Jacksonian Democracy – Ch. 13 of The American Pageant, “The Rise of Mass Democracy,” pp. 256-267
Overall main idea: After the “corrupt bargain” and new campaigns for the common masses, Andrew
Jackson’s presidency was known for conflict over tariffs, states’ rights and Indian removal.
Politics changed after 1824 as more people voted, stronger political parties and campaigns were formed, and the U.S.
was divided over the economy and slavery.
The “Corrupt Bargain” of 1824
Main idea: John Quincy Adams was elected President by the House of Representatives by what Andrew Jackson’s supporters
called a “corrupt bargain” with Henry Clay.
Election of 1824: John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay and William Crawford – all proclaimed
themselves to be Republicans
Jackson had received the most popular and electoral votes, but did not receive a majority of electoral votes necessary
to win election; therefore the House of Representatives (according to the 12 th Amendment) had to choose the winner from the
top three vote-getters
Henry Clay was Speaker of the House and very influential; he put his support with Adams over Jackson, who he
disliked as a reckless “military chieftain”; also Clay and Adams agreed on the American System of economic nationalism
In 1825, the House finally met and elected Adams to be president; Clay was made the new Secretary of State, which
was often the front-runner to become next President
“The Corrupt Bargain” – Jackson supporters claimed that Clay and Adams made a secret bargain to keep Jackson
from becoming president; Adams would become President this time and make Clay the Sec. of State, which would help him
win the presidency next time
Yet there is no evidence to prove there actually was a corrupt bargain; but Americans were angered over the results
A Yankee Misfit in the White House
Main idea: John Quincy Adams was disliked and unsuccessful as president due to his personality, his refusal to compromise
and his seemingly outdated nationalistic ideas.
John Quincy Adams – 7th president, anti-social, tactless and disliked like his father; great experience and successful as
a Secretary of State, though; respected but not popular, which was more difficult in the new age of politics
Adams was a nationalist when nationalism was fading out for sectionalism; he was disliked especially by the more
common westerners and southerners; he seemed like an outdated aristocrat of the Revolutionary days
Going “Whole Hog” for Jackson in 1828
Main idea: The presidential campaign of 1828 was a bitter one that resulted in Andrew Jackson’s election.
The Republican Party split into Nationalist Republicans (Adams) and Democratic-Republicans (Jackson), later to be
known just as “Democrats”
Andrew Jackson’s campaign: “All hail Old Hickory,” for the old hero as tough and stubborn as a hickory tree; he was
presented as a common frontiersman, although he was an aristocratic planter with many slaves; Jackson supporters called
Adams corrupt, a gambler, and an aristocrat out of touch with the people
John Quincy Adams’s campaign: compared Adams to a steadfast oak who did not waver; called Jackson’s mother a
prostitute and his wife an adulterer (she married Jackson without getting an official divorce from her first husband); they
denounced Jackson as a murderer and dueler
Jackson easily won the election, sweeping the relatively new western and southern states that were still growing;
Adams won mostly in New England
“Old Hickory” as President
Main idea: Andrew Jackson was a frontier aristocrat with a rough background and was considered the first President to
represent the common masses.
Jackson was tall and skinny and rough looking; he had been involved in duels and fights often; he had little education
and no college education; he was born in the Carolinas and moved west to Tennessee, where he became a judge and
Congressman; he was very passionate and quick-tempered
Jackson’s inauguration was seen as a victory for the common masses; they traveled to D.C. from miles away to see
their hero; they surged into the White House, allegedly wrecking china and furniture before there was word of alcohol out on
the lawns
It appeared that “mobocracy” had again take power and many Americans were afraid of problems like in the French
Revolution
The Spoils System
Main idea: Jackson’s presidency introduced the spoils system on a large national scale, leading people to turn loyally to their
party over other factors.
The Spoils System – the system of rewarding loyal party supporters with political offices; it had been done on a small
scale before, but Jackson used it on a large scale; he claimed that the average person was just as capable of being in office as
the aristocrats and the educated elite
Some new office holders were completely unqualified or even crooks, stealing governmental money for little work;
others were good replacements for aging, outdated and inefficient officials
The spoils system led to more party loyalty; people were more likely to stick to their party if there might be a job
waiting for them in victory
The Tricky “Tariff of Abominations”
Main idea: Congressional Jacksonians passed the “Tariff of Abominations” that Southerners angrily denounced as
discriminatory and intrusive on states’ rights.
