Chapter #13: The Rise of a Mass Democracy – Big Picture Themes
1. Andrew Jackson felt he’d been robbed the presidency in 1824. This motivated the regular
folks to political action. He vowed to win for the people’s sake, and did so.
2. A conflict started to brew between the north and the south. The issue was the tariff (import
tax) and whether the south had the right to “nullify” or wipe it out. The trouble was worked
out, but it foreshadowed bigger trouble to come, over slavery.
3. Jackson distrusted banks—he thought they were tools for the rich to milk money off the
poor. He killed the National Bank and threw the whole banking system into chaos.
4. By the time William Henry Harrison ran for president in 1840, popular, mass politics had
grown into the circus-like monster that it’s known as today.
IDENTIFICATIONS:
American System
This was a proposal by Henry Clay which called for a protective tariff, a second Bank of the
United States, and domestic rebuilding (roads, canals, etc.) to help restore the economy.
Corrupt Bargain
This was the name made by angry Jacksonian Democrats given to a supposed deal between
John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay during the Election of 1824. When all 4 of the
presidential candidates had reached roughly the same amount of votes, Clay was dropped from
the race as he had the lowest. When another candidate dropped out, Clay gave his votes to
John Quincy Adams so he could win, since Clay hated Jackson. Clay was later made the
Secretary of State, a shoe-in for the Presidency. This led to to the Democrats questioning
whether or not Quincy Adams had given the position to Clay in return for the votes.
Tariff of Abominations
This was the first protective tariff, which was passed in 1828. Originally proposed by Jackson
to appease the rich, the tariff protected the Northern industries and damaged the South’s
economy.
Nullification
This is the idea where a State has the right to get rid of an unjust law passed by the
government. It was used by John C. Calhoun in “The South Carolina Exposition” in 1828, and
stood as a reason as to why the “Tariff of Abominations” was unconstitutional.
Force Bill
This enabled the military and navy to collect payment from Tariffs. South Carolina refused to
allow this and nullified the Force Bill, though it was never passed.
Five Civilized Tribes
These were a group of 5 Indian nations, the Cherokee, Creek, Seminole, Choctaw, and
Chickasaw. They mixed their own culture with that of the Americans. They were eventually
relocated after Jackson decided to expand West.
Trail of Tears
This was the forced relocation of the Southeastern Indians in 1838 by the United States in
order to make land for settlers. It was named this because the conditions were harsh and many
Natives died on the way to their new homes.
Nicholas Biddle
He was the president of the Second Bank of the United States, who clashed with Jackson over
the Bank itself.
Democrats vs. Whigs
The Democrats were the liberal Democratic-Republicans made by Thomas Jefferson, while
the conservative Whigs were a united front against “King Andrew I’s” regime.
South Carolina Exposition and Protest
This was a pamphlet made by John C. Calhoun, which condemned the “Tariff of
Abominations” and made use of the idea of nullification. It also included a push towards
secession from the Union that led the way to the Civil War.
Martin Van Buren
He was Jackson’s second Vice President and eventually the President himself. He was a first
generation American and had many misfortunes under his term.
Specie Circular
This was an 1836 Act made by Andrew Jackson which made payment on government land in
gold or silver, not paper money.
Hayne-Webster Debate
This was an 1830 debate between Senators Daniel Webster and Robert Y. Hayne over
protective tariffs.
The Alamo
This was a Battle in 1836 that involved the Mexican Army led by General Santa Anna
annihilating the American rebels stationed at the Alamo during the Texas Revolution. This
angered many Americans and increased recruits into the Texian Army, as well as motivation.
GUIDED READING QUESTIONS:
The "Corrupt Bargain” or 1824
Know: Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay, John Quincy Adams, King Caucus, Corrupt Bargain
1.
What was unusual about John Quincy Adams's victory in the presidential election of 1824?
When John Quincy Adams had won, Henry Clay, who had offered his support earlier, suddenly
became the new Secretary of State, a near-guarantee of becoming the next President. This turn of
events implied a sinister deal, or “corrupt bargain” by the Jacksonian Democrats, who were angered
at the defeat of Andrew Jackson. Although the supposed deal was not illegal, the fact that there was
opposition to it signified a changing of electoral attitudes.
A Yankee Misfit in the White House
Know: John Quincy Adams
2.
