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
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Table 13-1 p249
I.The“CorruptBargain”of1824(cont.)
• TwelfthAmendment(seeAppendix)• Selectamongtop3candidates• ClayasSpeakeroftheHousewaseliminated• Claycouldthrowhisvotetowhoeverhechose• Crawford,felledbystroke,outofthepicture• ClayhatedJackson,hisarchrivalinWest• JacksonresentedClay'sdenunciationofhisFloridaforayin1818• OnlycandidateleftforClaywaspuritanicalAdams
I.The“CorruptBargain”of1824(cont.)
• ClayandAdams:– BothfervidnationalistsandadvocatesofAmericanSystem
– ClaymetprivatelywithAdamsandassuredhimofhissupport
– Decisionday1825:onfirstballotAdamselectedpresident
– AfewdayslaterAdamsannouncedClaywouldbesecretaryofstate
I.The“CorruptBargain”of1824(cont.)
• Officeofsecretaryofstate:– ConsideredapathwaytoWhiteHouse– Threeprecedingsecretarieshadbecomepresident
– AccordingtoJackson'ssupporters,AdamsbribedClaywithpost
–Massesofangrycommonfolkdenounced“corruptbargain”
II.AYankeeMisfitintheWhiteHouse
• JohnQuincyAdams:• Cametopresidencywithbrilliantrecordinstatecraft,especiallyforeignaffairs• Ranksasoneofthemostsuccessfulsecretariesofstate,yetoneoftheleastsuccessfulpresidents• Amanofscrupuloushonor• EnteredWhiteHouseunderchargesof“bargain,”“corruption,”and“usurpation”
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II.AYankeeMisfitintheWhiteHouse(cont.)
• Becausehewonfewerthan1/3ofvoters,hewasfirst“minoritypresident,”havinglimitedpopularsupport• Didnotpossessmanyoftheusualartsofthepoliticianandscornedthosewhodid• Hadachievedhighofficebycommandingrespectratherthanbycourtingpopularity• Refusedtooustefficientofficeholderstocreatevacanciesforhissupporters• Heonlyremovedtwelvepublicservants
II.AYankeeMisfitintheWhiteHouse(cont.)
– Nationalistviews:• Mostpeopleweremovingawayfrompost-Ghentnationalismandtowardstates'rightsandsectionalism• Adams,however,remainedanadamantnationalist• In1stannualmessage,heurgedCongresstofundconstructionofroadsandcanals• RenewedWashington'sproposalfornationaluniversity• Advocatedfederalsupportforanastronomicalobservatory
II.AYankeeMisfitintheWhiteHouse(cont.)
• Publicreactiontohisproposalswasunfavorable• Hislandpolicyantagonizedwesterners• HeattemptedtodealfairlywithCherokeesofGeorgia,butinprocessangeredwhiteswhowantedCherokeeland
III.Going“WholeHog”forJacksonin1828
• 1828campaignbeganonFebruary9,1825:– DayofAdams'controversialelectionbyHouse– Andcontinuedfornearlyfouryears– UnitedRepublicansfromEraofGoodFeelingsplit:• NationalRepublicanswithAdams• Democratic-RepublicanswithJackson
– Campaignmarkedbyexaggerationsandmudslinging
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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
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Table 13-2 p255
VI.TheTricky“TariffofAbominations”
• ProblemforAdamsandnowforJackson:– TariffsprotectedindustryagainstcompetitionfromEuropeanmanufacturedgoods
– TheyalsoincreasedpricesforallAmericans– InvitedretaliatorytariffsonAmericanagriculturalexportsabroad
–Middlestateshadlongsupportedprotectionisttariffs:• Websterabandonedfreetradetobackhighertariffs
VI.TheTricky“TariffofAbominations”(cont.)
– 1824Congresssignificantlyincreasedgeneraltariff
– Jacksonitessupportedanevenhighertariffbillwhichsurprisinglypassedin1828
– Jacksoninheritedpoliticalhotpotato– Southernershatedtariffsandbranded1828one“TariffofAbominations”
VI.TheTricky“TariffofAbominations”(cont.)
• WhydidSouthreactsoangrily?– Believed“Yankeetariff”discriminatedagainstagriculturalSouth
– OldSouthwasfallingonhardtimes,andtariffprovidedconvenientandplausiblescapegoat• TariffsprotectedYankeeandmiddle-statemanufacturers• FarmersandplantersofOldSouthfelttheywerestuckwithpayingthebill
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VI.TheTricky“TariffofAbominations“(cont.)