Tariffs protected American manufacturing from cheaper foreign goods, thus causing Americans to buy American
goods, but also raised prices and stifled international trade
New England and the Middle states supported higher tariffs to protect their growing manufacturing businesses
Congressional Jacksonian Democrats pushed for a high tariff in 1828, expecting it to be defeated in Congress and
make Adams look bad to NE and the Middle states, but it actually passed, making the Democrats look bad to Southerners
“Tariff of Abominations,” 1828 – highest tariff in US history to that point; angered Southerners
Southerners disliked tariffs because:
They favored NE and Middle state manufacturing over southern agriculture
They made southerners pay higher prices for their goods from either overseas or from the North, which gave
more money and power to the North
It was a scapegoat for other problems
It was the Federal government interfering with states’ rights; they feared the Federal government might
interfere with other states’ rights, like slavery
Denmark Vesey Conspiracy – 1822, slave rebellion in SC that was thwarted before it began
South Carolina Exposition – pamphlet written by John C. Calhoun of SC (Vice President at the time) that denounced
the Tariff of Abominations, resurrected the Compact Theory of states’ rights (from the VA and KY Resolutions of Jefferson’s
day), and called for nullification (and secession, if necessary) of the tariff by the state of SC, thereby making it null and void
“Nullies” in South Carolina
Main idea: Anti-tariff “nullies” in South Carolina nullified the Tariff of 1832, leading to Jackson’s anger and calls of secession
and civil war, but the conflict was temporarily spared by compromise.
“Nullies” – SCians against the Tariff of Abominations, who wanted to nullify it
Tariff of 1832 – was less offensive than the Tariff of Abominations, but not enough to pacify the Nullies
The SC legislature voted to nullify the Tariff of 1832 and to secede from the Union if the Federal government
attempted to collect tariffs by force
Jackson: “If one drop of blood be shed there in defiance of the laws of the United States, I will hang the first man of
them I can get my hands on to the first tree I can find.” He didn’t like the tariff much either, but he was determined to preserve
the Union and uphold its laws; he began assembling an army
Compromise Tariff bill – proposed by Henry Clay and passed, it reduced the Tariff of 1832 by 10 percent over 8
years, eventually returning to the Tariff of 1816 level
Force Bill – authorized Jackson to use military force to enforce tariff duties if necessary
SC and the country came close to secession and civil war; Clay temporarily saved the day with his compromise tariff;
neither side really won or backed down
The Trail of Tears
Main idea: President Jackson supported U.S. removal of Native Americans to reservations in the West, leading to the Trail of
Tears, the Black Hawk War, and the Seminole War.
Original U.S. policy was to make formal treaties and bargains with Native Americans for their lands; these were
frequently broken or ignored by U.S. settlers; others attempted to Christianize or “civilize” the Indians
“Five Civilized Tribes” – term for eastern Native American tribes (Choctaw, Chickasaw, Cherokee, Creek and
Seminole); many of their members had adopted U.S. lifestyle and customs
The Cherokee had adopted agriculture and private property, established an alphabet, schools and a Constitution for
their nation; some had become prosperous slave-holding planters
In 1828 the George state government declared the Cherokee government illegal and claimed their lands; in a series of
rulings, John Marshall upheld the Cherokees’ rights and their land; President Jackson said, “John Marshall has made his
decision; now let him enforce it.”
Indian Removal Act, 1830 – removal of all eastern Indians to western reservations in “Indian Territory,” modern-day
Oklahoma; it was intended to be a permanent protected territory, but it lasted only about 15 years
Trail of Tears – the name for the journey of the Indians, especially the Cherokee, from their native eastern lands to
Indian Territory after the Indian Removal Act was passed
Black Hawk War – Fox and Saux Indians in Illinois and Wisconsin, led by Black Hawk, fought back but were
defeated in 1832 and removed
Seminole War – Creeks who had escaped to Florida became Seminoles and joined with escaped African slaves to
fight against the U.S. for seven years (1835-1842), led by Osceola; most of them were finally removed, but some of their
descendents still live in the Everglades of Florida today
Overall main idea: After the “corrupt bargain” and new campaigns for the common masses, Andrew
Jackson’s presidency was known for conflict over tariffs, states’ rights and Indian removal.
Jacksonian Democracy and Texas – Ch. 13 of The American Pageant, “The Rise of Mass Democracy,”
pp. 268-286
Overall main idea: During the Jacksonian Era, the growth of mass populist democracy and Jackson’s
controversial actions led to the two-party system of Democrats versus Whigs.
The Bank War
Main idea: President Jackson’s dislike of the national bank as undemocratic led to his vetoing its new charter, expanding
presidential power and making it an issue for the presidential campaign of 1832.
