1824-1840
AP U.S. History
 How did Jacksonian Democracy change American
politics and power in the United States?
No one got a majority of Electoral Votes in the election of 1824. Thus, the House of
Representatives decided (as per the 12th Amendment), which was led by Henry Clay. John Quincy
Adams was chosen to be president and Adams picked Henry Clay to be Secretary of State.
A corrupt bargain
has been struck!
Thanks Henry!
Whatever dude.
Andrew Jackson
Everyone’s a “Republican!”
(Era of Good Feelings)
Henry Clay
John Quincy Adams

Adams was committed to being a good president, but his administration was generally
seen as a failure. Adams didn’t see the changes that were occurring in American
society and politics.
Fateful Decision of President Adams
1. He didn’t like interacting with voters or other
politicians.
2. He did not win the popular vote (not even close).
3. Adams refused to practice the Spoils System.
4. He was nationalistic even though the public was
turning toward states’ rights and sectionalism.
5. He tried to treat the Cherokee Indians in Georgia
fairly.
I was a one-term
president, just like
my dad.
John Quincy Adams

Andrew Jackson’s appeal to the common people arose partly because he had risen
from the masses and reflected many of their prejudices in his personal attitudes and
outlook.
Huzza for Jackson!!
I rose from the masses
– I’m for the common
man!
I got spanked. Damn
the West and South!
Southern
woman
Jackson
Western Farmer

One political development that illustrated the new popular voice in politics was the
growth of the spoils system as a basis for large political “machines.”
Loyalty to party is better
than loyalty to region or
economic class.
Democracy rules!
Jackson
I’ll get people to vote
Democrat. In return, I want
money and key government
positions for our allies.
First president to be nominated at
a formal party convention.
Famous leader of the New York
City Democratic political
“machine” in the 1850s.
William “Boss” Tweed

In the battle over the “Tariff of Abominations,” New England backed high tariffs while
the South demanded lower duties.
The tariff protects
manufacturing. I
love the tariff!
What do I do?!
We have to sell
our crops on the
open market.
We don’t get a
tariff but New
England does? –
Lame!
We have to buy
stuff at a higher
price too! Down
with the tariff.
Westerner
Southerner
President Jackson
New Englander

Under the surface of the South’s strong opposition to the “Tariff of Abominations” was
a fear of growing federal power that might interfere with slaver.
The West had rising property
values and a growing
population – good times.
South Carolina should nullify
the Federal tariff. Show
Congress who is boss!
The Southwest was expanding
into new cotton lands – good
times.
John C. Calhoun
The Old South was economically
stagnant and feared a stronger
national government would outlaw
slavery – bad times.

Some southeastern Indian tribes like the Cherokees were notable for their
development of effective agricultural, educational, and political institutions. It did not
matter, the Indian Removal Act of 1830 forced Native Americans west of the
Mississippi onto Indian Territory. President Jackson was told by the Supreme Court to
let the Cherokee stay; Jackson ignored the court.
I’m protecting
Indians from
the Whites. So,
you gotta leave
Cherokee.
We created an alphabet, learned
to read and write, became
farmers, and even owned slaves.
You still want us to leave our
land? Not fair!
Jackson
Wait! The
Supreme
Court says
you have a
right to stay!
John Marshall
Sequoyah
Did you know I
helped force
Indians out of
Illinois under
the Indian
Removal Act?
Abraham
Lincoln

Jackson’s veto of the Bank of the United States recharter bill represented a bold
assertion of presidential power on behalf of western farmers and other debtors. After all,
the Supreme Court, in McCulloch v. Maryland, already ruled the Bank constitutional and
Congress, by passing a bill to renew the charter of the Bank by a large margin, was
presumably acting on behalf of the people.
The Bank is not
accountable to
the people and its
unconstitutional!
Renew the
Charter to the
Bank!
Webster
Jackson
Clay

One important result of President Jackson’s destruction of the Bank of the United States
was the lack of a stable banking system to finance the era of rapid industrialization.
I hate the Bank
and the president
of the Bank –
Nicholas Biddle!
Jackson
Wildcat banks out West issued
paper money like toilet paper
(so speculators could buy more
Western land) without the
Bank of the U.S. there to
regulate the economy.
Jackson ordered the
Treasury to issue
Specie Circular
(metallic money made
with Silver or gold) to
slow the economy.
This caused a crash.

Among the new political developments that appeared in the election of 1832 were Thirdparty campaigning, national conventions (the National Republicans, Anti-Masons, and
Democrats do this) and party platforms (the parties publicize their positions).
The Bank of the U.S.
was a good thing,
bro.
I run for
president…again.
They all get together to
form the Whig Party.
What united them? Their
hatred of Jackson.
Clay
Calhoun
Webster
The Anti-Masonic Party was a
third party - a first for
America. They campaigned
against privilege and
monopoly. They also wanted
moral and religious reform.
Whatever. I’m
awesome.

in the Immediate aftermath of the successful Texas Revolution Texas petitioned to join
the United States but was refused admission.
Never will the North allow
Texas to be admitted as a
slave state!
You have defeated
me, but not Mexico.
Daniel Webster
Santa Anna
You suck as my
successor.
Jackson
Sorry Texas, you gotta
wait. And shut up
Jackson.
President Van Buren
We defeated the Mexicans. We
want to join the Union now.
Sam Houston
Stephen Austin
How did the elections of 1828 – 1840 reflect changes
in American politics?
2. What was Jacksonian Democracy?
1.