unit 4 topics jackson’s presidency ante bellum industrialization reform movements of the 1820s...

Unit 4 Topics

• Jackson’s Presidency

• Ante Bellum Industrialization

• Reform Movements of the 1820s

• Movement West in the 1840s

• Chapters 13,14,15,17

The Age of Jackson

Was it the age of the Common Man or

the age of the Dictatorship of Andrew Jackson (King Andrew 1st)?

Presidential Election of 1828

• Jackson won 56% of the popular vote and 178 to 83 (Adams) of the Electoral Votes – no doubts this time: had a majority of Electoral votes

• J. Q. Adams won New Eng only; Jackson won everywhere else.

• “Jacksonians” hailed their victory as just as important as the victory of Jefferson in 1800..(the Revolution of 1828)

– “Once again the forces of privilege had been ejected from Washington. Once again, a champion of Democracy would occupy the White House and restore liberty to society and the economy. America would now enjoy “the era of the common man”………(Rhetoric?)

Why did Jackson win the Presidential Election of 1828?

• 1. Adams: Personality

• Aloof, austere, closeted thinker (like his father) rather than a politician: irritable, sarcastic, tactless

• Great record in statecraft, “one of the most successful secretaries of state”, yet one of the least successful Presidents

• “Did not possess many of the usual arts of the politician and scorned those who did: in the dawning age of backslapping and baby-kissing democracy, the cold-fish Adams, could hardly hope for success at the polls” (chosen by House of Reps, 1824 – not the popular choice.)


• 2. Adams: Politics

• Minority President (Federalist), yet refused to win over support with Spoils System, only replaced 12 govt. officeholders…no real support base, no Federalist party of any significance

• Strong Nationalistic views, “when the nation was turning from post-Ghent nationalism back to states rights and sectionalism” he “swam against the tide”: supported American System, national university, astronomical observatory, at a time when govt. expenditure, tariffs, federal gov. interference in states issues (roads) were becoming unpopular as Era of Good Feelings ended


• His unpopular policies

– Wanted to slow down sale of western land and expansion West (upset South and West)

– Supported the Cherokee Indians against the State of Georgia which was trying to evict them and make land available to white settlers

– Supported the Tariff of 1828, the Tariff of Abominations – up to 45% on some imports; by now the South and West had become anti-Tariff….Calhoun wrote the “South Carolina Exposition” (concealed his authorship) in objection – it was unjust and unconstitutional) proposing nullification (opposed to such a high tariff, but also to protect the institution of slavery…the tariff was the issue on which to make a strong stand on principle against all federal encroachments on states rights…


• 3. Jackson’s Successful 4 year long Campaign• Portrayed himself as the victim of “Corrupt Bargain”,

denouncing Adams as a “corrupt aristocrat” – his election had defied ‘the will of the people”

• Presented himself by comparison as a rough-hewn frontiersman of humble origins – orphaned at an early age (hyperbole – lived in a huge plantation, the Hermitage, in Tennessee, and owned slaves), a champion of the Common Man: won support of “dirt farmers” and urban laborers (radical NY workers = locofocos) as well as yeomen farmers

• Mudslinging• National Republicans charged that;

– Jackson’s mother was a prostitute and his wife, Rachel, an adulteress (technicality – paperwork not properly filed – died a month after the election of 1828)

– Printed black bordered shaped like coffins, recounting his numerous duels (had two bullets still in his chest) and brawls, and trumpeting his hanging of six mutinous militiamen

• Democrats accused Adams of:– Purchasing gaming tables and gambling furniture of the white

house (actually bought a billiard table and a set of chessmen for his own use and with his own money)

– Criticized for the large sums of money he had received over the years in federal salary – thought it was well earned

– Accused of having procured a servant girl “for the lust of the Russian prince – in short of having served as a pimp.”

