the rise of a mass democracy,...

Chapter13

TheRiseofaMassDemocracy, 1824–1840

I.The“CorruptBargain”of1824

• Corruptbargain(1824)lastold-styleelection– JamesMonroe,lastofVirginiadynasty,completed2ndterm;fournewcandidates:• JohnQuincyAdams(Mass.):highlyintelligent,experienced,aloof• HenryClay(Kentucky):gamyandgallant“HarryoftheWest”• WilliamCrawford(Georgia):able,thoughailinggiantofaman• AndrewJackson(Tenn.):gaunt,gutsyheroofNewOrleans.

I.The“CorruptBargain”of1824(cont.)

• Fourcandidates:– Allfourprofessedtobe“Republicans”– Resultsofcampaign:• Jackson,thewarhero,hadstrongestpersonalappeal,especiallyinWest• Polledasmanypopularvotesashisnexttworivalscombined,butfailedtowinmajorityofelectoralvote(seeTable13:1)• Under12thAmendment,suchadeadlockmustbebrokenbyHouseofRepresentatives

Table 13-1 p249


• TwelfthAmendment(seeAppendix)• Selectamongtop3candidates• ClayasSpeakeroftheHousewaseliminated• Claycouldthrowhisvotetowhoeverhechose• Crawford,felledbystroke,outofthepicture• ClayhatedJackson,hisarchrivalinWest• JacksonresentedClay'sdenunciationofhisFloridaforayin1818• OnlycandidateleftforClaywaspuritanicalAdams


• ClayandAdams:– BothfervidnationalistsandadvocatesofAmericanSystem

– ClaymetprivatelywithAdamsandassuredhimofhissupport

– Decisionday1825:onfirstballotAdamselectedpresident

– AfewdayslaterAdamsannouncedClaywouldbesecretaryofstate


• Officeofsecretaryofstate:– ConsideredapathwaytoWhiteHouse– Threeprecedingsecretarieshadbecomepresident

– AccordingtoJackson'ssupporters,AdamsbribedClaywithpost

–Massesofangrycommonfolkdenounced“corruptbargain”

II.AYankeeMisfitintheWhiteHouse

• JohnQuincyAdams:• Cametopresidencywithbrilliantrecordinstatecraft,especiallyforeignaffairs• Ranksasoneofthemostsuccessfulsecretariesofstate,yetoneoftheleastsuccessfulpresidents• Amanofscrupuloushonor• EnteredWhiteHouseunderchargesof“bargain,”“corruption,”and“usurpation”

II.AYankeeMisfitintheWhiteHouse(cont.)

• Becausehewonfewerthan1/3ofvoters,hewasfirst“minoritypresident,”havinglimitedpopularsupport• Didnotpossessmanyoftheusualartsofthepoliticianandscornedthosewhodid• Hadachievedhighofficebycommandingrespectratherthanbycourtingpopularity• Refusedtooustefficientofficeholderstocreatevacanciesforhissupporters• Heonlyremovedtwelvepublicservants


– Nationalistviews:• Mostpeopleweremovingawayfrompost-Ghentnationalismandtowardstates'rightsandsectionalism• Adams,however,remainedanadamantnationalist• In1stannualmessage,heurgedCongresstofundconstructionofroadsandcanals• RenewedWashington'sproposalfornationaluniversity• Advocatedfederalsupportforanastronomicalobservatory


• Publicreactiontohisproposalswasunfavorable• Hislandpolicyantagonizedwesterners• HeattemptedtodealfairlywithCherokeesofGeorgia,butinprocessangeredwhiteswhowantedCherokeeland

III.Going“WholeHog”forJacksonin1828

• 1828campaignbeganonFebruary9,1825:– DayofAdams'controversialelectionbyHouse– Andcontinuedfornearlyfouryears– UnitedRepublicansfromEraofGoodFeelingsplit:• NationalRepublicanswithAdams• Democratic-RepublicanswithJackson

– Campaignmarkedbyexaggerationsandmudslinging

III.Going“WholeHog”forJacksonin1828(cont.)

