The Age of Jackson

The Age of Jackson

Purpose: to gain an understanding of the distinct economic and social development of the North and West as opposed to the South

Also: to gain an understanding of the evolution of U.S. federal politics after the “Era of Good Feelings” had ended.

Timeframe: 1800-1860, with a focus on the 1820s to 1840s

. The Missouri Compromise

Considerable economic distinction betwen North and South since colonial times.

After revolution, distinction into slave and non-slave states.

Louisiana Purchase Missouri applied for

admission as a slave state in 1819.

Missouri Compromise of 1820

The Missouri Compromise

Commercial Farming Between 1820-60, the area now

known as the mid-West saw rapid settlement.

In accordance to the Jeffersonian ideal, most settlers engaged in farming.

However, farmers increasingly shifted from subsistence farming to cash crops, most importantly wheat.

As farmers worked towards a cash income, they became part of of the growing market economy.

Commercial farmers typically owned their land and took pride in an independent lifestyle.

In order to buy equipment and seed, they borrowed money against the next harvest.

Population Density, 1820-1860

The Transport Revolution: Canals

With the mid-West growing into the breadbasket of the Northeast, the two regions grew physically closer.

Originally, transport routes west of the Appalachians (waterways) ran west and south.

However, agricultural produce was needed in the more densely settled, more urban Northeast.

To connect existing waterways, canals were built, providing a more complete transport network. Roads also provided limited transport capability.

Canals and Roads, 1820-1850

The Transport Revolution: Railroads

Starting in the 1830s and booming after 1850, railroads provided efficient transport independent of waterways.

Such projects required large amounts of capital, involving state governments, foreign and domestic investors.

Roads, canals, and railroads integrated area north of the Ohio

Infrastructure improvement and urbanization concentrated in North and West.

The Growth of the Railroads, 1850-1860

Farmers and Finished Goods

Commercial farming was directly tied to technological innovations, such as steel plows or the McCormick reaper.

Farmers invested money in advanced tools.

As the orientation towards a cash income increased, farmers also bought ready-made clothes, shoes and other goods.

Therefore, commercial farming was tied to the other key factor of the market economy: manufacture.

Cyrus McCormick, inventor of the first successful mechanical

reaper

The Rise of Manufacture

With the War of 1812, Northeast shifts increasingly to manufacturing.

Tariffs protected domestic manufacture.

The American System of Manufacturing revolutionized production. Eli Whitney in 1798. Precision-crafted, interchangeable

parts made the production of guns, but also locks, watches, etc. much easier and faster.

Eli Whitney, inventor of the American System of

Manufacturing and the cotton gin

New England Textile Industry

Textile production was the most industrialized segment of the economy before the Civil War.

Concentrated in New England, massive looms were at first powered by water, later by steam.

Textile mills concentrated all production steps under one roof.

Production was efficient, the resulting clothing was cheap.

The most important example of early NE textile mills were the mills in Waltham and Lowell, Mass.

The Role of Immigration

Between 1820 and 1860, 5 million immigrants arrived in the United States, more than the entire population in 1790.

Immigrants became an integral part of the Northern economy, settling land and providing labor for manufacture.

The two most significant groups were Irish and Germans.

Immigration was largely concentrated in the Northeast and the Midwest.

German ImmigrantsGerman immigrants were a

very diverse group, from many German states and including many German Jews.

They left for economic and political reasons.

German immigrants were, on the whole, more skilled and came with more capital.

Many Germans took to farming in the Midwest, many also settled in cities as craftsmen.

Germans were often regarded as clannish and ethnocentric.

Carl Schurz (1829-1906), Civil War general and prominent German-American politician

Irish Immigrants Irish immigrants

came to the U.S. primarily out of economic reasons.

Most could not afford to buy land and stayed in the Northeastern cities.

Irish immigrants provided the labor force for canals and other infrastructure projects, as well as industrial labor.

Irish faced heavy discrimination, esp. anti-Catholicism.

An 1844 anti-Catholic and anti-Irish cartoon

The Background of Federal Politics

By 1824, most revolutionary leaders were dead or retired.

The demise of the Federalists had left only one party, the Republicans.

Various treaties, the Monroe Doctrine, and British support protected the U.S. from foreign threats.

The U.S. acquired no new territory between 1820-1845. The Missouri Compromise prevented potential fights over slavery in the territories.

Property requirements for voting gradually ceased; the era saw the de facto introduction of universal white male suffrage.

Federal politics therefore centered around domestic, economic issues and the personalities of political leaders in an increasingly democratic political culture and society.

The Election of 1824 During the second term of James

Monroe, the fight for succession displayed great rifts in the Republican party.