• Portrayed himself as a supporter of States Rights, of South and West: “took advantage of shift from nationalism to states rights, swam with the tide”

• Took advantage of his military heroics; victory over Native Americans (Creek Indians at Horseshoe Bend) over the British at New Orleans, and over the Spanish in Florida – known as Old Hickory by his troops for his stubbornness and determination

• Andrew Jackson During the Battle of New Orleans, illustration by Frederick Coffay Yohn, c. 1922


• 4. Greater Voter Participation / Increased Electioneering / Democratic Political Machine

• Only 25% of voters voted in 1824

• 56% of voters voted in 1828 (78% by 1840) – higher turnout was to his advantage

• Higher turn out due to the excitement, electioneering, intense campaigning of the previous 4 yrs; the Democrats also created excitement: modern style get-out-the-vote-campaign, involving banners, badges, parades, barbecues, free drinks, and baby-kissing, slogans such as “Shall the People Rule”

• People responded and came out to vote

• Some states introduced written / secret ballots for the first time, replacing “voice voting”, which encouraged more people to vote

• Also, the electorate had increased since 1824, due to the elimination or lowering of property qualifications

Jackson as President

• Focus Questions

• Was it really the “Age of the Common Man”?

• How different was his Presidency from that of Adams? What changes did he introduce?

• What was “Jacksonian Democracy”?

• Was he more of a Dictator than a Democrat?

Jackson as President• His Political Philosophy• More emphasis on the interest of the / issues of the “common man” than the elite…land, tariffs, taxes, representation

• End Corruption in Fed. Govt. (BUS) / East• Expansion of Democracy, more opportunities in politics /

govt. for the common people – a Rotation of Office• Reduction in big govt. / decentralization of power from

Washington; suspicious of Federal Gov.• But preservation of the Union• Believed in a strong Executive Branch, expansion of power

of Presidency –President represented the people more so than the other two branches (used presidential veto 12 times / all previous 6 Presidents combined used 10 vetoes - King Andrew?)

Jackson as President• Inauguration;• So called “inaugural brawl”?

• 30,000 approx. excited people came to celebrate their hero’s inauguration (“Hickories”, “Hickoryites,” “nobodies”); Exuberance

• Exaggerated: labeled by his opponents as the inauguration of “King Mob”, as resembling the mob of the French Revolution…..fears?

• Showed that ordinary people (common man) identified with him; he was their president, first non-aristocrat in the office….wanted to see his inauguration, felt they were part of his success

Jackson as President• Spoils System;• Hoped to introduce a Rotation of Office – allowing more people /

more “common people,” to experience working for the Govt.• But moved cautiously; over the next 8 yrs he removed only about

one fifth of federal officeholders, many in their 80s (unlike Jefferson – but most were already Democratic-Reps/Democrats, supported him) –but yet he was still criticized, with some truth, for some illiterates, incompetents, and some crooks (Samuel Swartwout stole $1m from the treasury and left for England)

• Came to realize that “common people” didn’t have the education or experience to hold these jobs…couldn’t rotate

• Really just replaced the old elite, with a new elite, of his own associates


• Despite the rhetoric, “Jacksonian Democracy” had limits: not the age of the Common Man in terms of a “Rotation of Office”

• Kitchen Cabinet• Relied for advice on an informal group of friends and

family• Included newspapers editors such as Amos Kendall, and

adopted son Andrew Jackson Donaldson• Opponents criticized him for relying more on the advice

of his Kitchen Cabinet than his official Cabinet…(not democratic…they were not elected) …common / normal now

Jackson as President• National Conventions;• Democrats already used local and state nominating Conventions • Now adopted National Nominating Conventions also (used in

1832 election, for first time, nominated Jackson to run for re-election) to choose candidates running for national office

• More Democratic than having party caucus (King Caucus) choosing candidates for national office

• Inspired by the Anti-Masonic party (hated the secrecy of the Masonic Society, and was anti-Jackson too – he was a Mason), the first to introduce this system at national level

• But, again, though more democratic, there was no real transfer of power to “the common people”.

• Delegates to National Conventions were rarely common men: were usually well off, and they choose well of candidates (gov. by elite on behalf of “masses”)


• Jackson and States Rights: The Webster-Hayne Debate, 1830.

• Northern senators proposed to slow down the sale of Western Land

• South, West objected – this would deny them opportunities

• Robert Hayne, South Carolina Senator: articulated Sth and West position – wanted more land to be made available for sale: but were now victims of the tyranny of the North: South should Nullify tyrannical laws such as this

• Daniel Webster, Senator for Mass, took up the argument for the Union, Fed Gov. decision making.

