Democracy and Andrew Jackson

Democracy and Andrew Jackson From the War of 1812 to Pre-Civil War America

Theme of Today: What does it mean to be Democratic? 3 Aspects of Democracy: 1. Acting in the best interest of all people. 2. Promoting equality of all people 3. Respecting the Constitution

The War of 1812 • Combatants: United States and Great Britain -Why are they fighting? -GB and France at war; US helps both -GB wants to board American ships -When US refuses, GB blows up USS Chesapeake -US declares war on GB even though we were completely unprepared -US gets stomped; loses many battles, White House burned down -War ends for no real reason; zero territory exchanges hands

So where does Jackson fit in? • The Battle of New Orleans -Jackson leads American troops in “the greatest American victory of the war”, January 8, 1815 -Problem: The war had been over for two weeks -Jackson seen as war hero "Gentlemen, the British are below the city! We must fight them tonight." -- Gen. Andrew Jackson

Jackson’s rise to Power • Jackson’s victory makes him extremely popular, but he loses the election of 1824 -Actually, Jackson won the popular vote, but didn’t get enough electoral college votes. When the vote went to the House of Representatives, the Western, unsophisticated Jackson stood no chance. He lost to John Q. Adams. -Jackson begins campaigning immediately after the vote. He campaigns for 4 years and wins the election of 1828 in a landslide

Jackson: the “Common Man’s President” Three Areas of Contention #1: The Spoils System. After election, Jackson immediately removes 10 percent of all officeholders under his power and appoints his friends and supporters...known as “The Spoils System.” #2 Native American Policies. Congress then passes Jackson’s Indian Removal Act, allowing Jackson to move Native Americans off their land and to reservations west of the Mississippi River. #3 The Bank War. Jackson then attempts to eliminate the National Bank because he felt it was a “corrupt institution” that kept the common man down.

So was Jackson Democratic? • The Spoils System -Jackson removed 690 people from office and replaced them with friends and supporters (“to the victor goes the spoils”). -Allowed people who hadn’t previously been allowed in government to participate -Made decisions according to personal gain.

So was Jackson Democratic? • Indian Removal -Jackson took people from their homes, laced their blankets with smallpox, and forced them to walk hundreds of miles. -He claimed he was freeing up land for the American citizen (voters).

So was Jackson Democratic? • The Bank War -The National bank maintained US currency and maintained much of the economic wealth of the United States. -Jackson felt the Bank was a “privileged institution” that served only the interests of the wealthy and did nothing for the common man…”too much power, too few hands.” -Jackson defies vetoes the bank’s charter in 1836, and asked the Secretary of the Treasury to stop putting government money in the bank. When he refused, Jackson fired him and selected someone who would put money in state Banks (“Pet banks”) -Results: New political party (“Whigs”) created to oppose Jackson; Nation goes into a depression; Jackson ignores Checks and Balances; Constitutional problems.

Democratic or not? -Jackson’s goal was to help the common man and take the government away from the rich elite. In many ways, he did that. However, in doing so he contradicted many of the basic ideas of the Constitution and challenged long-held beliefs about the makeup of American democracy. So the question remains, “Was Andrew Jackson democratic?” You must decide that for yourself. Quote describing Andrew Jackson: “No one likes him, except the people." Jacksonian Democracy

Democracy and Andrew Jackson