Chapter 10: A Democratic Revolution: 1800—1844
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How did debates over federal power, states rights, and the
authority of different branches of the federal government change
the nation’s democratic ideals and reform its institutions?
How did government policy shaped by interest in expanding trade
and national borders give rise to debates and compromises over the
extension of slavery?
President Andrew
Jackson
“King”Andrew?
What is the American
Democratic Revolution?
• What are the characteristics of
this revolution?
• How are things changing?
• What are the effects of this
revolution on the U.S.
Voting Requirements
in the Early 19c
Voter Turnout:1820 - 1860
Why Increased Democratization?
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White male suffrage increased – new states
introduce universal male suffrage.
Party nominating committees. Begun by a third
party.
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Voters chose their state’s Presidential electors.
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Spoils system.
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Rise of Third Parties.
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Popular campaigning (parades, rallies, floats, etc.)
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Two-party system returned in the 1832 election:
• Dem-Reps  Natl. Reps.(1828)  Whigs
(1832)  Republicans (1854)
• Democrats (1828)
1828 Election
Results
The New “Jackson Coalition”
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The Planter Elite in the
South
People on the Frontier
State Politicians – spoils
system “Turn the rascals out, put our rascals
in.”
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Immigrants in the cities.
Jackson’s Faith
in the “Common Man”
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Intense distrust of Eastern
“establishment,” monopolies, &
special privilege. Notables
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His heart & soul was with the
“plain folk.”
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Belief that the common man was
capable of uncommon
achievements.
The Reign of “King Mob”
The Inaugural Brawl!
Andrew Jackson as
President
1832 Tariff Conflict
•
1828 “Tariff of Abomination”
reenactment signed in 1832
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South Carolina’s reaction? – Nullification
(The South Carolina Exposition and
Protest, by V.P. Calhoun)
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Jackson’s response? Military Force Bill
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Clay’s “Compromise” Tariff? Gradual
reduction (1832-42)
“The Nullies” v Jackson
• John C Calhoun (VP Under Adams and Jackson) wrote South
Carolina Exposition (1828)
– “Concurrent Majority” – a federal law that is harmful to
states can be declared null and void via a convention of
the people.
• Jackson’s Response – Threatened military force and
“Force Bill”
What steps were taken to avoid a
military conflict?
Jackson and The Native Americans
• 1828 The Cherokee Tribes of Georgia wrote and adopted a constitution with
3 branch government.
– Georgia declared the Cherokee Assembly illegal (SC ruled in favor of
Indians)
• – state has no authority in tribal legislation
• Worcester v Georgia –state has no authority in tribal legislation
Jackson’s Response:
– “John Marshall had made his decision, now let him enforce it.”
• How does this quote from Jackson show his
increasing strength as President?
The Cherokee Nation After
1820
Indian Removal
Trail of Tears (18381839)
Indian Removal Act of 1830
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100,000 Indians moved from east of Mississippi
1832 – Black Hawk War
1835-42 Osceola and Florida Seminoles
1838-39 “Trail of Tears” 14,000 Cherokees, 116 days –
3,000 deaths (25%)
– 100 million acres given up
– $68 million paid out, 32 million acres in West
Jackson’s Professed “Love”
for
Native Americans
Jacksonians on States’ Rights
• Charles River Bridge v. Warren Bridge (1837)
– States, not federal government, had power to enter into contracts
regarding infrastructure, transportation.
• Maysville Road Veto - I am not able to view [the Maysville Road Bill] in
any other light than as a measure of purely local character.... It has no
connection with any established system of improvements; [and] is
exclusively within the limits of a State [Kentucky]....
Jackson’s Use of Federal
Power
VETO
1830  Maysville Road project
in KY [state of his
political rival, Henry
Clay]
The National Bank
Debate
Nicholas
Biddle
President
Jackson
“The Hydra of Corruption” – The Bank Wars
• Nicholas Biddle – President of Bank of US
– Functions – print stable currency, keep federal money, control gold
and silver, source of credit
• 1832 – Clay and Webster wanted to use the renewal of the charter to
embarrass the President – if he passed the charter he would anger his
followers, if he vetoed it the wealthy would be upset.
– How did the veto increase the power of President?
The Downfall of “Mother
Bank”
Hydra of Corruption
An 1832
Cartoon:
“King
Andrew”?
1832 Election
Results
Main
Issue?
The Specie Circular (1836)
•
“wildcat banks.”
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buy future federal
land only with gold or
silver.
•
Jackson’s goal?
Results of the Specie Circular
$ Banknotes lose their value.
$ Land sales plummeted.
$ Credit not available.
$ Businesses began to fail.
$ Unemployment rose.
The Panic of 1837!
The Panic of 1837 Spreads
Quickly!
Andrew Jackson in Retirement
Photo of Andrew Jackson in
1844
(one year before his death)
1767 - 1845
“The Era of the Common Man”
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Social mixture
Universal Male Suffrage
Popular Campaigning
Increased Power of President (through veto)
Kitchen Cabinet
Roger Taney in Supreme Court