The Age of Jackson

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The Age of Jackson
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The Essential QuestionJacksonian Democrats
viewed themselves as the guardians of the
Constitution, political democracy, individual
liberty, and equality of economic opportunity.
To what extent do you agree with the Jacksonians
view of themselves? (1990 DBQ)
Champion of the Common Man?
KingAndrew?
OR
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What were the democratic trends of the 19th
century?
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Voting Requirements by 1830
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Voter Turnout 1820-1860
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Why political democratization?

• Easing or eliminating property requirements ?
  white male suffrage increases
• People select the electoral college
• Party nominating committees
• Popular campaigning (parades, rallies, floats,
  barbecues, etc.)

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Election of 1824

• The Common Mans presidential candidate

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Jacksons Opponents in 1824
John Quincy AdamsMA
John C. CalhounSC
Henry ClayKY
William H. CrawfordGA
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Election Results

• A Corrupt
• Bargain?

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John Quincy Adams

• Doesnt understand the political climate
• Proposes for internal improvements
• Most Democrats are against it
• New York they already paid for the Eerie Canal
• Clings to the idea of the President as above
  party politics

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Election of 1828

• Rise of the second American party system
• John Quincy Adams National republicans
• Andrew Jackson Democratic Party
• Vicious election

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1828 Election Results
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The New Jackson Coalition

• Planter elite in the South
• People on the Frontier
• State politicians spoils system
• Immigrants in cities

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Jacksons faith in the Common Man

• Intense distrust of the Eastern establishment,
  monopolies, special privilege
• Hates Henry Clay and his American System
• His heart soul were with the plain folk
• Believed the common man was capable of uncommon
  achievements

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The Reign of King Mob
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Andrew Jackson as President
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Economic Improvements

• Maysville Road Veto
• Jackson vetoes a bill that would give federal
  for a road only in Kentucky
• Says its unconstitutional
• But not totally against sending federal to
  states
• Spoils system
• Pet Banks

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Indian Removal

• White farmers want Native American land east of
  the Mississippi
• Cherokees in Georgia
• Have their own Constitution
• Georgia nullifies it, says theyre tenants of
  Georgia
• Indian Removal Act
• Gives states the authority to take over Native
  American land states rights
• Jackson sends in the army to round up the Indians
  and move them West

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Indian Removal
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The Trail of Tears, 1838-1839
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The Nullification Crisis

• Tariff of Abominations 1828
• Raised protective tariff to 50
• Opposed in the South
• Europe wont buy cotton
• They cant afford manufactured goods
• Thought was unconstitutional
• Is outlawing slavery next?
• Nat Turners rebellion South Carolina is scared

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The Nullification Crisis

• 1832 new tariff lowered
• But not enough for South Carolina
• S. Carolina (led by Calhoun)
• The South Carolina Exposition and Protest
• State could declare an act of the national
  government null and void
• State could leave the union if forced to follow
  the law
• S. Carolina nullifies the 1828 and 1832 tariff
• Jacksons response
• Force Bill can put down S. Carolina by military
  force
• Loses southern support
• Clays Compromise Tariff of 1833
• The Great Compromiser

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The Bank War
NicholasBiddle
PresidentJackson
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The Bank War

• 2nd National Bank up for re-chartering
• Made loans that increased economic expansion
• Jacksons arguments against the bank
• Distrusts banks
• Gave out paper loans fluctuated in value
• Wildcat Banks in the West
• Privileged
• Run by a few elites
• Could hurt the states like in the Panic of 1819
• Jackson vetoes the re-chartering in 1832
• Banks charter expires in 1836
• Bank is bankrupt by 1841

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1832 Election Results
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The Specie Circular (1836)

• Government puts its money in state pet banks
• Can buy federal land only with gold and silver
• Results
• Banknotes lose their value
• Land sales plummet
• Credit not available
• Businesses begin to fail
• Unemployment rises
• Whig Party forms to oppose Jacksons Democrats

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1836 Election Results
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Jacksons Aftermath

• Panic of 1837
• Van Buren blamed
• Independent Treasury System lets get rid of
  banks altogether!
• No way he is reelected
• Election of 1840
• William Henry Harrison (Whig) wins
• Dies Tyler takes over not a real Whig
• Election of 1844
• James Polk (Democrat) wins
• Expansionist Texas!