Three members of Monroe‘s cabinet showed presidential ambition: John Quincy Adams (state), William Crawford (treasury), and John C. Calhoun (war).

Also entering the race were Henry Clay (speaker of the House) and Andrew Jackson (western war hero).

Jackson received most votes, but no absolute majority. Therefore, Congress elected the president.

In the congressional vote, Clay sided with Adams, who became president.

Jackson felt cheated and became opposition leader.

Election results, 1824

The John Quincy Adams Presidency

The election of 1824 shattered Republican unity.

As president Adams tried to implement Clay‘s „American System“ under which high import tariffs would generate federal revenue which then would be used for internal improvements in infrastructure.

Jackson spent the years between 1824 and 28 organizing his followers into a new party: the Democrats.

Democrats included Jackson‘s stronghold in the West, Calhoun‘s constituency in South Carolina, Martin VanBuren‘s New York constituency, many urban immigrants and many Western farmers who admired Jackson‘s anti-Indian stance.

John Quincy Adams

John Quincy Adams

One of the ablest men, hardest workers, and finest intellectuals ever in the White House. Tried to promote not only manufacturing and

agriculture, but also the arts, literature, and science.

But he lacked the common touch and refused to play the game of politics. Most found him cold and tactless. Could not build any popular support for his

programs.

Election of 1828

Jackson wins by a comfortable margin. Electoral vote: 178 to 83

The election of Andrew Jackson signaled a new era in American History. The maturing republic now included 24

states and 13 million people. Many of these people were on the move

during the 19th century, heading West.

The Andrew Jackson Presidency

Democrats won 1828 in a landslide.

Andrew Jackson dominated U.S. politics between 1828 and 1836.

One of the strongest presidents in US history, he successfully managed to consolidate the disparate factions of his power base, turning the Democrats into a national majority party.

Adopting an earthy, common-people style he portrayed himself as a democratic Washington and the standard-bearer of Jefferson‘s agrarian ideal.

Andrew Jackson

Jacksonin Office

President of the People: Inauguration Jackson’s character

Jackson was the first president from west of the Appalachians. He was a man of action, and though he had a quick mind, he had little use for learning.

His troops named him Old Hickory out of respect for his toughness, but that strength sometimes became arrogance, and he could be vindictive and a bully. He was not a man to provoke, and indeed had a reputation for fighting and dueling.

Jackson was a shrewd politician. He knew how to manipulate men and could be affable or abusive as the occasion demanded. He also displayed a keen sense of public opinion, reading the shifting national mood better than any of his contemporaries.

Jackson in Office

The Spoils system Rotation in federal office holders. Introduced as a way of rewarding political supporters.

Political rivalry between Martin Van Buren and John C. Calhoun Peggy Eaton Affair Jackson is drawn closer to Martin Van Buren

Racial Prejudice in the Jacksonian Era Attitude toward blacks

Planter who owned nearly 100 slaves Attorney General Robert Taney

Blacks were “a separate and degraded people.”

Jackson & American IndiansIndian Removal Act

of 1830Chickasaw,

Choctaw, Creek, Seminole

Trail of Tears (1838) Thousand-mile trip 12,000 Cherokees Only 8,000 reached

Oklahoma

Indian RemovalChampioning the

interests of Western farmers, Jackson supported plans to remove all Indians to present-day Oklahoma.

Indian Removal Act, 1830Cherokee Nation v.

Georgia (1831), Worcester v. Georgia (1832)

Forced removal of the “Five Civilized Tribes” 1831-38; Cherokee “Trail of Tears”

The Nullification Crisis Despite Jackson‘s low-tariff tendencies,

Northern and Western Democrats passed high protective tariffs in 1828 and 1832.

John C. Calhoun, Jackson‘s vice-president from South Carolina criticized this tariff as the „Tariff of Abominations“ because it was against Southern interests.

Calhoun claimed the right of Nullification – declaring a law unconstitutional – for the states. South Carolina nullified the tariff in 1832. There was even talk of secession.

Jackson, despite some sympathies for state rights, threatened to dispatch federal troops to South Carolina. Congress supported this option through the Force Bill.

Conflict was averted through a Compromise Tariff engineered by Henry Clay in 1833 which gradually lowered the tariff.

The Nullification Crisis

Compromise of 1833 Tariffs were gradually lowered. South Carolina dropped nullification. South lost its dominance to North and West.

The controversy convinced many southerners that they were becoming a permanent minority.

As that feeling of isolation grew, it was not nullification but the threat of secession that ultimately became the South’s primary weapon.

The War on the BankDue to a rampant

distrust of central monetary power, Jackson vetoed the re-charter of the 2nd Bank of the U.S. in 1832.