• Deeperissuesunderlaysouthernoutcry:– Growinganxietyaboutpossiblefederalinterferencewithslavery
– KindledbycongressionaldebateonMissouriCompromise
– FannedbyabortedslaverebellioninCharlestonin1822,ledbyfreeblackDenmarkVesey
VI.TheTricky“TariffofAbominations”(cont.)
• AbolitionistsmightusepowerofU.S.GovernmenttosuppressslaveryinSouth• Nowthetime,usingthetariff,totakestandagainstanyfederalencroachmentsonstates'rights• SouthCarolinianstookleadinprotestingagainst“TariffofAbominations”– PublishedpamphletTheSouthCarolinaExposition
VI.TheTricky“TariffofAbominations”(cont.)
• TheSouthCarolinaExposition:– SecretlywrittenbyJohnC.Calhoun,oneofthetoppoliticaltheoristsproducedbyAmerica
– Denounced1828tariffasunjustandunconstitutional
– Explicitlyproposedthatstatesshouldnullifyit—thatis,theyshoulddeclaretariffnullandvoidwithintheirborders
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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
VII.“Nullies”inSouthCarolina(cont.)
• Jacksonnotabigsupporteroftariffs,buthewouldnotpermitdefianceordisunion:– Threatenedtoinvadestateandhavenullifiershanged
– Issuedringingproclamationagainstnullification– Ifcivilwarwastobeavoided,onesidewouldhavetosurrender,orbothwouldhavetocompromise
VII.“Nullies”inSouthCarolina(cont.)
• HenryClaysteppedforward:– Althoughasupporteroftariffs,hebackedcompromisethatgraduallyreducedtariff• CompromiseTariffof1833
– CongressalsopassedForceBill—authorizedpresidenttousearmyandnavyifnecessarytocollecttariffduties
VII.“Nullies”inSouthCarolina(cont.)
• 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.
VIII.TheTrailofTears(cont.)
• CherokeesofGeorgiamaderemarkableeffortstolearnthewaysofwhites:–Missionariesopenedschools– 1808CherokeeNationalCouncillegislatedawrittenlegalcode
– SomeCherokeesbecameprosperouscottonplantersandevenslaveholders
– “FiveCivilizedTribes”—Cherokees,Creeks,Choctaws,Chickasaws,andSeminoles
VIII.TheTrailofTears(cont.)
• 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
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Map 13-2 p260
VIII.TrailsofTears (cont.)
• IndianresistanceinBlackHawkWar(1832)crushed.
• InFlorida,SeminoleIndiansjoinedwithrunawayslavesandretreatedintoEverglades
• Forsevenyears(1835-1842)wagedguerrillawarthattooklivesof15,000soldiers.
• Seminoleresistancebrokenin1837whenwhitesseizedChiefOsceolathroughtreachery.
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IX.TheBankWar
• Jacksondidnothateallbanksandbusinesses,buthedistrustedmonopolisticbankingandover-bigbusinesses.
• U.S.Governmentmintedgoldandsilvercoins,butnopapermoney:– Papermoneyprintedbyprivatebanks– Valuefluctuatedwithhealthofbankandamountofmoneyprinted
IX.TheBankWar(cont.)
• BankoftheUnitedStates:–Mostpowerfulbank– Actedlikeabranchofgovernment– Principaldepositoryforgovernmentfunds– Controlledmuchofgovernment'sgoldandsilver– Itsnoteswerestable– Assourceofcreditandstability,itwasimportantandusefulpartofnation'sexpandingeconomy
IX.TheBankWar(cont.)
• TheBankwasaprivateinstitution:– BankPresidentNicholasBiddlehadimmenseand,tomany,unconstitutionalpowerovernation'sfinances
– Tosome,bankseemedsinagainstegalitariancredoofAmericandemocracy:• BeliefformeddeepestsourceofJackson'sopposition• BankwonnofriendsinWestbecauseofforeclosures• Profit,notpublicservice,wasitsfirstpriority
IX.TheBankWar(cont.)
• BankWareruptedin1832:–WebsterandClaypresentedCongresswithbilltorenewBankoftheUnitedStates'charter
– Charternotenduntil1836,butClaypushedforearlyrenewaltomakeitelectionissuein1832
– Clay'sschemewastoramrecharterbillthroughCongressandthensendittoWhiteHouse
IX.TheBankWar(cont.)
