Andrew Jackson: 1767 - 1845

1. Andrew Jackson: 1767 - 1845

2. Essential Question: Champion of the “Common Man”? “King”Andrew? OR

3. Andrew Jackson • Born in N.C. • Captured by the British @ 13 during the Revolution • Had a sporadic education, studied law • Elected to the TN Senate, TN Supreme Court • Planter/merchant • Hermitage • General in the War of 1812, Battle of New Orleans • Known as an “Indian Fighter”, conquered the Seminoles in FL • Nicknamed “Old Hickory”

4. Andrew Jackson • Election of 1828 • Increased democracy • Universal white male suffrage in almost every state • Rapid growth of the electorate had helped Jackson win the White House • Alexis de Tocqueville • French Aristocrat • Spent 2 years in the U.S. watching the political changes • Wrote Democracy in America, a study of American life • What are some things that he recognizes about America compared to Europe? • What did he notice as the limits to American democracy?

5. Voting Requirements in the Early 19c

6. Why Increased Democratization? • White male suffrage increased • Party nominating committees. • Voters chose their state’s slate of Presidential electors. • Spoils system. • Rise of Third Parties. • Popular campaigning (parades, rallies, floats, etc.)

7. The 1828 Election • Jackson’s campaign was engineered by Senator Martin Van Buren of NY • He wanted to recreate the old Jeffersonian coalition of: • Northern farmers and artisans. • Southern slave owners. • Farmers with small land holdings. • He created the Democratic Party from the remains of Jefferson’s old party: • Created a national committee that oversaw local and state party units. • Mass meetings, parades, picnics. • A lot of political mudslinging on both sides.

8. 1828 Election Results

9. The Reign of “King Mob”

10. The Center of Population in theCountry Moves WEST

11. The New “Jackson Coalition” • The Planter Elite in the South • People on the Frontier • Artisans [competition from factory labor]. • Immigrants in the cities.

12. The Age of Jackson • Jackson embraced a simple theory of democracy • “Equal protection and equal benefits” • Jackson’s beliefs reflected the idea of the “common man” over the “eastern aristocracy” • Spoils System • “To the victors belong the spoils” • Putting those loyal to the party in the federal positions • End of the caucus system • Jackson and supporters believed it favored the political elite • Jackson’s party was the first to hold a convention • Jackson wanted to reduce the functions of the federal government • Believed in a strong executive branch • Preservation of the Union

13. Jackson as Satan Dangles the Spoils of Victory over his Supporters

14. Jackson’s Faith in the “Common Man” • Intense distrust of Eastern“establishment,” monopolies, & special privilege. • His heart & soul was with the“plain folk.” • Belief that the common man was capable of uncommon achievements.

15. The Age of Jackson • “Kitchen Cabinet” • Jackson’s unofficial advisors • Political allies • Included newspaper editors, why??? • Peggy Eaton Affair • Wife of Sec. of War John Eaton’s wife was ostracized by the wives of the cabinet socially • John C. Calhoun’s wife led the charge • “The Petticoat Affair”

17. The Nullifiers

18. The Nullification Crisis • Tariff of Abominations (Tariff of 1828) • Many in the south believed that it was to blame for the stagnate economy • Some in S.C. began to call for secession, John C. Calhoun found himself at the center of this debate • South Carolina Exposition and Protest • Modeled after the VA and KY Resolutions • The theory of Nullification • A state could nullify a law that it deemed unconstitutional

19. The Nullification Crisis • Hayne – Webster Debate • A series of speeches given by Robert Hayne of S.C. and Daniel Webster of Massachusetts • Hayne in support of states rights (going back to the tariff issue and the theory of nullification) • Webster in the support of the Union- “Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable” • Jackson’s response • “ Our Federal Union- It must be preserved” • Calhoun- “The Union, next to our Liberty most dear”

20. The Nullification Crisis • 1832, the Crisis deepens when a new tariff was passed • S.C. held a state convention and voted to nullify the tariff of 1828 and 1832 • Jackson said it was treason, he strengthen federal forts in S.C. • Henry Clay “The Great Compromiser” • The tariff would be lowered over a period of 5 years

21. Native Americans

22. Indian Removal * Americans had con

23. Indian Removal

24. Trail of Tears (1838-1839)

25. Jackson’s Professed “Love” forNative Americans

26. Vs. The National Bank Thinks bank is the tool of wealthy Vetoes its charter in 1832 Places Federal money is state banks Causes Panic of 1837

27. The National Bank Debate PresidentJackson NicholasBiddle[an arrogant aristocrat from Philadelphia]

28. The Bank & the 1832 Election • Jackson saw Biddle’s pushing forward a bill to renew the Bank’s charter earlier as an attempt to block his re-election! • Biddle & his associates preferred Clay. • Jackson refused to sign the bill to re-charter. • The Bank is trying to destroy me, but I will destroy it! • Jackson drops Calhoun and runs with Martin Van Buren. • BUT, both parties [Democrats & Whigs] had contradictory positions regarding their party principles, to many of the issues of the day!

29. Opposition to the 2nd B.U.S. “Soft”(paper) $ “Hard”(specie) $ • state bankers feltit restrained theirbanks from issuingbank notes freely. • supported rapid economic growth & speculation. • felt that coin was the only safecurrency. • didn’t like any bankthat issued banknotes. • suspicious of expansion &speculation.

30. The “Monster” Is Destroyed! • “Pet Banks” • 1832  Jackson vetoed the extension of the 2nd National Bank of the United States. • 1836  the charter expired. • 1841  the bank went bankrupt!

31. The Downfall of “Mother Bank”

32. Positions on the Key Issues of 1832 WHIGS DEMOCRATS • Felt the widening gap between rich and poor was alarming. • Believed that bankers, merchants, and speculators were “non-producers” who used their govt. connections to line their own pockets. • Govt. should have a hands-off approach to the economy to allow the little guy a chance to prosper. • For Indian removal. • Oppose tariffs. • States’ rights. • Oppose federal support for internal improvements. • Opposed the National Bank. • Less concerned about the widening gap between rich and poor. • Opposed “liberal capitalism” because they believed it would lead to economic chaos. • Strong national govt. to coordinate the expanding economy was critical. • Opposes Indian removal. • Favored tariffs. • Supported a National Bank.

33. 1832 Election Results

34. Creation of the modern Democratic Party Protection of popular democracy Expanded use of the presidential veto

35. The 1836 Election Results Martin Van Buren “Old Kinderhook”[O. K.]

36. Results of the Failure of the B.U.S. • Banknotes loose their value. • Land sales plummeted. • Credit not available. • Businesses began to fail. • Unemployment rose. The Panic of 1837!

37. The Panic of 1837 Hits Everyone!

38. William Henry Harrison • * Harrison was the first candidate to • campaign actively for office • * “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too!!!

39. Election of 1840 Harrison won the election Gave the longest inaugural address… 1 hour and 45 min Developed pneumonia and died 1 month after taking the oath of office

40. John Tyler CRAZY JOHN TYLER FACT!!!! • Only included on the ticket to win southern votes • Not really aligned with Whig policies…expelled from the party • Did not nominate a V.P. • Set the precedent for succession • Press called him “His Accidency”