Was John Quincy Adams well suited to be president? Explain.
John Quincy Adams was a horrible choice for the Presidency. All of his views clashed with the
wants of the People and politicians of the day, such as his nationalism, which led to unpopular
reactions with his proposals, such as building roads and canals. His refusal to reward his supporters
also damaged his credibility as a leader and affected his presidency.
Going "Whole Hog" for Jackson in 1828
Know: Old Hickory, Mudslinging, Rachel Robards
3.
Describe the tone and tactics used in the 1828 election.
The Election of 1828 was a campaigning of exaggeration and mudslinging. Both parties of Adams
and Jackson created vicious caricatures of the other side, and they all made extreme positions
regarding their leader.
“Old Hickory” as President
Know: Inaugural Brawl, King Mob
4.
What was there about Andrew Jackson which made him a man of the people?
Andrew Jackson was born in the backwoods country, not a nice house in the North. He made his
own fortune and didn’t inherit any money. He also fought courageously in the War of 1812, which
produced important victories, and thus vast public approval; AKA, he was a war hero. He also
crusaded against government corruption and preference of the North over the West and South.
The Spoils System
Know: Spoils System, Rotation in Office
5.
Defend Andrew Jackson's use of the Spoils System.
Andrew Jackson saved his presidency in using the Spoils System. JQA earlier had demonstrated
that not rewarding your supporters created dissension among them, so another repeat would have
had dire consequences. Also, is it not right for the worker to be rewarded? These people supported
Jackson and regardless of intention, worked hard at it. Thus, they deserve a nice reward at the end.
Also, anyone can do a job, since a position can change its holders (it was also good for encouraging
a new generation of civil servants).
The Tricky “Tariff of Abominations”
Know: Tariff of Abominations (of 1828), Denmark Vesey
6.
What circumstances led to the passage of the Tariff of Abominations?
Jackson had to appease the rich merchants in the North, so he proposed the Tariff. Also, the
Northern industries were booming, so there was buzz going on about protecting them to procure
more profits.
"Nullies" in South Carolina
Know: Nullies, Henry Clay, Tariff of 1833, Force Bill
5. Describe the nullification crisis.
This was when South Carolina wanted to nullify the Tariff of Abominations, and later the Tariff of
1832. Nullifiers within the legislature of S. C. declared the Tariff “null and void” and threatened to
secede. Jackson then attempted to use an army to discipline the dissenters, but Henry Clay made the
Compromise of 1833, which ended the crisis by bringing a gradual lowering of the Tariff rates.
The Trail of Tears
Know:
Cherokees, Five Civilized Tribes, Indian Removal Act, Trail of Tears, Indian
Territory, The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Seminoles
8.
What was particularly unfair about the treatment of the Cherokee Tribe?
The Cherokee were forcibly moved from the Georgian home to Oklahoma on the Trail of Tears,
where as many as 4000 Indians died from disease and abuse, just because the Georgian
government wanted to expand West. They had even attempted to integrate themselves into
White society by adopting their clothes, customs, and government. And during the
Blackhawk War, they were treated horribly and crushed.
The Bank War
Know: Bank of the United States, Nicholas Biddle
9.
Do you agree or disagree with Nicholas Biddle’s nickname, “Czar Nicholas I?” Explain.
Yes, I do agree with the name of “Czar Nicholas I”. He was in control of an unusual amount of
power, since the BUS was not a federal organization, but a privately owned one.
"Old Hickory" Wallops Clay in 1832
Know: Anti-Masonic Party
10.
What two things were unique about the election of 1832?
During the Election of 1832, the Anti-Masons and platform campaigning were introduced. The
Anti-Masons were the first 3rd party in a long while and despised the Free Masons (Jackson
was one). Platform campaigning was the beginning of today’s debate standard between two
presidential candidates.
Burying Biddle’s Bank
Know: Mandate, Pet Banks, Specie Circular
11.
"Andrew Jackson's killing of the BUS forced him to issue the Specie Circular." Assess.
When Andre Jackson waged a financial war on the BUS by taking out government deposits and
distributing them among “Wildcat” banks, he eventually destroyed the BUS. With his victory,
Jackson also had to deal with the fact that Wildcat banks were not effective, since their paper money
was made worthless by inflation, and thus put an end to land speculation by requiring all
government land to be bought with hard money, AKA gold and silver.
