Andrew Jackson The Age of the “Common Man”

What you need to knowAge of Jackson, 1828-1848A. Democracy and the "common man" B. Expansion of suffrage C. Rotation in office D.Second party system E. Democratic Party F. Whig Party G. Internal improvements and states' rights: the Maysville Road

veto H. The Nullification Crisis I. Tariff issue J. The Union: Calhoun and Jackson K. The Bank War: Jackson and Biddle L. Martin Van Buren M.Independent treasury system N. Panic of 1837

Why is the age of Jackson referred to as the “Age of the Common Man?”

Culture of an American HeroExpansion of SuffragePopular campaigning“The people are the Government, the sovereign power.” Jackson

Culture of an American Hero

Jackson is perhaps 2nd only to Washington in popularityIndian Fighter, “Old Hickory”War Hero- New OrleansTough, self-made man Epitome or personification of the WestIndependent, strong willed, strong values of what is right and wrong

Jackson Image Society in America should be one which “The planter, the farmer, the mechanic, and the laborer, all know that their success depends on their own industry and economy.”Privileges of the Elites will not be allowed to stifle opportunity.

Jackson Image Anti- ElitismEgalitarianism

Expansion of SuffrageRapid population growth and industry cause more people to want to voteNew Western states offer voting as a way to encourage settlementPoliticians supported, employers supportedWestern States adopt Universal Manhood SuffrageProperty requirements removed in West, East follows practice

White Males Vote1824-27%

1828- 58%

1840- 80%

Popular campaigningChange from period of Deference-1780s-1810Open Air Rallies, BarbecuesFocus on Party Membership (Not issues)Getting Votes is keyMost organized party wins (Van Buren the expert)Torchlight ParadesCandidate DebatesDrinkingBanners/SlogansNewspapers become importantPropaganda

Party PoliticsMass Politics was key to political powerNeed to organize the populationLoyalty to party was paramount IdeaUse favors and rewards = patronage for people who are helpful in getting votesParty must be preserved

Jackson Inauguration

Election of 1824

Democratic-Republicans- begins to divideAdams Vs. JacksonVote SplitGoes into House of RepsClay Supports Adams“Corrupt Bargain” acquisitions Clay is given office of Secretary of StateJackson is a sore loser

Election 1828Jackson CampaignDirtiest Campaign Ever

Election of 1828Adams Seen as elitistSeen as corruptSeen as privilegedAttacked for wasting $Gambling devices

Wins 44% of vote- New England, Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland

Jackson Wins great majorityPower from the west, Calhoun VPCalled a murdererWife attacked in papers as a Bigamist

Second Party System:The Democratic-Republican Party Divides

Whigs- Adams-Clay(Similar to Federalists)Pro-BankPro-TariffPro-National Improvements- Roads, Railroads, Canals

Democrats- JacksonBest organizationPro-States RightsAnti-BankAnti-TariffAnti-Federal funded transportationMartin Van Buren- key ally, and successorStrong political organizer

Whigs= traditional term for people in England who tried to weaken the king

Wanted expansion of Federal powerEncourage Industrial and commercial developmentStrengthen the ties of the country with consolidated economic systemCautious of Westward ExpansionFavored Banks, Corporations,

ConstituentsWASPsNortheast MerchantsManufacturers Wealthy planters in the South

Those that wanted stronger ties with the industrial North

Ambitious Farmers and merchants of the WestMigrants from Northeast to the westAristocrats

DemocratsExpand economic and political opportunity (Common man?- not traditional elites)Gov Should be limitedGov should remove obstacles to opportunitiesUnion is essential to opportunityWanted to attack corrupt privelege

SouthSome North and WestImmigrants- NYCIrish-Germans- Catholic

Locofocos- (Radical) Workingmen

Small businessWanted to attack monopoly and Privilege

Internal ImprovementsPeriod of rapid economic expansionCanals/steamships, roads, railroads, Whigs-Clay support strong improvements paid for by Tariff

Jackson is mixed in his policyBelieved in strict interpretation of Constitution- Federal Gov has limited role-Example Maysville road- Clay wants fed $ to pay for road, Jackson says no. Vetoed bill