• Became a debate about States Rights v National Power in general. Webster intended his reply to be an answer to all nullification challenges in the past

Jackson as President• Webster’s Reply;• Constitution was an agreement by the people to set up a

permanent supreme Fed. gov.• within the structures of that gov. a majority must govern,

while respecting the rights of minorities. • only the Supreme Court could decide on constitutionality

or unconstitutionality of new laws. • there would be no union if each of the 24 states was

allowed to decide which laws it would and would not (Nullify) accept

• Ended with "Liberty and Union, now and for ever, one and inseparable".

• Webster’s speech had an enormous impact on Northern public opinion. 40,000 copies of speech printed, and excerpts included in school text books – influenced young generation who would fight the Civil War

Jackson as President• Jackson’s Position?• People wondered what side Jackson would take: states

rights or Fed Gov. powers? • Gave his answer during his toast at a Jefferson banquet• Provoked by Calhoun (he and Jackson had split over

Peggy O’ Neal / John Eaton affair – his Sec. of War), urged on by Van Buren

• Jackson proposed, "Our Federal Union - it must be preserved." (Jackson supported states rights but within the framework of the Constitution – no Nullification by states)

• Calhoun's toast was "The Union - next to our liberty most dear". But Jackson had stolen his thunder

• Jackson…moderate, not really a Revolution / Dictator


• Tariffs, South Carolina, and Nullification Crisis

• Tariff of 1832 did not bring the relief from the Tariff of 1828 that the South had expected

• Lowered the 45% tariff (Abominations – Jacksonians had pushed it high, unintentionally) to 35% - but not enough

• South Carolina / Calhoun again advocated nullification (had resigned from Jackson’s cabinet and become Senator for S.C)

• S.C. legislature also favored Nullification

Jackson as President• Held a referendum to decide on the issue: voters approved of

nullification by 23,000 (“nullies” or nullifiers) to 17,000.(unionists)

• Then a State Convention also approved of Nullification, and as a further act of defiance, the convention threatened to take S. Carolina out of the Union if Washington attempted to collect the customs duties by force

• Legislature then voted to Nullify the 1832 tariff and forbade the collection of revenues in the State; and voted to make preparations for military defense.

• Hayne was elected as their new Governor

• FIRST REAL TEST of the Union: SC had taken Nullification further than Jefferson / Madison, and Federalists had in the past


• Jackson’s Response:• Not a die hard supporter of the Tariff, but was not going to tolerate

defiance or disunion.

• Publicly was moderate but Decisive (yet privately was outraged/ threatened to invade the sate and hang Calhoun and other nullifiers)

• Issued a blunt Nullification Proclamation, warning the people of S.C. that this was treasonous: used explanation of Webster….majority rule, nullification unconstitutional

• Offered support for loyal minority in S.C. Strengthened the Federal forts in the state and sent Gen. Winfield Scott to Charlestown with a small naval fleet

• Asked Congress to pass a Force Bill authorizing further use of army and navy – to collect the tariffs

Jackson as President• Hayne responded with a counter-proclamation – “the lines were

drawn”

• Yet, Calhoun was in a predicament; Jackson was determined and not a single Southern state had come out in support of Nullification / S.C.

• S.C. was isolated: it could not hope to survive a showdown with the Fed. Govt. But if Calhoun backed down, he might be ruined politically

• Saved by Henry Clay - "Great Pacificator“; proposed a compromise (1833) by which the tariff wd be lowered by 1% a year over 8-10 yrs until by 1843 it reached 1816 levels (25%).

• The Compromise and the Force Bill were passed on the same day: Jackson was satisfied

• Some accused him of Appeasement – of being too easy on South….leading to Secession and Civil War later

• Calhoun claimed a victory? And unwilling to allow the Fed gov to have the last word, S.C. voted to Nullify the Force Bill…. a symbolic gesture of defiance (it wasn’t needed now)

• Calhoun learned that S.C. in the future could not succeed alone. Spent next few yrs trying to build up a sense of Southern solidarity so that if another confrontation should arise S.C wd have more support from S and W states….. (in the Civil War)

• Overcoming this crisis, preserving the Union – was it Jackson’s greatest achievement ?....though the conflict had been avoided, the issues had not been resolved….the nullies and Union would clash again, and compromise would be more elusive


• States Rights and the Maysville Road Bill of 1830;• Jackson opposed Nullification but he supported states

rights in many other areas.