– Onelectionday,electoratesplitonsectionallines:• JacksonsupporterscamefromWestandSouth(seeMap13.1)• AdamswonNewEnglandandNortheast• Middlestates/OldNorthwestweredivided:• Whenpopularvotewasconvertedtoelectoralvote,JacksontrouncedAdamsby178to83• Jackson'swinrepresentedgrowingimportanceofWest

Map 13-1 p252

IV.“OldHickory”asPresident

• Carolinianmoved“upWest”toTennessee:– Throughintelligence,personality,andleadership,hebecameajudgeandamemberofCongress

– FirstpresidentfromWest– Firstnominatedatformalpartyconvention(1832)– Secondwithoutcollegeeducation(Washingtonwasfirst)• Hisuniversitywasadversity

IV.“OldHickory”asPresident(cont.)

• Jacksonwasunique:– Hadrisenfrommasses,buthewasnotoneofthem,exceptinsofarashesharedmanyoftheirprejudices

– Afrontieraristocrat,heownedmanyslavesandlivedinoneofthefinestmansionsinUSA—theHermitage,nearNashville

• Jackson'sinauguration:– Symbolizedascendancyofthemasses– WhiteHouse,forthefirsttime,wasthrownopen

V.TheSpoilsSystem

• SpoilsSystem—rewardingpoliticalsupporterswithpublicoffice:– IntroducedintoU.S.Governmentonlargescale– Jacksondefendeditondemocraticgrounds:• “Everymanisasgoodashisneighbor,perhapsequallybetter.”• Washingtonneededahousecleaning

V.TheSpoilsSystem(cont.)

• Spoilssystemwaslessaboutfindingnewbloodthanaboutrewardingoldcronies:– Scandalaccompaniednewsystem– Some,whomadelargecampaigncontributions,wereappointedtohighoffice

– Illiterates,incompetents,andcrooksweregivenpositionsofpublictrust

– Despiteitsabuse,spoilssystemanimportantelementofemergingtwo-partyorder

Table 13-2 p255

VI.TheTricky“TariffofAbominations”

• ProblemforAdamsandnowforJackson:– TariffsprotectedindustryagainstcompetitionfromEuropeanmanufacturedgoods

– TheyalsoincreasedpricesforallAmericans– InvitedretaliatorytariffsonAmericanagriculturalexportsabroad

–Middlestateshadlongsupportedprotectionisttariffs:• Websterabandonedfreetradetobackhighertariffs

VI.TheTricky“TariffofAbominations”(cont.)

– 1824Congresssignificantlyincreasedgeneraltariff

– Jacksonitessupportedanevenhighertariffbillwhichsurprisinglypassedin1828

– Jacksoninheritedpoliticalhotpotato– Southernershatedtariffsandbranded1828one“TariffofAbominations”


• WhydidSouthreactsoangrily?– Believed“Yankeetariff”discriminatedagainstagriculturalSouth

– OldSouthwasfallingonhardtimes,andtariffprovidedconvenientandplausiblescapegoat• TariffsprotectedYankeeandmiddle-statemanufacturers• FarmersandplantersofOldSouthfelttheywerestuckwithpayingthebill

VI.TheTricky“TariffofAbominations“(cont.)

• Deeperissuesunderlaysouthernoutcry:– Growinganxietyaboutpossiblefederalinterferencewithslavery

– KindledbycongressionaldebateonMissouriCompromise

– FannedbyabortedslaverebellioninCharlestonin1822,ledbyfreeblackDenmarkVesey


• AbolitionistsmightusepowerofU.S.GovernmenttosuppressslaveryinSouth• Nowthetime,usingthetariff,totakestandagainstanyfederalencroachmentsonstates'rights• SouthCarolinianstookleadinprotestingagainst“TariffofAbominations”– PublishedpamphletTheSouthCarolinaExposition


• TheSouthCarolinaExposition:– SecretlywrittenbyJohnC.Calhoun,oneofthetoppoliticaltheoristsproducedbyAmerica