• IfJacksonsignedit,hewouldalienatehiswesternfollowers.
• Ifhevetoedit,hewouldpresumablylosepresidencybyalienatingwealthyandinfluentialgroupsinEast.
• TherecharterbillslidthroughCongress,butwaskilledbyscorchingvetofromJackson.
IX.TheBankWar(cont.)
• SupremeCourtdeclaredbankconstitutionalinMcCullochv.Maryland(1819)
• Jackson'svetoreverberatedwithconstitutionalconsequences:– Vastlyamplifiedpowerofpresidency– Arguedhevetoedbecausehepersonallyfoundbankharmfultonation
– Thusclaimedforpresidentapowerequalto2/3ofvotesinCongress
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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.
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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
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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
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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
XVI.GonetoTexas (cont.)
• FrictionincreasedbetweenMexicansandTexansover:– Slavery,immigration,andlocalrights– Slaverywasparticularlytouchytopic–Mexicoemancipateditsslavesin1830andbannedfurtherimportationofslavesintoTexas,aswellasfurthercolonizationbytroublesomeAmericans
– Texansrefusedtohonorthesedecrees– Kepttheirslaves,andnewsettlerskeptbringingmoreslavesintoTexas
XVI.GonetoTexas (cont.)
• AustinwenttoMexicoCityin1833tonegotiatedifferences:– DictatorSantaAnnajailedhimforeightmonths– Explosioncamein1835,whenSantaAnna:• Wipedoutalllocalrights• StartedtoraiseanarmytosuppressupstartTexas
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XVII.TheLoneStarRebellion
• In1836Texasdeclaredindependence:– NamedSamHoustoncommanderinchief
• SantaAnnawith6,000mensweptintoTexas:– Trapped200TexansatAlamoinSanAntonio,wipingthemoutafter13days
– Bandof400TexansweredefeatedatGoliadandthenbutcheredas“pirates”
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XVII.TheLoneStarRebellion (cont.)
• AlltheseoperationsdelayedMexicanadvanceandgalvanizedAmericanopposition:– SlainheroesBowieandCrockettbecamelegendaryindeath
– Texanwarcries:“RemembertheAlamo!”“RememberGoliad,”and“DeathtoSantaAnna”
– ScoresofvengefulAmericansseizedriflesandrushedtoaidofrelatives,friends,andcompatriots
XVII.TheLoneStarRebellion (cont.)
• Houston'ssmallarmyretreatedtoeast:– LuredSantaAnnatoSanJacinto,nearsiteofcitythatbearsHouston'sname(seeMap13.3)
– 1,300Mexicansvs.900Texans– OnApril21,1836,Houston,takingadvantageofMexicansiesta,wipedoutMexicanforceandcapturedSantaAnna
– Facing30bowieknives,SantaAnnasignedtwotreaties
Map 13-3 p269
XVII.TheLoneStarRebellion (cont.)
• SantaAnnaagreedto:–WithdrawMexicantroops– RecognizeRioGrandeassouthwesternboundaryofTexas
– Afterhisrelease,SantaAnnarepudiatedtreatiesbecausehadbeenextortedunderduress
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XVII.TheLoneStarRebellion (cont.)
– 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
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XVIII.LogCabinsandHardCiderof1840(cont.)
–Whigcampaignamasterpieceofinanehoopla– HarrisonwasfromoneoftheFFV's(“FirstFamiliesofVirginia”)
– Harrisonwonbysurprisinglyclosemarginof1,274,624to1,127,781popularvotes;butanoverwhelmingelectoralmarginof234to60
–Whigssoughttoexpandandstimulateeconomy– Democratsfavoredretrenchmentandanendtohigh-flyingbanksandaggressivecorporations
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XIX.PoliticsforthePeople
• 1840electiondemonstratedtwomajorchangesinpoliticssinceEraofGoodFeelings.• First,triumphofpopulistdemocraticstyle: • By1840s,aristocracywastaintedanddemocracywasrespectable• Politiciansforcedtocurryfavorwithvotingmasses• Wealthyandprominenthadtoforsakesocialpretensionsandcultivatecommontouchiftheyhopedtowinelections
XIX.PoliticsforthePeople(cont.)
• Commonmanmovingtocenterofnationalpoliticalstage• Americanowbowingtodivinerightofthepeople
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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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