• Vetoed laws he considered to exceed the powers of the Fed Gov

• The Maysville Rd Bill was one of the most significant of his 12 vetoes (King Andrew I)- it authorized the gov. to buy stock in a private company building a road within the State of Kentucky – would be a branch of the National Road


• Passed by Congress

• But because the road was within one state, Jackson felt it was unfair to give the project Fed funds (also involved using the elastic clause). Vetoed it.

• Yet he did approve of Fed gov spending on other roads and other bridges (usually if several states benefited)... Spent more than J.Q. Adams on such projects


• Jackson and the Indian Removal.• Wanted end to separate sovereignty / nation-like status

of Native Americans• Must live under state jurisdiction / laws• Must sell some of their lands to the states…much of it

was unused• Should try to Assimilate, become Civilized • Or they should either voluntarily move or be forced to

move West: Removal • He believed they were ultimately racially inferior, so

Civilizing and Assimilation would more than likely be impossible


“I have the kindest feelings towards you but circumstances that cannot be controlled, and which are beyond the reach of human laws, render it impossible that you can flourish in the midst of a civilized community.”

• For Jackson the “Common Man” did not include Native Americans (or African Slaves)

Jackson as President• Helen Hunt Jackson, in A Century of Dishonor, argued that

Native Americans ultimately had no chance of surviving in the East:

• If they resisted assimilation / seizure of their lands they were overpowered / defeated in Battle: Fallen Timbers, Tippecanoe

• If they signed Treaties handing over some of their land in return for permanent ownership of the remainder, the Treaties were broken later by the Fed. Govt. or the States (“dishonor” – a century of broken promises)…Virginia

• If they tried to Assimilate, like the "5 civilized tribes" had done - Cherokee, Creek, Seminole, Chickasaw, and Choctaw – they were still persecuted, eventually, and had their lands taken and then driven West

Jackson as President• Cherokee Removal, 1838• In Georgia, the Cherokee were one of the few remaining

tribes living on their own lands as a sovereign nation, protected by a Treaty with the Fed. Gov.

• Had tried to become “Assimilated” or “Civilized” (farming, settled, own written language, a formal written constitution, schools, newspaper, judicial system, Christianity): hoped to keep their lands by imitating white society

• But: population increase / land hunger intensified in 1820's and 1830's, and discovery of gold on their lands made survival almost impossible

Jackson as President• State of Georgia demanded that the Cherokee accept state

authority, laws etc. and also sell land (J.Q. had defended the Cherokee)

• Congress supported these demands and passed the Indian Removal Act in 1830; Jackson supported it: its main terms:

– 1. All existing treaties with N/I be voided– 2. No more recognition of Tribal sovereign rights: they

were under the jurisdiction of the states they lived in– 3. Must sell land – 4. To be moved West if they did not co-operate

• Most tribes sold out and moved West: but not the Cherokee

Jackson as President• Cherokee took their case to the Supreme Court: Marshall

refused to hear the case: Cherokee Nation v Georgia, 1831: it did not fall under original jurisdiction; Georgia was pleased

• But Marshall ruled in favor of the Cherokee in 1832 in another case, Worcester v Georgia: came by Appellate Jurisdiction

• A new Georgia law required people entering Cherokee territory to obtain permission from the governor

• Worcester, a missionary, traveled back and forth without permission: accused of breaking the law: imprisoned

Jackson as President• Marshall ruled that the Cherokee were a separate entity

(though not a nation), with property rights – the implication was that their property could not be taken from them / and could make decisions about who came on their lands / property: he invalidated the new State Law.

