THE AGE OF JACKSON

Andrew Jackson’s election in 1828, brought in a new era of popular democracy

Andrew Jackson: Hero or Villain?

Born in 1767 in NC Orphaned at 13 – no formal

education Emotional, Arrogant and Passionate

- always ready to duel Defeated the Creeks at Horseshoe

Bend in 1814 & the British at New Orleans in 1815

Took Florida and Claimed it for the US in 1819

Loved by his soldiers who called him “Old Hickory”

Distrusted the rich and powerful

Andrew Jackson

John Quincy Adams

The Election of 1824: “The Corrupt Bargain”

Jackson ran in a 4-way race for Pres in 1824 (all the same party!)

Even though Jackson won the popular vote, he didn’t receive a majority of electoral votes.

Henry Clay gives his support to JQ Adams and the House of Reps chooses Adams as President

Adams names Clay Sec. of State 2 weeks later….hmmmm

AJ is furious: The Corrupt Bargain AJ Publicly supports changes in

state laws about who can vote

Andrew Jackson

John Quincy Adams

Result: 3 times as many people vote & Andrew Jackson wins

ELECTION OF ANDREW JACKSON

Jackson, hero of the common man, won election in 1828 in part because the right to vote had been expanded to more citizens

In the 1824 election, won by John Quincy Adams, 350,000 white males voted

In 1828, over 1,000,000 white males voted in the nastiest campaign ever.

Many of the new voters supported Jackson who also won re-election in 1832

JACKSONIAN DEMOCRACY

As part of his political philosophy, Jackson sought to grant political power to the common people: Age of the Common Man

Jackson rewarded his own supporters with government jobs. This is called The Spoils System.

Jackson gave away many jobs to his friends and political allies and fired the rich and powerful elites.

“The age of the common man” was characterized by

heightened emphasis on equality in the political process for adult white males (rich white guys)

the rise of interest group politics and sectional issues a changing style of campaigning – political parties

tried to appeal to “folks” (free food, ads, campaigns) increased voter participation.

Politics started to look like what we know today. Do you think these changes were good or bad for the nation?

INDIAN REMOVAL ACT - 1830

Jackson’s Native American Policy– Indian Removal Act of 1830 – Forced resettlement of Native

Americans (Cherokee and others) from their homes in the SE to Oklahoma and lands west of the Mississippi River

– Bureau of Indian Affairs created to oversee resettlement– Many forced onto reservations

The Cherokee claimed the relocation was wrong and it went to the supreme court. Marshall ruled in favor of the Cherokee Tribe.

Jackson’s response– “Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it”

INDIAN REMOVAL - 1830

Forced relocation of the Cherokee tribe. Before the journey was over ¼ of the tribe perished.– Reflected Jackson’s personal apathy toward Native

Americans (he didn’t care)

TARIFF OF “ABOMINATION”

In 1824 and again in 1828, Congress increased the Import Tariff

Southerners called the 1828 Tariff, “a Tariff of Abominations,” and blamed it for economic problems in the South

THE NORTH

THE SOUTH

TARIFFS

NULLIFICATION THREAT

In an attempt to avoid paying the tariff, John Calhoun (Jackson’s Vice Pres from S.C.), developed the Theory of Nullification

South Carolinians argued that states could nullify the Tariff of 1832 and other acts of Congress if they found them to be unconstitutional. Nullification would make the law void within the state.

Jackson threatened to send federal troops to SC

Haven’t we heard this before?

JACKSON’S BANK WAR

Jackson opposed the National Bank – run by the rich and powerful.

He vetoed its charter and withdrew all the federal $$. He created Pet Banks run by Dems and his friends

Many felt Jackson was acting more like a King than a president

His opponents formed a new party – the Whigs

Pet Banks led to depression

Jackson’s Legacy: Hero or Villain?

The GOOD More democratic involvement in GovernmentLooked out for the interests of the common manStrong Executive PowerMassive Voter TurnoutSparked Re-Creation of 2 Party System

The BAD The Spoils SystemBanking Policy causes a DepressionIgnores the Supreme CourtGreater Sectionalism –Result of Split with States’ Rights (SC)

The UGLY Native American PolicyTrail of TearsStrong Slavery supporter