Internal Improvements

National RoadErie Canal-links Great Lakes to Eastern SeaboardCanals-3,326 miles of canals, cost $125 millGoods-East to WestAgri-produce West to EastCities

Railroads-most in Northeast1840- 3,328 miles cost $17000 per mile

Eaton Affair and Kitchen Cabinet

Peggy was wife of Eaton a cabinet minister was excluded by other cabinet wivesJackson intercedes Calhoun’s wife ignores requestJackson is angry at cabinet

He forms an informal group of advisors, excludes cabinet input except Van BurenCalhoun decides to resign- he doesn’t like

Hayne-Webster DebateHayne was a Senator for S. CarolinaWith CalhounSuggest the West should unite with the south against the EAST.Issues-both regions are victims of Eastern econmic tyrannyTariff-

Webster – Senator from MassachusettsResponds to HayneKeep the Union“Liberty and Union, now and forever one and inseparable.” Webster

Nullification CrisisCalhoun- “Mr. Southerner”Advocate of States’ Rights (major cause of Civil War)Breaks with Jackson, early, Eaton AffairCalhoun quits to be senator from South Carolina

Jackson quote “Our Federal Union it must be preserved.”Calhoun, “The Union, next to our liberty most dear.”Highlights differences

Nullification CrisisNew Tariff of 1828 cause South to claim “Tariff of Abominations”States’ Rights advocate Calhoun secretly authors South Carolina Exposition and ProtestCreated doctrine that said, states could when they follow process, Nullify Federal laws

Tariff ^ causes prices ^Causes prices for imports to ^Causes economic problems for the south

South Carolina convention passes Ordinance of Nullification

Causes Jackson to get toughSends the proclamation to people of South CarolinaSaid- Nullification does not existNo secession will be allowed“Disunion by armed force is Treason”

Jackson asked Congress for Force Bill- authority to use force on nullifying statesClay comes to the rescue with compromiseWebster supportedSouth Carolina and Calhoun back down

Bank War 1832-33Bank of the US needs to be renewedJackson against bank (thought bank had too much power)Clay wants US bankWebster wanted bankBiddle- bank president wanted bank

Jackson vetoes bank bill-Said monopoly on bank favored Eastern rich“To make the rich richer and the potent more powerful, at the expense of the humble members of society- the farmers, mechanics, and laborers.”“The federal government must provide equal protection under the law.”

Results of Bank WarA number of small banks emerge called “Pet Banks”Speculation results- inflation land and prices go up Jackson tries to remedy the problem with a idea to have one Gold or Silver pay for land (Specie)Causes Panic of 1837, paper money loses value, and economy goes into depression

Indian Removal 1830Jackson believed Indians and Whites should not mixCherokee’s had developed a significant civilization- constitution, farming, written language, Sequoia and John Ross are important figures.Gold was discovered on Cherokee landState gov wanted Cherokee land

Jackson wanted to negotiate treaties for Indian RemovalMany in the tribes didn’t want to move1830 Removal Act was passed Offered money to relocate IndiansIndians Resist in the Courts

Indian RemovalLaw suits go to supreme court- State wins one 1831 Cherokee Nation v Georgia (ruling is unclear regarding state jurisdiction)Cherokee win one- Worcester v. GeorgiaMarshall says Indians have right to tribal lands, Feds have jurisdiction over tribes and negotiationsJackson and Fed negotiate treaties with some Indians and others disagree 17,000 forces Indians to leaveCherokee Indians of Georgia are forcibly removed from Territory 16,000 Indians are forced to leave Georgia and sent to Oklahoma

Jackson and the Taney Court

Friend of JacksonOpen interpretation of ConstitutionFavored expansion of opportunityStates rightsExample of Charles River Bridge v Warren Bridge

“The object of government was to promote general happiness”A state, therefore, had rights to amend or abrogate a contract if such action was necessary to advance the well being of the community.”

Martin Van Buren democrat

Hand picked successor of JacksonGets caught up with the problem of banks and economic depressionPanic of 1837Loses to Whig Harrison

Log Cabin Campaign- 1840

Popular Campaigning Whigs Copy the Democrats in Campaign techniquesWilliam Henry Harrison- Tippecanoe(Fought Tecumseh and the Prophet)Indian Fighter, Ohio, Popular