– Denounced1828tariffasunjustandunconstitutional

– Explicitlyproposedthatstatesshouldnullifyit—thatis,theyshoulddeclaretariffnullandvoidwithintheirborders

VII.“Nullies”inSouthCarolina

• Nullifiers—“nullies”:– Triedtoget2/3votefornullificationinSouthCarolinalegislature

– BlockedbyUnionists—“submissionmen”• USCongresstippedbalancebypassingnewTariffof1832

– NullificationCrisisdeepened:• SouthCarolinareadyfordrasticaction• NullifiersandUnionistsclashedinelectionof1832

VII.“Nullies”inSouthCarolina(cont.)

• NullificationCrisis(cont.)– “Nullies”emergedwith2/3majority– Statelegislaturecalledforaspecialsession– Delegates,meetinginColumbia,declaredexistingtariffnullandvoidinSouthCarolina

– ThreatenedtotakeS.C.outofunionifWashingtonattemptedtocollectcustomsdutiesbyforce


• Jacksonnotabigsupporteroftariffs,buthewouldnotpermitdefianceordisunion:– Threatenedtoinvadestateandhavenullifiershanged

– Issuedringingproclamationagainstnullification– Ifcivilwarwastobeavoided,onesidewouldhavetosurrender,orbothwouldhavetocompromise


• HenryClaysteppedforward:– Althoughasupporteroftariffs,hebackedcompromisethatgraduallyreducedtariff• CompromiseTariffof1833

– CongressalsopassedForceBill—authorizedpresidenttousearmyandnavyifnecessarytocollecttariffduties


• Facingcivilwarwithinandinvasionfromwithout,Columbiaconvention:– Repealednullificationoftariff– ThennullifiedForceBill

• NeitherJacksonnor“nullies”wonclear-cutvictoryin1833

• Claywastruehero

VIII.TheTrailofTears

• Jacksonianscommittedtoexpansionwest:–Meantconfrontationwith125,000NativeAmericanswholivedeastofMississippi

– FederalpolicytowardIndiansvaried:• 1790s,U.S.Governmentrecognizedtribesasseparatenationsandagreedtoacquirelandonlybyformaltreaty• Manywhitesettlersbroketreaties• ManyotherwhitesfeltrespectandadmirationforIndiansandbelievedtheycouldbeassimilated

VIII.TheTrailofTears(cont.)

• Energydevotedto“civilizing”andChristianizingtheIndians.

• In1787,theSocietyforPropagatingtheGospelamongtheIndianswasfounded.

• Thefederalgovernmentappropriated$20,000topromoteliteracy,agriculture,andvocationalinstructionamongIndians.


• CherokeesofGeorgiamaderemarkableeffortstolearnthewaysofwhites:–Missionariesopenedschools– 1808CherokeeNationalCouncillegislatedawrittenlegalcode

– SomeCherokeesbecameprosperouscottonplantersandevenslaveholders

– “FiveCivilizedTribes”—Cherokees,Creeks,Choctaws,Chickasaws,andSeminoles


• GeorgiamovedtotakeCherokeeland.• SupremeCourtruledinfavorofCherokees.• Jackson,wantingtoopenIndianlandstowhites,refusedtorecognizeCourt'sdecision

• Jacksonproposedtoremoveremainingeasterntribes

• Emigrationwassupposedtobevoluntary,butJackson'spolicyuprooted>100,000Indians.

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• IndianRemovalAct—1830:– RemoveallIndiantribeslivingeastoftheMississippi(seeMap13.2)

– HeaviestblowfellonFiveCivilizedTribes–Manydiedduringforcedmigration,mostnotablyCherokeesalongnotoriousTrailofTears

– BureauofIndianAffairsestablishedin1836

Map 13-2 p260

VIII.TrailsofTears (cont.)

• IndianresistanceinBlackHawkWar(1832)crushed.

