carolina votes to nullify the tariff.

Threatens to secede Jackson’s reaction. Jackson issues proclamation against

nullification and raises an army to march on SC

Things at a dangerous crisis point.

Nullification Crisis

Henry Clay is motivated to find a compromise.

Tariff Bill of 1833 As a face-saving device, Congress

passes the force bill. South Carolina happy for this out.

Why? SC repeals nullification.

Transplanting The Tribes

Trail of Tears

Transplanting the Tribes

Legal status of Indians

Attitudes of Americans toward Indians

Five Civilized tribes in South East

Jackson’s attitude toward Indians

Indian Removal Act Indian Removal Act (1830). “voluntary” removal of Indians from southeast to

reservations in Eastern Kansas and Oklahoma. Forced removal of over 100,000 Indians. Heaviest blow falls on the Five Civilized Tribes Theory behind the policy Trail of Tears Bureau of Indian Affairs -1836 Black Hawk Rebellion

Indian RemovalIndian RemovalIndian RemovalIndian Removal

The Bank As A Political Football Jackson and supporters hated

BUS. Some of Jackson’s allegations

were true. It was hostile to wildcat banks of

the west. It did foreclose on a number of

western farms. It was a mammoth and

monopolistic bank. It was to some extent autocratic

and tyrannical. It did greatly impact economy.

Analysis of BUS

Many good things about the Bank. Imposed restraint on wildcat

banks. It reduced bank failures It provided a national paper

currency It promoted economic

expansion. Allowed nations funds to be

effectively recycled back into the economy.

Clay’s Scheme

Clay used the Bank issue to try to hurt Jackson politically Clay’s Scheme? Why does it backfire?

Clay gets recharter bill passed. Jackson vetoes and issues a scathing veto

message Basis for veto Significance of veto

The Bank As A Political Football

Jackson’s veto is very popular with rural, South and West.

Increases Jackson’s popularity with his core constituency.

Antagonizes nationalists

BUS is now one prime issues in the election of 1832.

Election of 1832

Jackson (Dem.-Rep.) v. Clay (National Republicans)

First election with a third party. Anti-Masonic Party

First election with national nominating conventions

Clay seems to have a huge advantage. Why?

But, Jackson wins easily. Why?

1832 Election Results

1832 Election Results

Badgering Biddle’s Bank

Jackson believed he had a mandate to end the BUS when its charter expired in 1836.

Jackson decides to weaken it before issue of recharter comes up. Why?

Jackson’s Plan Pet Banks Biddle’s Response? Consequences?

Nicholas Biddle

The Birth Of The Whigs Whig Party emerges in 1834.

Cause? Clay and Calhoun. Democratic-Republicans now

“Democrats.” Primary common bond is

opposition to Jackson. Dubbed an Organized

incompatibility: Elements of Whig Party?

Election of 1836

In 1836 Whigs run several regional candidates. Why? What is their strategy?

Jackson hand-picks Van Buren as his successor and engineers his nomination.

Van Buren won only a narrow majority of the popular vote, but won electoral vote, 170-124.

Woes for Van Buren Skilled politician and very bright. Inherited lots of political problems.

Party peeved at Jackson rammed through his nomination

Inherits all Jackson’s enemies, but not Jackson’s support from common man.

Jackson’s economic policies (specie circular) caused economic downturn.

Problems with Canada and Texas.

Depression And Independent Treasury

Panic of 1837. Causes? Effects?

Whigs propose solutions involving government action, but Van Buren vetoes. Why?

Van Buren’s Plan: Independent Treasury Bill (Divorce Bill)

American Settlement in Texas

1823 Mexico grants a huge tract of land to Stephan Austin.

Mexico’s conditions on settlers

Why does Mexico open land to Americans?

Americans come, but largely ignore the two conditions.“Moses” Austin

American Settlement in Texas 1835, 30,000 Americans in

Texas. Davy Crockett, Sam Bowie and

Sam Houston. Tension between Mexico and

Texans Slavery issue Mexico’s policies to regain

control Santa Anna

Sam Houston.

First Governor of Texas; “Big

Drunk”

Texas Revolution Early 1836, Texas declares its

independence with Sam Houston as commander in chief.

Santa Anna attacks the Alamo Goliad Santa Anna defeated at San

Jacinto Santa Anna captured and

forced to sign treaty under duress. Rio Grande

Santa Anna quickly repudiated the treaty, but doesn’t have power to attack again.

Texas an International Derelict

Texas could not have won its Independence without US help. Unofficial help, but also very tangible. Both men and supplies.

This increased Mexico-US tensions.

Texas causes political tension in US. Why?

Texas an International Derelict

Texas wanted diplomatic recognition from US. Jackson was reluctant to recognize Texas as an

independent republic. Why?

On last day of office he does recognize Texas. Texans want to be part of the US and request

annexation. Why was annexation by US politically

complicated?

Election of 1840

Van Buren nominated by the Dems in 1840; no strong alternative.

Whigs passed over Clay and Webster and nom. William Henry Harrison. Why? John Tyler of Va. is his VP

Harrison platform vague. Why Whigs win

The Two Party System Emerges Two party system began to reemerge

under Jackson and fully reemerged in the election of 1840 with the Whigs.

Both parties were big-tent parties containing diverse elements

Were also diverse geographically, and their presence helped retard the development of purely sectional parties

Whigs v. Democrats Democrats: States rights federal restraint in social

and economic affairs Champion of individual

and working class. Distrusted privileged

class’ attempts to usurp government

Strong in South and West Opposed high tariffs as

benefiting eastern business at expense of farmer.

Whigs: (Majority) willing to use government

to realize their objectives argued against using

class differences to appeal to self interest of one class over another.

Believed in strong gov’t initiative such as the BUS, tariffs, internal improvements, public schools and moral reform, such as slavery.