Jackson and the “common people” disliked the national bank (Bank of the United States) because:
It was monopolistic in that no other bank could challenge it
It was so large and powerful that it acted almost like a branch of government (however its scale allowed it to
be more stable, creditable, and helpful to the growing U.S. economy)
It was a private institution that had almost uncontrollable power over the economy and challenged the
government; its motive was profit, not the welfare of the country
It continued to foreclose on western farmers who were indebted and seemed to favor eastern businesses and
aristocrats
“The Bank War” – 1832, Jackson’s battle to eliminate the national bank over Henry Clay and other Congressmen
Clay hoped to make the Bank War a campaign issue for the presidency and so win over Jackson; if Jackson vetoed the
bank charter, it would turn the wealthy and influential easterners against him; if he signed it, it would turn his western and
southern common people against him
The bank re-charter did make it through Congress but Jackson vetoed it; he claimed it was unconstitutional (despite
what McCulloch v. Maryland had already ruled in the Supreme Court) and harmful to the U.S.
New assertion of Presidential power – formerly, Presidential vetoes were assumed to be for constitutionality,
but Jackson asserted that he could veto because he found the law bad for the overall good of the U.S.
“The Bank is trying to kill me, but I will kill it!” – Jackson
“Old Hickory” Wallops Clay in 1832
Main idea: Andrew Jackson was re-elected in 1832 over Henry Clay and the new Anti-Mason Party.
1832 campaign: Jackson (Democrat) vs. Henry Clay (National Republican, later Whig) vs. Anti-Mason Party
Anti-Mason Party – first “third party” in the U.S., they opposed the secretive Masonic order (“The Masons”), its
influence and aristocracy, and Jackson
Despite financial advantages of Clay and the National Republicans, Jackson easily won the election
Burying Biddle’s Bank
Main idea: Despite warnings, Jackson withdrew all federal money from the national bank and deposited it in “pet banks,”
leading to financial panic and depression.
Jackson’s advisors warned him against removing federal deposits from the bank and putting them in “pet banks,” but
Jackson was passionate about “killing” the bank and not letting it continue
Pet banks – state banks that favored Jackson
“Wildcat banks” – upstart small banks, esp. in the South and West, that were unreliable and unstable, relying on selfissued paper money
The quick death of the national Bank of the U.S. left a vacuum of stability and credit in the U.S. economy; it led to a
more unstable cycle of boom and busts, less stable hard currency and more inflated paper money
Specie Circular – Jackson authorized that all federal land sales must use hard currency; this limited speculative land
sales and led to the Panic of 1837 and subsequent economic depression
Yet Jackson had retired by then back home to Nashville and left his successor to deal with the damage
The Birth of the Whigs
Main idea: The Whig Party combined many different groups to emerge as opposition to Jackson’s Democratic Party.
Democratic Party – name adopted by Jacksonian supporters; an evolution of the Democratic-Republican Party but
more geared toward the common people (democracy=direct government of the people)
Platform (see p. 282-283 also, esp. for quote from Jackson):
For the common people and public good over special interests and aristocracy
For western expansion
For increased executive power, but otherwise strict constructionism
For national unity
Against economic nationalism (using the federal government to interfere with the economy)
Most importantly, for whatever Jackson supported
Whig Party – combined many diverse groups to form an anti-Jackson party; led by Henry Clay, Daniel Webster and
John C. Calhoun
Platform:
For Clay’s American System of economic nationalism – protecting manufacturing, and using federal
funds for internal improvements like canals, railroads and telegraph lines
For limiting executive power and restoring Congressional dominance
For limits on western expansion
For active government programs and reforms: prisons, asylums, public schools
Most importantly, against whatever Jackson supported; “King Andrew the First”
The Election of 1836
Main idea: Hand-picked Jackson successor Martin Van Buren defeated a number of Whigs to become President in 1836.
Jackson picked his VP Martin Van Buren to be the Democratic candidate in 1836 election and even arranged to have
him approved by the party and convention
The Whigs were still not completely unified and nominated several candidates, hoping to deny Van Buren of a
majority and throw the election to the Congress, where the Whigs had a better chance; it didn’t work, as Van Buren barely won
the popular vote but easily won the electoral vote
Big Woes for the “Little Magician”
Main idea: Van Buren struggled in his presidency due mostly to issues beyond his immediate control.
Van Buren was actually an accomplished, experienced and intelligent politician
He had to deal with being seen as a Jackson “yes man” and trying to fill Jackson’s shoes; also he had to deal with
Texas annexation and especially the Panic of 1837 that Jackson had helped create
Depression Doldrums and the Independent Treasury
Main idea: Land speculation, crop failure, European problems and Jackson’s financial policies led to the Panic of 1837 and
economic depression.
Land speculation – the risky investing of money in land with the hopes of selling it later at a higher price in order to
pay off the original investment and make a profit
Causes of the Panic of 1837:
Western land speculation had been going on since America began, but it crashed in 1837
Wheat crop failures led to high grain prices and farmer debt
European financial problems limited American credit and loans
Jackson’s ending the National Bank, use of unstable “pet banks” and paper money, and the Specie Circular
Panic of 1837 – economic depression set in; banks collapsed, sales dropped, factories closed, unemployed increased,
debt increased
Whigs called for economic nationalism to fix the depression
“Divorce Bill” and the Independent Treasury – Van Buren pushed through a bill that “divorced” government money
from banks and kept it in separate, independent vaults; it denied loans and credit for banking but kept government money safe;
not a popular idea and probably made the depression worse; Martin “Van Ruin”
Gone to Texas
Main idea: Americans immigrated to Mexican Texas, where they defied Mexican laws and conflicted with authorities.