• InFlorida,SeminoleIndiansjoinedwithrunawayslavesandretreatedintoEverglades

• Forsevenyears(1835-1842)wagedguerrillawarthattooklivesof15,000soldiers.

• Seminoleresistancebrokenin1837whenwhitesseizedChiefOsceolathroughtreachery.

IX.TheBankWar

• Jacksondidnothateallbanksandbusinesses,buthedistrustedmonopolisticbankingandover-bigbusinesses.

• U.S.Governmentmintedgoldandsilvercoins,butnopapermoney:– Papermoneyprintedbyprivatebanks– Valuefluctuatedwithhealthofbankandamountofmoneyprinted

IX.TheBankWar(cont.)

• BankoftheUnitedStates:–Mostpowerfulbank– Actedlikeabranchofgovernment– Principaldepositoryforgovernmentfunds– Controlledmuchofgovernment'sgoldandsilver– Itsnoteswerestable– Assourceofcreditandstability,itwasimportantandusefulpartofnation'sexpandingeconomy


• TheBankwasaprivateinstitution:– BankPresidentNicholasBiddlehadimmenseand,tomany,unconstitutionalpowerovernation'sfinances

– Tosome,bankseemedsinagainstegalitariancredoofAmericandemocracy:• BeliefformeddeepestsourceofJackson'sopposition• BankwonnofriendsinWestbecauseofforeclosures• Profit,notpublicservice,wasitsfirstpriority


• BankWareruptedin1832:–WebsterandClaypresentedCongresswithbilltorenewBankoftheUnitedStates'charter

– Charternotenduntil1836,butClaypushedforearlyrenewaltomakeitelectionissuein1832

– Clay'sschemewastoramrecharterbillthroughCongressandthensendittoWhiteHouse


• IfJacksonsignedit,hewouldalienatehiswesternfollowers.

• Ifhevetoedit,hewouldpresumablylosepresidencybyalienatingwealthyandinfluentialgroupsinEast.

• TherecharterbillslidthroughCongress,butwaskilledbyscorchingvetofromJackson.


• SupremeCourtdeclaredbankconstitutionalinMcCullochv.Maryland(1819)

• Jackson'svetoreverberatedwithconstitutionalconsequences:– Vastlyamplifiedpowerofpresidency– Arguedhevetoedbecausehepersonallyfoundbankharmfultonation

– Thusclaimedforpresidentapowerequalto2/3ofvotesinCongress

X.“OldHickory”WallopsClayin1832

• ClayandJacksonwerecandidatesin1832.• Forfirsttime,athirdpartyenteredfield—newbornAnti-Masonicparty:– BecamepoliticalforceinNewYorkandspreadtomiddleAtlanticandNewEnglandstates

– Anti-Masonsappealedtolong-standingsuspicionsofsecretsocieties

– SinceJacksonwasaMason,theAnti-Masonicpartywasalsoanti-Jackson

X.“OldHickory”WallopsClayin1832(cont.)

– Anti-MasonsattractedsupportfromevangelicalProtestantsseekingtousegovernmenttoeffectmoralandreligiousreforms

– Anothernoveltyof1832wasnationalnominatingconventions(threeofthem)tonamecandidates

– Anti-MasonsandNationalRepublicansaddedformalplatform,publicizingpositionsonissues

X.“OldHickory”WallopsClayin1832(cont.)

• AdvantagesforClayandNationalRepublicans:– Amplefunds,including$50,000in“lifeinsurance”fromBankoftheUnitedStates

–MostnewspaperseditorscriticizedJackson

• YetJackson,idolofthemasses,easilydefeatedthebig-moneyKentuckian.

• Popularvotewas687,502to530,189.• Electoralcountwas219to49.

XI.BuryingBiddle'sBank

• Itscharterdenied,BankoftheUnitedStatesduetoexpirein1836.

• Jacksondecidedtokillitsoonerbyremovingallfederaldeposits:– Heproposeddepositingnomorefunds– Graduallyshrunkexistingdepositsbyusingthemtodefrayday-to-dayexpensesofgovernment

XI.BuryingBiddle'sBank(cont.)