• Fed Gov., Georgia, and Pres. Jackson, ignored Marshall’s decision

• Jackson said: "Marshall has made his decision, let him enforce it now if he can“ – defiance towards Judicial Branch

• Georgia began to extend its control over the Cherokee nation and proceeded to seize and distribute their land and move them West.


• Other southern states - Alabama, Miss, N.C, Tennessee – did the same, removing the Choctaws, Chickasaws, Cherokee, Seminole and Creeks: were moved on to Oklahoma

• The Cherokee in Georgia became divided into 2 factions

• One, the National Party, led by John Ross, favored resistance: rep. a majority (17,000)

• The other, the Treaty Party, led by Major Ridge, favored accepting reality, cutting the best deal possible and moving West: rep a minority (1,000)

• Jackson and Georgia negotiated only with the Treaty Party:

agreed to Relocation Treaty of 1836 / Treaty of Echota. They would move to Oklahoma by 1838 and get $5m, plus land in return

• But majority refused to move: When the deadline passed, Federal troops were sent to forcefully remove them

• Forced marched over 1,000 miles to Oklahoma. 4,000 died from malnutrition, exposure, cholera, and harsh treatment by the troops. Their grueling trek became know as the Trail of Tears.

• The Trail of Tears, oil on canvas by Robert Lindneux,

• Overall 100,000 Native Ams were moved to reservations in the West / Oklahoma – the new Bureau of Indian Affairs was to administer relations with the Indians.

• But these Treaties would also later be broken (H. H. Jackson / A Century of Dishonor).. The so-called “new permanent frontier” lasted only 15 years

• Trail of Tears took place under Van Buren – but assess Jackson’s accountability…


Jackson and the BUS; the Bank War:

• In spite of the many advantages of the BUS, Jackson was not in favor of it

• Felt that it was elitist and monopolistic; shareholders (some were foreigners) made huge profits, from having Fed. Govt. funds deposited

• Felt it was pro-East / anti-West: responsible for the Crisis of 1819 (personal losses)

• Felt it was corrupt: gave low interest loans to 50 politicians and newspaper editors to get support for a new charter

• Personal dislike for Chairman Biddle (Czar Nicholas 1st)


• And it employed his rivals, Senators Clay and Webster, as legal advisors

• But, he was willing to tolerate it • Until, Clay and Webster advised Biddle, to apply to

Congress for a new Charter in 1832, 4 yrs ahead of the expiration of the old one, to make its renewal a divisive issue in the upcoming Pres Election

• Hoped to hurt Jackson’s re-election chances; if he supported it he would lose votes in the S and W, if he opposed it he would lose votes in the N

• The re-charter was a major issue in the Pres El of 1832, as its supporters hoped – but Jackson was re-elected

• Congress passed the re-charter bill but Jackson vetoed it; defiant – Bank had challenged him – he would win

• Jackson won overwhelmingly - 55% of popular vote and 219 Electoral votes to Clay's 49

• He took his success as an indication of approval for his opposition to the Bank.

• Though it still had 4 more years to run, he would “kill” it by withdrawing Govt. funds: instead deposited them in independent / private or state banks / “pet banks” (many owned by Democrats)

• Biddle struck back by calling in loans, raising interest rates and restricting credit: hoped the resulting Depression (the Biddle Panic) would put pressure on Jackson to withdraw his veto, or at least put money back in the BUS

• The Pet Banks flooded parts of the country with unreliable paper currency….

• Jackson authorized the treasury to require that all public land sales be with “hard” money – the Specie Circular, to stop another speculative boom

• An Economic crisis developed…

• Biddle blamed Jackson for the Panic/Depression, Jackson blamed Biddle

• But Jackson would not give in: Biddle backed down (lowered rates, gave loans): Jackson won the Bank War

• The BUS declined and then was disbanded in 1836 when its charter expired

• The absence of the BUS would cause further Economic decline…

• Was this “an amplification of the power of the Presidency?” …. King Andrew 1st…Did he have to eliminate the BUS? How could he have reformed it?

• Political cartoon accusing Andrew Jackson of monarchical ambitions, 1832.


The Taney Court

• Marshall died in 1835: Jackson chose Taney, friend, ally in the Bank War: committed Democrat

• More Democrats also appointed to Supreme Court and other judgeships

• Supreme Court set the tone for more emphasis now on States Rights, willingness to repeal contracts etc….