Mexico won its independence from Spain in 1821; it arranged for American immigration to Texas in 1823, with the
arrangements that the immigrants would be Roman Catholic and they would adhere to Mexican laws and customs
G.T.T. became slang for “Gone to Texas”; by 1835, there were 30,000 Americans in Texas; included outlaws and
adventurers like Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie and Sam Houston
Texans ignored the laws and resented Mexican soldiers in Texas; Mexico abolished slavery in 1830 and American
immigration; Texans continued to use slavery and continued to encourage further American settlement
Santa Anna – Mexican dictator, raised an army and sent them to Texas in 1835 to force the Texans to comply and
suppress rebellion
The Lone Star Rebellion
Main idea: Texas won independence from Mexico but was not annexed by the U.S. due to slavery controversy.
1836 – Texas declared independence from Mexico
Battle of the Alamo – Santa Anna defeated and killed almost all Texans (and American volunteer allies) at the
mission/fort; a similar situation happened soon after at Goliad, Texas; Texans began using “Remember the Alamo!” and
“Remember Goliad” as war cries and slogans
Sam Houston – led the Texan army in retreat, then defeated Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto; the Texans forced
Santa Anna to accept Texan independence and its terms, including the shared boundary of the Rio Grande river
The U.S. was supposed to be neutral in the war, but Americans voluntarily aided the Texans without U.S. government
resistance; Andrew Jackson even recognized Texas independence in 1837, before he left office
Texas Republic – most Texans wanted to become a U.S. state but it became a controversy over slavery; anti-slavery
advocates charged it was a plot to increase slavery and upset the Missouri Compromise balance; therefore Texas was delayed
annexation, becoming an independent country, The Lone Star Republic, for almost ten years
Mexican or Texican?
Main idea: American and Mexican cultures and government mixed and clashed in the creation of Texas.
Tejanos – native-born Mexicans who lived in Texas; many fought against Santa Anna and signed the Texas
Declaration of Independence
The War for Texan Independence was very similar to the American Revolution, fought over clashes of culture and
government
Log Cabins and Hard Cider of 1840
Main idea: Whig candidate William Henry Harrison won the presidential election of 1840 on the inane platform of homespun
war hero, similar to what Jackson had done.
William Henry Harrison – nominated by the Whigs for president over Clay or Webster because of his appeal to voters;
he was the hero of Indian wars and 1812, “Old Tippecanoe,” and had no enemies or issues associated with him; John Tyler of
Virginia was his vice-presidential candidate, hence the slogan “Tippecanoe and Tyler, Too”
Van Buren was re-nominated as the Democratic candidate
The Harrison campaign avoided issues, but merely promoted Harrison as a war hero, a homespun farmer from a log
cabin that drank hard cider like the majority of common Americans, especially from the West and South; they portrayed Van
Buren as a dandy aristocrat who was responsible for the economic ruin; very similar campaign to Jackson’s in 1828 and 1832
Actually Harrison was an FFV, a rich planter
Campaigning increased and the election became more of a public contest, appealing to common people across the
country; Harrison won over Van Buren
Politics for the People
Main idea: Beginning with the Jacksonian Era, politics became more centered on populist democracy of the common masses
rather than the virtuous elite of the revolutionary era.
In the revolutionary days, populist democracy was feared, as in the term “mobocracy” and the Federalist attacks
against it (Shays’s Rebellion, Whiskey Rebellion, the violence of the French Revolution)
In the Jacksonian Era, populist democracy was praised and the aristocracy was denounced; they were seen as
pretentious, out of touch, and too wealthy and powerful; though most office holders remained upper class, they now had to
appeal more to the common masses
This results from the extension of voting rights to more white males (often abolishing property requirements), and the
quick expansion of the union to the western and southern states as the eastern states lost power
The Two-Party System
Main idea: Beginning with the Jacksonian Era, an enduring two-party political system emerged that was diverse and mostly
avoided sectionalism.
The Whigs and the Democrats were the first solid, accepted two party system; the Federalists and the DemocraticRepublicans of earlier were tentative and not intended to last a long time
See above for party platforms; they disagreed on many issues and philosophies but were diverse; social classes and
sectional regions were not confined to only one party, which allowed for compromise, especially as slavery problems grew
Overall main idea: During the Jacksonian Era, the growth of mass populist democracy and Jackson’s
controversial actions led to the two-party system of Democrats versus Whigs.