What were the
democratic
trends
between 1800 to
1830?
•Population shift and West becomes
politically powerful
•Jackson appealed to the Common Man
because he was one.
1790
21 yrs. old, educated
and property owner…….
voting
Land easy to obtain,
property qualifications and
education dropped.
Why the growth in “Common Man”
democracy?
1. Western Expansion created a sense of national
pride and self-reliancy.
2. New western states granted universal manhood
suffrage, and older states followed suit.
3. Massive rallies, parades, demonstrations
created an “interest” in politics.
Voter Turnout: 1820 - 1860
26.9
57.4
55.4
57.8
80.2
78.9
72.7
69.6
78.9
81.2
Election of 1824
Pop.Vote
Elec.Vote
43%
38%
John Quincy Adams 31%
32%
Henry Clay
13%
14%
William Crawford
13%
16%
Andrew Jackson
NO ELECTORAL MAJORITY, as per
Constitution sent to House of
Representatives to decide.
WINNER:
John Quincy Adams
In hopes of finding support for his ideas
and perhaps securing a cabinet position,
Clay through his political support to Adams.
When Clay was later named Sec. of State,
charges of a “CORRUPT BARGAIN” were
made.
Henry Clay’s American System for
economic development
1. a tariff for the protection of industry
2. internal improvements under Federal
coordination
3. greater reliance on domestic financial resources
GOALS: Economic Growth and SelfSufficiency
Protective Tariffs
In order to protect American industry, a tax is
placed on all imported goods. Raises prices for
consumers, raises costs for foreign
manufacturers.
National Bank of the U.S.
FUNCTION:
1. Held the Federal Government’s money.
2. Made commercial loans to businesses.
3. Controlled state banks.
Adams attempts to push through the
American System, but serves a fairly
fruitless term knowing that Jackson
was coming to get him in ’28.
ELECTION OF 1828
Pop. Vote
Elec.vote
Jackson
56%
68%
Adams
44%
32%
New Democracy
JEFFERSONIAN DEMOCRACY
Republican Ideals-Yeoman Farmer-Small Government
JACKSONIAN DEMOCRACY
Governing should be done by the common man.
Government by the majority of people; instead of a
government governed by the upper class.
Nullification Crisis
Cause: Tariffs imposed in 1816, 1824, 1828, 1832. South
opposed these tariffs because they feared retaliatory tariffs
being placed on their goods by other nations.
John Calhoun’s response to the “Tariff of Abominations,” =
Prices of some goods increased by 1/3 or ½.
“The Union, next to our liberty, most dear.”
Response: South Carolina issues, “Doctrine of Nullification.”
saying any state can declare Federal laws unconstitutional,
and refuse to follow the policy.
Jackson threatens military action (Force Act) to collect the
taxes if necessary.
Result: South concedes, but secession is a legitimate threat
now.
Popular move for Jackson who is seen as a strong leader.
Indian Removal

Jackson’s Goal?


Expansion into the southwest for southern
planters
1830: Indian Removal Act

5 Civilized Tribes forced removal to areas west
of the Mississippi
Cherokee Nation v. GA (1831)


“domestic dependent nation”
Worcester v. GA (1832)
Cherokee law is sovereign and Georgia law
does not apply in Cherokee nation.
 Jackson: “John Marshall has made his
decision, now let him enforce it!”


FORCEFUL REMOVAL CONTINUES!!!
Internal Improvements:
Demand for expansive projects linking West to
East and South with RR’s, canals, roads, etc.
Jackson opposed to Federal funding of these
projects on Constitutional grounds.
States spend a lot of money on these
improvements:
1820s = $26 million
1830s = $108 million
Many go into debt, default on loans.
The Bank of the United States, although privately
owned, received federal deposits and attempted to
serve a public purpose by cushioning the ups and
downs of the national economy
• In 1832, an election
year, Henry Clay
decided to challenge
Jackson on the bank
issue by persuading a
majority in Congress to
pass a bank recharter
bill
• Jackson vetoed this bill
Jackson’s veto message affirms his commitment to
democratic principles saying the bank was
UNCONSTITUTIONAL, HARMFUL TO STATES RIGHTS,
and “DANGEROUS TO LIBERTIES OF THE PEOPLE.”
A triumphant
Jackson holds his
order to remove
government
deposits from the
bank as the bank
crumbles and a
host of demonic
characters scurry
from its ruins.
Effects of the Bank War
Government withdraws deposits.
Biddle responds by ordering repayment of all
commercial loans.
State banks offer widespread credit and loans.
Number of banks offering paper currency
increases.
Economy is sent reeling!!!
The Panic of 1837!
Accomplishments
– Enlarged the power of the presidency
• “The President is the direct
representative of the American people”
• Only responsible to the people, not
Congress
– Converted the veto into an effective
presidential power
• The veto would help presidents shape
legislation in Congress
Failures
– Growing social stratification
• Gap between rich and poor visibly
widened
– Jackson’s financial policies and lack
of a national bank helped lead to the
Panic of 1837, which was a serious
depression that lasted until 1843
WHIGS
DEMOCRATS
Formed from all opponents of Rural dwellers in South and
West, northern industrial
Jackson:
workers.
Merchants and businessmen from
North and Northwest. Southern 1. Believed in state’s rights and
Planters.
federal restrain in economic and
social affairs.
1. Strong national gov’t in
2. Liberty of the individual and
economic and social affairs.
were fiercely on guard against
2. Best and privileged run the govt.
the inroads of privilege into the
government.
3. Believed in ideas similar to
Clay’s American system.
3. Protected the common man….