THE ERA OF “GOOD FEELINGS” AND JACKSONIAN DEMOCRACY 1815 - 1840
Feb 15, 2016
THE ERA OF “GOOD FEELINGS” AND JACKSONIAN DEMOCRACY1815 - 1840
Era of Good Feelings 1817 – 1825 James Monroe’s Presidency Title given by journalist observing
popularity of Monroe in New England Misleading title
Missouri Crisis 1819 – MO applied for statehood as a
slave state Disturbs balance of slave/free states (11
– 11) Moves slavery farther north
The compromise worked out by House Speaker Henry Clay established a formula that avoided debate over whether new states would allow or prohibit slavery. In the process, it divided the United States into northern and southern regions.
Missouri Crisis Proposal: gradually emancipate slaves in
MO Sectional lines are drawn in Congress
N supports S oppose
Both sides accuse each other of leading country into civil war
Compromise drafted by Speaker of the House Henry Clay
The Missouri Compromise 1. MO enters Union as a slave state
S happy 2. Maine enters as a free state
Maintains balance
Mason – Dixon Line – dividing line that separates Union into free/slave; runs course of Ohio River
Missouri Compromise 3. In the future, slavery prohibited by
Congress in the Louisiana Purchase territory north of 36°30’
Allowed for slavery South of 36°30’ line
Missouri Compromise Many believed the South “won” the
conflict Land north of line deemed unsuitable for
slave labor Southerners agree that Congress could
prohibit slavery in some American territories
Foreshadowed future conflicts between two regions
Foreign Affairs John Quincy
Adams – Monroe’s Secretary of State
Negotiated many agreements that impacted the US
John Q. Adams 1. Oregon Territory – American access to
OR GB and US have claim to territory Joint occupation for minimum of 10 years Opened OR to US settlement
John Quincy Adams 2. Spain and control of Florida
Conflict emerges after Andrew Jackson led US forces into FL
Protecting Americans from hostile Indians crossing border
Jackson occupied two Spanish forts Hangs two British citizens
Spain and Florida Adams/Onis Treaty
1819 Adams argues that Spain can not control
residents in FL Spain ceded FL to US US renounced claims to TX Spain abandons claim to OR
Monroe Doctrine - Background 3. Monroe Doctrine Early 1800s Spanish colonies gain
independence Include modern day countries of Mexico,
Colombia, Peru Concern over whether or not other
European powers will move in to replace Spain
Monroe Doctrine - Background 2. Russia
Fur traders explored along Pacific Coast through OR Territory
AK a Russian Territory in early 1800s Russia establishes posts and US fears
Russian interference to US claim in OR
Monroe Doctrine - Background 3. GB proposed a joint resolution
Each would oppose European interference with newly independent nations
Renounce own interest in establishing new colonies in region
If US agrees, hurt US expansion and make Us subservient to GB (because US seen as junior partner in agreement)
Monroe Doctrine Quincy Adams proposes US declaration
of independence 1823 – Doctrine emerges from Monroe’s
annual message to Congress
Monroe Doctrine 1. European powers cannot interfere with
independent nations in the western hemisphere
2. US would not allow creation of new colonies in the Americas Aimed at protecting newly independent
nations and stopping Russian expansion 3. US pledges to stay out of European
affairs Greeks fighting against Turkish Empire
Significance Foundation of US foreign policy US essentially tells Europe to stay out
Elections Monroe serves 2 terms (easy victories) Election of 1824
Candidates describe themselves as members of the same party
Election of 1824 - Candidates Andrew Jackson (TN) – hero of the Battle
of New Orleans John Quincy Adams (MA) – Secretary of
State William Crawford (GA) – Secretary of the
Treasury Henry Clay (KY) – Speaker of the House
of Representatives
Election of 1824 131 Votes = Majority Needed All have support in their respective regions
Popular Vote ◊ Electoral Vote Jackson 43.1% 99 Adams 30.5% 84 Crawford 13.1% 41 Clay 13.2% 37
Votes spread out because too many candidates
Who Wins? No majority of electoral votes
Constitution states House of Reps chooses next President from top three finishers
Comes down to Jackson v. Adams Clay was fourth Crawford had a stroke
Clay couldn’t win but could influence decision as Speaker of the House
Corrupt Bargain Clay and Adams in agreement on various
issues HoR select Adams Jackson and supporters angered because
Adams selects Clay as Sec. of State Looked as if a “corrupt bargain” took place
between the two
Corrupt Bargain No evidence exists but the appearance
still hurts Adams’ Presidency Adams was a very experienced politician
Diplomat, Senator, Sec. of State Administration met with opposition on
issues including proposals for internal improvement, Second Bank of the US, funding for the arts
Election of 1828 Following Adams win Jackson’s
supporters began calling themselves “Democrats” Called for return to the ideals of T. Jefferson
Mud Slinging Adams accused of gambling for buying a
pool table; accused of promoting prostitution
Jackson accused of being an illiterate backwoodsman and his wife called an adulterer and bigamist
Election of 1828 Jackson wins End of the “Era of Good Feelings” Rise of Jackson seen as spread of
Democracy
Jackson and Democracy Jackson advocates elimination of property
qualifications to vote – widely accomplished by 1840
Inauguration attended by large numbers of people “Old Hickory” has popular support
Supported will of the American people to govern Voters should directly elect President and
Senators
Tariffs and Banks Tariff of Abominations
Congress passed a protective tariff in 1828 on imported items to encourage American manufacturers Unpopular in South
Raised cost of manufactured items Other nations established tariffs hurting American
exports
Tariff of Abominations Anonymous author of “South Carolina
Exposition and Protest” responds Calls Tariff unconstitutional Says states have to nullify Eventually revealed that author was John C.