• DeathofBankofUnitedStatesleftfinancialvacuumandstartedlurchingboom-bustcycle.

• Surplusfederalfundsplacedinstateinstitutions—theso-calledpetbanks.

• Withoutcentralcontrol,petbanksand“wildcat”bankswereoftenfly-by-nightoperations.

XI.BuryingBiddle'sBank(cont.)

• Jacksontriedtoreininrunawayeconomy:– AuthorizedTreasurytoissueSpecieCircular—1836decreerequiredallpubliclandbepurchasedwith“hard,”ormetallic,money

– Drasticstepslammedbrakesonspeculativeboom– Contributedtofinancialpanicandcrashin1837

XII.TheBirthoftheWhigs

• Newparties:– 1828Democratic-Republicansadoptedname“Democrats”

–WhigscreatedbyJackson'sopponents• HatedJacksonandhis“executiveusurpation”• FirstemergedinSenate,whereClay,Webster,andCalhounjoinedforcesin1834topassamotioncensuringJacksonforhissingle-handedremovaloffederaldepositsfromBankoftheUnitedStates

XII.TheBirthoftheWhigs(cont.)

• OtherswhojoinedWhigs:– SupportersofClay'sAmericanSystem,southernstates'righters,northernindustrialistsandmerchants,andmanyevangelicalProtestants

• Whigssawthemselvesasconservativebutwereprogressiveinsupportofactivegovernmentprogramsandreforms:– Internalimprovements(canals,railroads,telegraphlines)andsupportforinstitutions(prisons,asylums,publicschools)

XII.TheBirthofWhigs (cont.)

• OtherissuesforWhigs:–Welcomedmarketeconomy– ByabsorbingAnti-Masonicparty,theybluntedDemocrat'sappealtocommonman

–WhigsclaimedtodefendcommonmananddeclaredDemocratswerepartyofcronyismandcorruption

XIII.TheElectionof1836

• MartinVanBurenofNewYork:– Jackson'schoiceassuccessorin1836– JacksonriggedconventiontonominateVanBuren– JacksonitessupportedVanBurenwithoutenthusiasm

• Whigsunabletonominateasinglecandidate

XIII.TheElectionof1836(cont.)

• Whigs'strategywastorunseveral“favoritesons”:– Eachwithdifferentregionalappeal,hopingtoscattervotesonoonecandidatewouldwinmajority

– DeadlockwouldbedecidedbyU.S.House,whereWhigswouldhaveachance

–Whigs'“favoriteson”wasGeneralWilliamHenryHarrisonofOhio,heroofBattleofTippecanoe

XIII.TheElectionof1836(cont.)

• Whigs'schemefailed:– VanBuren,dapper“LittleMagician,”gainedofficebypopularvoteof765,483to739,795

– Comfortablemarginof170to124votes(forallWhigscombined)inElectoralCollege

XIV.BigWoesforthe“LittleMagician”

– VanBuren,8thpresident,1stonebornunderAmericanflag:• Statesmanwithwideexperienceinlegislativeandadministrativelife• Inintelligence,education,andtraining,hewasaboveaverageforpresidentssinceJefferson

– Helaboredunderseverehandicaps:• Asamachine-madecandidate,heincurredresentmentofmanyDemocrats• InheritedJackson'snumerousandvengefulenemies

XIV.BigWoesforthe“LittleMagician”(cont.)

– Hisfouryearsoverflowedwithtoilandtrouble:• Twoshort-livedrebellionsinCanadain1837causedincidentsalongnorthernfrontierandthreatenedwar• AntislaveryagitatorscondemnedpossibleannexationofTexas• JacksonbequeathedtoVanBurenasearingeconomicdepression

XV.DepressionDoldrumsandtheIndependentTreasury

• Panicof1837:– Causedbyrampantspeculationfrommaniaofget-rich-quickism

– Speculativecrazespreadfromwesternlandsand“wildcatbanks”tocanals,roads,railroads,andslaves

– Jackson'sactions,includingBankWarandSpecieCircular,gaveadditionaljolt

– Failuresofwheatcropsdeepeneddistress

XV.DepressionDoldrumsandtheIndependentTreasury(cont.)

