The Rise of Mass Democracy

1824-1840

AP U.S. History

Essential QuestionHow did Jacksonian Democracy change

American politics and power in the United States?

The “Corrupt Bargain” of 1824No one got a majority of Electoral Votes in the election of 1824. Thus, the House of Representatives decided (as per the 12th Amendment), which was led by Henry Clay. John Quincy Adams was chosen to be president and Adams picked Henry Clay to be Secretary of State.

A corrupt bargain has been struck!

Whatever dude.

Thanks Henry!

Everyone’s a “Republican!”(Era of Good Feelings)

John Quincy Adams

Henry Clay

Andrew Jackson

A Yankee Misfit in the White House Adams was committed to being a good president, but his administration was generally

seen as a failure. Adams didn’t see the changes that were occurring in American society and politics.

John Quincy Adams

Fateful Decision of President Adams

1. He didn’t like interacting with voters or other politicians.

2. He did not win the popular vote (not even close).

3. Adams refused to practice the Spoils System.

4. He was nationalistic even though the public was turning toward states’ rights and sectionalism.

5. He tried to treat the Cherokee Indians in Georgia fairly.

I was a one-term president, just like my dad.

Going “Whole Hog” for Jackson in 1828 Andrew Jackson’s appeal to the common people arose partly because he had risen

from the masses and reflected many of their prejudices in his personal attitudes and outlook.

Huzza for Jackson!!

Jackson

Southern woman

Western Farmer

I rose from the masses – I’m for

the common man!

I got spanked. Damn the West

and South!

The Spoils System One political development that illustrated the new popular voice in politics was the

growth of the spoils system as a basis for large political “machines.”

Jackson

Loyalty to party is better than loyalty to region or economic class. Democracy

rules!

I’ll get people to vote Democrat. In return, I want money and key government positions

for our allies.

William “Boss” Tweed

Famous leader of the New York City Democratic political “machine” in the 1850s.

First president to be nominated at a formal party convention.

The Tricky “Tariff of Abominations” In the battle over the “Tariff of Abominations,” New England backed high tariffs while

the South demanded lower duties.

We have to buy stuff at a higher price too! Down

with the tariff.

We have to sell our crops on the open market. We don’t get a

tariff but New England

does? – Lame!

The tariff protects

manufacturing. I love the tariff!

Southerner

Westerner

New Englander

What do I do?!

President Jackson

Under the surface of the South’s strong opposition to the “Tariff of Abominations” was a fear of growing federal power that might interfere with slaver.

“Nullies” in South Carolina

The West had rising property values and a growing population – good times.

The Southwest was expanding into new cotton lands – good times. The Old South was economically

stagnant and feared a stronger national government would outlaw slavery – bad times.

South Carolina should nullify the Federal tariff.

Show Congress who is boss!

John C. Calhoun

Some southeastern Indian tribes like the Cherokees were notable for their development of effective agricultural, educational, and political institutions. It did not matter, the Indian Removal Act of 1830 forced Native Americans west of the Mississippi onto Indian Territory. President Jackson was told by the Supreme Court to let the Cherokee stay; Jackson ignored the court.

The Trail of Tears

Jackson

I’m protecting

Indians from the Whites. So, you gotta

leave Cherokee.

We created an alphabet, learned to read and write, became farmers, and even

owned slaves. You still want us to leave our land?

Not fair!

Did you know I helped

force Indians out of Illinois

under the Indian

Removal Act?

Wait! The Supreme

Court says you have a

right to stay!

SequoyahJohn Marshall

Abraham Lincoln

Jackson’s veto of the Bank of the United States recharter bill represented a bold assertion of presidential power on behalf of western farmers and other debtors. After all, the Supreme Court, in McCulloch v. Maryland, already ruled the Bank constitutional and Congress, by passing a bill to renew the charter of the Bank by a large margin, was presumably acting on behalf of the people.

The Bank War

Jackson

The Bank is not

accountable to the people and

its unconstitution

al!

Renew the Charter to the

Bank!

WebsterClay

One important result of President Jackson’s destruction of the Bank of the United States was the lack of a stable banking system to finance the era of rapid industrialization.

Burying Biddle’s Bank

Jackson

I hate the Bank and the president of the Bank – Nicholas Biddle!

Wildcat banks out West issued paper money like toilet paper (so speculators could buy more Western land) without the Bank of the U.S. there to regulate the economy.

Jackson ordered the Treasury to issue Specie Circular (metallic money made with Silver or gold) to slow the economy. This caused a crash.

Among the new political developments that appeared in the election of 1832 were Third-party campaigning, national conventions (the National Republicans, Anti-Masons, and Democrats do this) and party platforms (the parties publicize their positions).

The Election of 1832 and the Birth of Whigs

The Anti-Masonic Party was a third party - a first for America. They campaigned against privilege and monopoly. They also wanted moral and religious reform.

I run for president…again.

They all get together to form the Whig Party. What united them? Their hatred of Jackson.

The Bank of the U.S. was a good

thing, bro.

CalhounWebster

Clay

Whatever. I’m awesome.

in the Immediate aftermath of the successful Texas Revolution Texas petitioned to join the United States but was refused admission.

Gone to Texas

We defeated the Mexicans. We want to join the Union

now.

Never will the North allow Texas to be

admitted as a slave state!

You have defeated me, but not

Mexico.

Sorry Texas, you gotta wait. And shut up Jackson.

Santa Anna

President Van Buren

Sam Houston Stephen Austin

Daniel Webster

You suck as my successor.

Jackson

1. How did the elections of 1828 – 1840 reflect changes in American politics?

2. What was Jacksonian Democracy?

Questions to Consider