The Birth of the Whigs
Know: Democrats, Whigs
12.
What is so alluring about being associated with “the common man?”
To be associated with the common man meant being associated with victory. The President was no
longer chosen by a group of rich delegates but by the able voters of America. And since there were
more everyday people than rich, appealing to the masses was key in a presidential campaign.
The Election of 1836
Know: Favorite Son, William Henry Harrison, Martin Van Buren
13.
Describe the development of the second party system from 1828-1836.
In 1828, there was a higher number of voters as campaigning took a controversial and widely
publicized turn. As time went on, the second party system grew, as voters began to support their
favored leader, and politicians supported their leaders greatly for rewards of offices, such as in the
case of Andrew Jackson, who used the Spoils System as a way of rewarding his supporters. In 1832,
interaction of the candidates with the people was expanded as function such as platforms came into
sight. By 1836, the President was dependent on the Masses, and sectionalism and party-loyalty
became integral parts of politics.
Big Woes for the "Little Magician"
Know: Martin Van Buren
14.
Why was Martin Van Buren unpopular?
Van Buren was unpopular chiefly because of the Panic of 1837, a large depression that happened
during his presidency. He was branded as a scapegoat for the event, and in addition, had to deal with
the economic crisis created by Jackson’s war on the BUS. Also, financial trouble in Europe, which
heavily affected the American economy, helped to discredit his presidency as well.
Depression Doldrums and the Independent Treasury
Know: Panic of 1837, Speculation, Divorce Bill, Independent Treasury
15.
What caused the Panic of 1837, and what was done by the president to try and end it?
The Panic of 1837 was caused chiefly by famine and land speculation, where cheap land was
bought and withheld from the market in hopes of increasing value. This led to increased bank loans,
as people began to invest too much into these lands, and when those lands’ values plummeted, so
did the investors’ profits, which led to them being unable to pay bank loans, which resulted in
smaller banks being unable to pay any quotas given by larger banks, such as the BUS. Overall this
created an economic disaster, and Van Buren attempted to end the crisis by proposing the Divorce
Bill, which would have separated government from banking.
Gone to Texas
Know: Stephen Austin, Davy Crockett
16.
What made Texas so appealing to Americans?
Texas was to the west, and the west was ripe for expansion; so, Americans wanted to take Texas
because they wanted land.
The Lone Star Rebellion
Know: Sam Houston, Santa Anna, Alamo, W. B. Travis, Goliad, Lone Star Republic, San Jacinto
17.
How did Texas, a part of Mexico settled by Americans, become independent of both?
Texas became independent through the Lone Star Rebellion, which set them apart from Mexico,
and then through the issue of slavery, where it was debated over whether Texas would be a slave or
free state, from America.
Makers of America: Mexican or Texan?
Know: Moses Austin, Stephen Austin, Anglos
18.
Did Texans ever really intend to become Mexican citizens, or did they feign allegiance to
get land?
The Texans feigned allegiance to Mexico to gain land. They did not like the Mexican government
nor its peoples (one particular group, the soldiers, they hated the most). Also, they constantly
ignored Mexican law and policy banning slavery, keeping their slaves anyway and brought up their
arms when slightly provoked.
The Log Cabins and Hard Cider of 1840
Know: Log Cabin, Hard Cider, "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too"
19.
What does the election of 1840 tell you about politics and voters in America at that time?
The Election of 1840 tells that politics and voters were both easily swayed by campaigners.
William Henry Harrison, Van Buren’s opponent, was painted as a common man, even though he
came from a rich family, and van Buren himself was portrayed as an aristocrat, even though he was
from a poor family. The people believed all of this, and Harrison’s supporters went as far as to make
a ridiculous campaign based on the “log-cabin and hard-cider” of Harrison’s image.
The Two-Party System
20.
Who were the Democrats and what did they believe? The Whigs?
The Democrats were the liberal Democratic-Republicans made by Thomas Jefferson, while the
conservative Whigs were a united front against “King Andrew I’s” regime. The Democrats
believed in state’s rights and less government involvement in social and economic functions. The
Whigs believed in nationalistic things, such as schools, roads and canals, a federal bank, and
moral reforms like prohibition of booze and slavery.