• Charles River Bridge v. Warren Bridge, 1837: about a second bridge over the Charles River: State of Mass supported a new contract allowing a second bridge, ending old contract (Marshall had protected contracts)

• Taney supports the decision, in the interests of increased competition, ending monopolies, lowering costs, lowering prices for consumers


Emergence of Second Two Party System: Democrats and Whigs

• Opponents of "King Andrew I“ began to merge into an opposition group

• Called themselves Whigs (inc. National Rep’s, Anti-Masonic Party, ex-Democrats): tried to portray him as a pro-Monarchist Tory

• Inherited Federalism, policies of J.Q. Adams / N. East (BUS, American System, 1.8.18 / Elastic Clause…..)


• Whigs were led by Clay, Webster, Calhoun – neither was able to win national support, beyond their regions

• The divided Whigs ran 3 candidates, in 3 regions, against Van Buren, in 1836 (Harrison, White, Webster)

• Jackson’s popularity and the efficient Democratic Party machine enabled him to win – rather than his own personality or politics

Van Buren Presidency

• Big shoes to fill; never as popular as Jackson• Some Democrats resented that Jackson had imposed him

on the Party as their choice• Was plagued throughout his admin. with economic

difficulties / Depression, inherited from Jackson presidency, that contributed to the strengthening of the Whigs

• To end the Economic Crisis he supported an Independent Treasury (Divorce Bill) – keep Fed Gov money out of banks, in vaults in various cities: passed in 1840 but repealed by Whigs in 1841_

Van Buren Presidency

• Economic Panic also cause by a Depression in Europe / England and a succession of crop failures in the US

• The Panic helped the election prospects of the Whigs; won the Presidency in 1840; Wm Harrison defeated Van Buren in his re-election bid

• Whigs had used Democratic Party / Jackson style electioneering / campaigning

• Portrayed themselves as saviors of the masses from Van Buren’s aloofness, elitism

• Portrayed Harrison as the man of the people, representing rustic values, a simple man.. log cabin, cider etc… (though he was an FFV aristocrat) and took advantage of his military heroics over the Native Americans / Shawnee at Tippecanoe in 1811

Whigs and Democrats, to Republicans

• Harrison died 1841: succeeded by Tyler (left Democrats, joined Whigs because he didn’t like the dictatorial tendencies of Jackson):

• Former Democrat from Virginia. • Still believed in many Democratic policies. • Expelled by Whigs for vetoing a bill that would have

restored a system like the BUS: rejoined Democrats • James Polk: 1844: Democrat• Zachary Taylor: 1848: Whig• Franklin Pierce: 1852: Democrat• James Buchanan: 1856: Democrat• Lincoln: 1860: Republican

Age of the Common Man or of the Dictatorship of Andrew Jackson?

• Common Man President or Dictator?• Inauguration brawl

• Spoils System / Rotation of Office

• Kitchen Cabinet

• 12 Vetoes

• Views on Power of Presidency

• National Nominating Conventions

• Webster Hayne Debate

• Peggy O Neal

• Nullification Crisis

• Maysville Road

• Indian Removal Act / Cherokee Removal

• BUS - Depression

Interesting Quotes

• "Andrew Jackson was the first modern president, because he was the first one who asserted that the president was not merely a member of the government's symphony: he was its conductor."

• Jon Meacham, historian

• "Andrew Jackson, I am given to understand, was a patriot and a traitor. He was one of the greatest of generals, and wholly ignorant of the art of war... He was the most candid of men, and was capable of the profoundest dissimulation... A democratic autocrat. An urbane savage. An atrocious saint."

• James Parton, biographer, 1859

• "How you judge this period in our history hinges on what you think about race, about the plight of Native Americans, about corporate capitalism...about democracy in practice and whether it really works or not."

• Daniel Feller, historian

• "After 8 years as president, I have only two regrets. That I have not shot Henry Clay or hanged John C. Calhoun."

• Andrew Jackson

unit 4 topics jackson’s presidency ante bellum industrialization reform movements of the 1820s...

Documents