The Age of Jackson 1824 1844 Essential Question

The Age of Jackson 1824 -1844

Essential Question • For some the election of Andrew Jackson brought about a revolutionary change in politics for the common man as opposed to it being a continuation of the trend toward greater voter participation. Support, modify, or refute this contention using specific evidence.

Jacksonian Democracy • Rise of a Democratic Society • Egalitarian • Classless society • Equality of opportunity • Specifically, white males • The ‘self-made man’ was the hero of this time

Expansion of Democracy • Universal Male Suffrage • Omission of religious and property requirements • Party Nominating Conventions • Anti-Masons develop an anti-caucus system • Popular Elections • Reemergence of the Two-Party System • Needed to organize campaigns • Rise of Third Parties • Anti-Masonic, Workingmen’s • Increase in # of Elected Offices • Popular Campaigning • Negative Campaigning • Spoils System

Jackson vs. Adams • Election of 1824 • The “Corrupt bargain” • President John Quincy Adams • Attempts to expand American System • Internal improvements, aid to manufacturing

Quick Research • Tariff of 1828 – “Abominations” • What was it? • How did southerners view it? • Impacts on the South?

The Jackson Administration • Revolution of 1828 • Impact of the Western vote • Symbol of the “Common Man” • Self-made man • Presidential Power • Strict Constructionist • The Veto (12) • More than previous 6 presidents… combined • Maysville Road • The Kitchen Cabinet • Closest advisors • Not the official Cabinet

Eaton Affair • Jackson defends Sec. of War’s wife • Other Cabinet wives were gossiping and refuse to accept her • Most of the Cabinet resigns • VP John C. Calhoun replaced by Martin Van Buren

Indian Removal Act (1830) • Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831) • Cherokee not a foreign nation • Can sue at the SCOTUS • Worcester v. Georgia (1832) • Marshall sides with natives • Natives have a right to the land • Trail of Tears

Power Struggles • Nullification Crisis • • SC nullifies Tariff of Abominations Webster-Hayne Debates (1830) Tariff of 1832 Force Bill • • Invasion of SC imminent Jackson “Nullification and disunion are treason” • Compromise Tariff of 1833 (Clay & Calhoun) • The Bank War • Bank benefits the wealthy, at the expense of the commoners • Biddle and the early re-charter (1832) • Veto • Election of 1832 • Jackson wins big

Two Party System Democrats Whigs Issues Supported • • Local Rule Limited Government Free Trade Opportunity for white males • National Bank • Federal funds for internal improvements • Protective tariff (The American System) Major Concerns • • Monopolies National bank High Tariffs High land prices • Crime associated w/immigrants Base of Voter Support • The South and West • Urban Workers • New England Mid. Atlantic states • Protestants of English heritage (WASP) • Urban professionals

Jackson’s 2 nd Term • “Pet” Banks • Transfer of federal funds to state banks • Results: • Unregulated loans and speculation • Specie Circular • Purchases of federal land must be made in gold and silver • Results: • Bank notes lose value • Land sales plummet • Panic of 1837

The Van Buren Administration • Election of 1836 • Whig strategy fails • Van Buren’s Inheritance: • Bank failures, panic, and depression • Enforcement of the Indian Removal Act • Martin “Van Ruin”

Election of 1840 • “Log Cabin and Hard Cider” Campaign • “Tippecanoe and Tyler, too” • 78% turnout (white males) • A Whig victory, but… • Tyler: the Democrat in Whig’s clothing • First VP to assume the presidency

Image Analysis – Trail of Tears

Primary Source Analysis: King Andrew I • • • C – Historical Context A – Audience P – Purpose P – Point of View ?

Andrew Jackson’s Shifting Legacy • Read analyze a historian’s take on Andrew Jackson • Highlight the important pieces of the argument. • What is the evidence they use to support these pieces? • Guiding Questions • What arguments can be made that Jackson’s presidency does not warrant the notoriety that it has? • What arguments can be made that it is deserving of such notoriety? • Why is Jackson considered an emblem of American Democracy? • What is the counter argument? • What argument is presented that portrays Jackson as a president for the “Common Man”? • What event has become synonymous with Andrew Jackson? • How would Jackson defend this action? How would other criticize it?