RISE OF MASS DEMOCRACY Chapter 13
Dec 28, 2015
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?
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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.