– FinancialproblemsabroadhurtAmerica'seconomywhen2bigBritishbanksfailed

– Hardshipwasacuteandwidespread:• HundredsofAmericanbankscollapsed• Commoditypricesdrooped,salesofpubliclandsfelloff,customsrevenuesdriedup• Factoriesclosedandunemployedworkersincreased

XV,DepressionDoldrumsandtheIndependentTreasury(cont.)

• Whigsproposedactivegovernmentremedies:– Expandedbankcredit,highertariffs,andsubsidiesforinternalimprovements

– VanBurenspurnedtheseideas– VanBuren's“DivorceBill:”• Separategovernmentfrombanksaltogether• Byestablishingaso-calledindependenttreasury,governmentwouldlockitssurplusmoneyinvaults

XV.DepressionDoldrumsandtheIndependentTreasury(cont.)

• VanBuren's“divorce”schemeneverpopular• FellowDemocratsgavelukewarmsupport• Whigscondemnedit,primarilybecauseitsquelchedhopesforrevivedBankofUnitedStates• Afterprolongedstruggle,IndependentTreasuryBillpassedin1840• Repealedin1841byWhigs,schemereenactedbyDemocratsin1846• ContinueduntilRepublicansinstitutednetworkofnationalbanksduringCivilWar

XVI.GonetoTexas

• In1821Mexicanswonindependence.• Newregimeconcluded1823agreementgrantinghugetractoflandtoStephenAustin:– Promised(1)hewouldbring300AmericanfamiliestoTexaswhowouldbeRomanCatholics

– (2)SettlerswouldbeproperlyMexicanized– Twostipulationslargelyignored

XVI.GonetoTexas (cont.)

• TexanAmericansabout30,000by1835:–Mostlaw-abiding,butsomeleft“States”justaheadofsheriff

– “G.T.T.”(GonetoTexas)becamedescriptiveslang– AmongsettlerswereDavyCrockett,JimBowie– Alatecomerwasex-governorofTennessee,SamHouston

– PioneerindividualistswhocametoTexaswerenoteasytopusharound


• FrictionincreasedbetweenMexicansandTexansover:– Slavery,immigration,andlocalrights– Slaverywasparticularlytouchytopic–Mexicoemancipateditsslavesin1830andbannedfurtherimportationofslavesintoTexas,aswellasfurthercolonizationbytroublesomeAmericans

– Texansrefusedtohonorthesedecrees– Kepttheirslaves,andnewsettlerskeptbringingmoreslavesintoTexas


• AustinwenttoMexicoCityin1833tonegotiatedifferences:– DictatorSantaAnnajailedhimforeightmonths– Explosioncamein1835,whenSantaAnna:• Wipedoutalllocalrights• StartedtoraiseanarmytosuppressupstartTexas

XVII.TheLoneStarRebellion

• In1836Texasdeclaredindependence:– NamedSamHoustoncommanderinchief

• SantaAnnawith6,000mensweptintoTexas:– Trapped200TexansatAlamoinSanAntonio,wipingthemoutafter13days

– Bandof400TexansweredefeatedatGoliadandthenbutcheredas“pirates”

XVII.TheLoneStarRebellion (cont.)

• AlltheseoperationsdelayedMexicanadvanceandgalvanizedAmericanopposition:– SlainheroesBowieandCrockettbecamelegendaryindeath

– Texanwarcries:“RemembertheAlamo!”“RememberGoliad,”and“DeathtoSantaAnna”

– ScoresofvengefulAmericansseizedriflesandrushedtoaidofrelatives,friends,andcompatriots


• Houston'ssmallarmyretreatedtoeast:– LuredSantaAnnatoSanJacinto,nearsiteofcitythatbearsHouston'sname(seeMap13.3)

