Political Trends of the Antebellum Era (1824-1840)

The Rise of the “Common Man”

& “Jacksonian Democracy”

Decline of the Notables

In what ways did Washington, Adams,Jefferson, Madison, Monroe and JohnQuincy Adams embody a sort of politicalelitism?

Read the excerpts from the speeches of the first six U.S. presidents.

I. What was new about the “new democracy”

in antebellum America?

Universal White

Manhood Suffrage

“Common Men” begin gaining political power over “notables”Ex: Davy Crockett

Economic Advancements Change Politics

Create Class Divisions Less rural/urban divide Regional economics Independent artisans lost

ground to outwork system Wealthy favored by taxes Classes easily exited: “self-

made man”

Power More Broadly Held Universal Male Suffrage Egalitarian marriages in the

north Mass production and

machine tools helped smaller entrepreneurs

Unions gain rights for workers

Context set up in CH. 9…

“ Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word, equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude.”

De Tocquevillecomments of

political trends inDemocracy in

America“The most able men in

America are rarely elected to office.”

John Quincy Adams&

Andrew Jackson

Changing Political Trends

Personified by

• “Old Hickory” becomes the hero of the “Common Man” and the new Democratic Party

• War Hero

• “Self Made” man

• Westerner

Andrew Jackson John Quincy Adams

• Intellectual & Diplomat was the symbol of the nationalist “establishment” in the early 19th C.

• Harvard Educated

• Son of a President

• New Englander

Election of 1824 & alleged “Corrupt Bargain”

Ends “Era of Good Feeling”

Jackson’s “Revolution” of 1828

The reign of “King Mob” at Jackson’s Inauguration

“New Democracy” in Action asJackson Increases Political “Patronage”

“Spoils System” or “Rotation of Office” ??

Other “democratic”

Trends

• Anti-Masonic Party

• Open Party Conventionsreplace closed Caucuses

• More local political offices

(ex: sheriff & judges)elected rather

than appointed

II. Jackson & the Native Americans

Should a “democratic” leaderpursue a policy favored by a

majority of constituents if manyconsider it morally wrong?

• 5 “Civilized” Tribes

• Indian Removal Act

• Worcester v. Georgia

“Trail of Tears”

III. Jackson & the “Tariff of

Abominations”

Should a “democratic” leaderthreaten force to pursue a policy not favorable to one section of the

nation?

Southern View of Tariff

Nullification Crisis

States Rights vs. Nationalism

1828 - “Tariff of Abomination”

John C. Calhoun & South Carolina Exposition

Jackson uses military intimidation – Force Act

“Compromise” Tariff of 1833

IV. Jackson and the 2nd B.U.S.

Should a “democratic” leader ignore Congress and the

Supreme Court in order to check the power of business interests &

the social elite to please the “common man”?

The “Bank War” of 1832Whether or not to re-charter the 2nd BUSsparks a class & cultural debate between:

Rich vs. PoorEast vs. West

Elite vs. Common Man

J BA IC DK vs. DS LO EN

Jackson as “King Veto”

Jackson ignoresSupreme Court (again)and vetoes a 3rd BUS -

puts federal $into state “pet banks”

Martin Van BurenPresident (1837 – 1841)

Term marred by Panic of 1837

V. Legacies of the Jacksonian Era

“Populism” adopted by both political parties

“Tippecanoe & Tyler Too”

“Log Cabin & Hard Cider”

Election of 1840

Increases theInfluence of the

Presidency