Calhoun, Jackson’s VP
Arguments similar to political theories of Madison and Jefferson in VA and KY Resolutions What were the VA/KY Resolutions responding to?
Questions for Discussion What was significant about the strong
spirit of nationalism that appeared in America from 1815 to 1824? What were its accomplishments?
To what extent did the Missouri Compromise effectively deal with the sectional conflict over slavery? Or did it merely shove it out of view?
Nullification Crisis Jackson was not a big supporter of high
tariffs But totally rejected idea of nullification
Caused split between Jackson and VP Calhoun
Calhoun resigned
Compromise 1833- new tariff that gradually lowered
tariff rates Force Bill – allowed President the use of
force to collect tariff revenue Authored by Henry Clay (The Great
Compromiser)
Bank Crisis Jackson distrusted Bank of the US Believed its policies had influenced the
Panic of 1819 1832 – Congress passes a renewal of
Bank’s charter Jackson vetoed legislation
Unconstitutional Harmful to the nation because it only
served the wealthy members of society
Bank Crisis Jackson defeats Henry Clay in the
Election of 1832 Continues assault on Bank of US
Jackson withdraws federal money from Bank of the US and deposited funds into “pet banks” in the states
Short term impact – facilitates loans for farmers
Long term impact – lead to economic downturn in 1837; many state banks were unregulated at the time
1836 – Bank’s charter expired
Published in 1833, this political cartoon entitled "The Diplomatic Hercules [Andrew Jackson] Attacking the Political Hydra [The Second Bank of the United States]" illustrates why the Bank War enhanced rather than hurt Jackson at the polls. Many voters saw the bank as a monster that used its tentacles of complicated financial policy to choke common people while enriching the speculators and merchants who supported it.
Andrew Jackson, aided by Martin Van Buren (center), attacks the Bank of the United States, which, like the many-headed serpent Hydra of Greek mythology, keeps sprouting new heads. The largest head belongs to Nicholas Biddle, the bank’s president.
Jackson’s Opponents Whigs – party opposed to Jackson
Called Jackson “King Andrew I) Whig was name given to opponents of King
George III in Parliament Emergence of Democrats as well as the
second party system
Limits to Democracy Jackson linked to ideals of democracy
throughout presidency 1. Jackson was a slave holder
By 1840, about 140 slaves living on Jackson’s plantation (the Hermitage) in TN
2. Did not support equality for women Against women’s suffrage
3. Indian Removal
Political Cartoon This cartoon, which depicts
Native Americans as children or dolls subject to father Andrew Jackson, was intended as a satire on Jackson’s policy of forcibly removing the Indians to reservations. The painting in the upper right corner pointedly depicts the goddess Liberty trampling a tyrant.
Andrew Jackson imposed the Treaty of Fort Jackson on the Creek nation, ending the campaign against the Red Sticks. The treaty required the Creeks to pay the costs of the war, which Jackson estimated as the equivalent of 20 million acres. In moving the Creeks out of what is now central Alabama, Jackson initiated the Indians' forced removal from the south. Ironically, of the thirty-five chiefs who made their mark on the treaty, part of which is shown here, only one was a member of the Creek nation.
Removal of Native Americans from the South, 1820–1840Over a twenty-year period, the federal government and southern states forced Native Americans to exchange their traditional homes for western land. Some tribal groups remained in the South, but most settled in the alien western environment.
Indian Removal Natives seen as a barrier to American
expansion and economic advancement Jackson supports removal to “Great
American Desert”
Cherokee Cherokee told to assimilate into US
society following American Revolution Adopted a written constitution Grew cotton Some owned slaves
Georgia tried to assert authority over Cherokee land after finding gold
Indian Removal Marshall argues Cherokees should not be
forced to move Jackson ignores Supreme Court ruling and
pushes for removal Minor Cherokee leaders agree to give up
land for money 1838 – Trail of Tears: forced removal
15,000- 18,000 ¼ die Move from GA to OK
Conclusion Missouri Compromise and Monroe
Doctrine important events in this era
Describe the accomplishments and limitations of Andrew Jackson’s Presidency. Overall, how would you evaluate his years in office?