– 1,300Mexicansvs.900Texans– OnApril21,1836,Houston,takingadvantageofMexicansiesta,wipedoutMexicanforceandcapturedSantaAnna

– Facing30bowieknives,SantaAnnasignedtwotreaties

Map 13-3 p269


• SantaAnnaagreedto:–WithdrawMexicantroops– RecognizeRioGrandeassouthwesternboundaryofTexas

– Afterhisrelease,SantaAnnarepudiatedtreatiesbecausehadbeenextortedunderduress


– AmericansoverwhelminglyfavoredTexanseventhoughin1819U.S.A.recognizedSpanishcontrolofTexasinexchangeforFlorida

– In1837,departingPresidentJacksonextendedrecognitiontoLoneStarRepublic

–ManyTexanswantedrecognitionofindependenceandoutrightunionwithUnitedStates

XVII.TheLongStarRebellion (cont.)

• Texaspetitionedforannexationin1837:– UnitedStateshesitatedbecauseofslaveryissue–MostsettlerstoTexasfromSouthandSouthwest– Explanationwasproximity,notconspiracy–ManyTexanswereslaveholdersandadmittingTexastoUnionmeantgreatlyenlargingAmericanslavery

XVIII.LogCabinsandHardCiderof1840

• DemocratsnominatedVanBuren• Whigsnominatedonly1candidatethistime:– Ohio'sWilliamHenryHarrison,believedtobeablestvote-getter

–Whigspublishednoofficialplatform–Whigs,asresultofaDemocraticeditor'sinsult,adoptedhardciderandlogcabinassymbols

XVIII.LogCabinsandHardCiderof1840(cont.)

–Whigcampaignamasterpieceofinanehoopla– HarrisonwasfromoneoftheFFV's(“FirstFamiliesofVirginia”)

– Harrisonwonbysurprisinglyclosemarginof1,274,624to1,127,781popularvotes;butanoverwhelmingelectoralmarginof234to60

–Whigssoughttoexpandandstimulateeconomy– Democratsfavoredretrenchmentandanendtohigh-flyingbanksandaggressivecorporations

XIX.PoliticsforthePeople

• 1840electiondemonstratedtwomajorchangesinpoliticssinceEraofGoodFeelings.• First,triumphofpopulistdemocraticstyle: • By1840s,aristocracywastaintedanddemocracywasrespectable• Politiciansforcedtocurryfavorwithvotingmasses• Wealthyandprominenthadtoforsakesocialpretensionsandcultivatecommontouchiftheyhopedtowinelections

XIX.PoliticsforthePeople(cont.)

• Commonmanmovingtocenterofnationalpoliticalstage• Americanowbowingtodivinerightofthepeople

XX.TheTwo-PartySystem

• Seconddramaticchangewasformationofvigoroustwo-partysystem:– JeffersonianssosuccessfulinabsorbingFederalistprogramsthattrue2-partysystemneveremerged

– Ideastillprevailedthatparties=conspiracyand“faction”andinjuredhealthofvirtuousrepublic

XX.TheTwo-PartySystem(cont.)

• BothpartiesgrewoutofJeffersonianrepublicanism:– Eachlaidclaimtodifferentaspectsofinheritance– Democratsglorifiedlibertyofindividualandguardedagainstinroadsof“privilege”intogovernment

–Whigstriumphednaturalharmonyofsocietyandwerewillingtousegovernmenttorealizeobjectives• Theyberatedleaderswhoappealedtoself-interest

XX.TheTwo-PartySystem(cont.)

• Democratsclungtostates'rightsandfederalrestraintinsocialandeconomicaffairs• Whigsfavoredrenewednationalbank,protectivetariffs,internalimprovements,publicschools,andmoralreforms(e.g.,prohibition,endtoslavery)

– Separatedbyrealdifferencesinphilosophyandpolicy,buthadmuchincommon:• Mass-based,“catchall”partiesmobilizedasmanyvotersaspossible• Socialandgeographicdiversitywithineachencouragedcompromiseandavoidedcreationofsectionalparties

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