Henry Clay and Nicholas Biddle lobbied desperately, claiming the need for prudent, stable banking.

By 1836 the Bank was defunct.

Lack of proper regulation led to chaotic credit and Panic of 1837.

Andrew Jackson, fighting against the „hydra“ of the 2nd bank of the US and

Nicholas Biddle

The Whig Opposition

Between 1828 and 1836, the opponents of Jackson organized into a full-scale political party: the Whigs.

Important constituencies included Henry Clay‘s supporters, Calhoun‘s pro-nullification South Carolinians, and various groups opposed to Democratic policies and leaders.

Henry Clay campaign poster

Whigs and Democrats Compared

Whigs:Leaders: Henry Clay, Daniel

Webster, John C. Calhoun (after 1833).

Regional Strength: NorthVoters: monied elite, native-

born middle-class nativists and reformers, merchants, manufacturers, highly commercial farmers.

Policies: American System, central banking, government regulation.

Democrats:Leaders: Andrew

Jackson, Martin van Buren

Regional Strength: South and West

Voters: small Southern and Western farmers, immigrants, those fearing concentrated banks and commercial power.

Policies: Laissez-faire economics, anti-bank, Indian removal, states‘ rights, agrarian expansion.

Things in Common: nation-wide presence, weak doctrine, domestic focus, centered around strong-willed leaders, appeal to the „common man“, democratic.

Elections after JacksonBy 1836, Whigs and

Democrats campaign vigorously for votes.

Voter turnouts up to 80 percent.

1836 Jackson‘s hand-picked successor, Martin van Buren wins.

Van Buren‘s presidency crippled by Panic of 1837.

In 1840, Whig war hero of 1812 John Harrison wins, but dies after one month in office. William Harrison campaign

poster

Election of 1828:Age of the Common Man?

Democratization The ending of property qualifications had

greatly increased the number of men qualified to vote.

4 times as many men voted in 1828 than in 1824 Individuals should have an equal opportunity to

better themselves and should be granted political rights and privileges.

All adult white males could vote (no blacks, women, Indians). Jackson did not stress social equality. Wanted everyone to have an opportunity to succeed or fail. Not equality of results.

Election of 1828:Acceptance of Parties

Professional politicians Politics no longer just for the wealthy. Enough jobs in government to support full-time careers in politics.

Politics became mass entertainment Campaign hoopla frequently overshadowed issues. Parades, massive rallies, and barbecues were used to stir voters,

and providing free alcohol became an almost universal campaign tactic.

The election marked the beginning of politics as Americans have practiced it ever since, with two disciplined national parties actively competing for votes, emphasizing personalities over issues.

JacksonLeaves Office

Accomplishments Enlarged the power of the presidency

“The President is the direct representative of the American people” – only responsible to the people, not Congress.

Converted the veto into an effective presidential power. The veto would help presidents shape

legislation in Congress. Political parties seen as a positive good

JacksonLeaves Office

Failures Growing social stratification

Gap between rich and poor visibly widened

Jackson’s financial policies and lack of a national bank helped lead to the Panic of 1837, which was a serious depression that lasted until 1843.

Van Buren

V.P. Martin Van Buren wins in 1836 Panic of 1837

Blamed on the Democrats “Van Ruin’s” Depression

Election of 1840 “Log Cabin and Hard Cider” William Henry Harrison (Whig) “Tippecanoe and Tyler too” “Van! Van! Is a Used-up Man! The Whigs’ Triumph

The Whigs’ Triumph (Second Party System)

Significant Events

1824 Jackson finishes first in presidential race

1825 House elects John Quincy Adams president 1827 Cherokee adopt written constitution

1828 Tariff of Abominations; Jackson elected 1830 Webster-Hayne debates 1830-1838 Indian removal 1832 Jackson’s Proclamation on Nullification

1833 Jackson removes deposits from Bank of US

1834 Whig Party organized 1838 Trail of Tears 1840 Harrison elected president

ConclusionBetween 1800 and 1860, the Northeast and

Midwest of the United states grew into an integrated, specialized, and expanding market economy.

Commercial farming, growing industrialization, improved infrastructure, increasing urbanization, and massive immigration all were facets of this burgeoning Northern economy.

Between 1824 and 1840, the American political system changed radically. High voter turnouts and universal white male suffrage created a new, participatory democracy.

The one-party system of Jeffersonian Republicans split up into Democrats and Whigs, dominated by strong political personalities.

Thesis Drill

Analyze the extent to which TWO of the following influenced the development of democracy between 1820 and 1840. (1996)

1. Jacksonian economic policy

2. Changes in electoral politics

3. Second Great Awakening

4. Westward movement