Andrew Jackson: Andrew Jackson: Democrat or Democrat or Demagogue?Demagogue?

1) Andrew Jackson’s election as President marked the 1) Andrew Jackson’s election as President marked the beginning of a new age in American political history. Assess beginning of a new age in American political history. Assess the validity of this generalization. (71) the validity of this generalization. (71)

2) At various times between 1789 and 1861, Americans 2) At various times between 1789 and 1861, Americans changed their positions on the constitutional question of loose changed their positions on the constitutional question of loose construction or strict construction as best suited their economic construction or strict construction as best suited their economic or political interests. Discuss this statement with reference to or political interests. Discuss this statement with reference to any TWO individuals or groups who took positions on this any TWO individuals or groups who took positions on this constitutional question. (81) constitutional question. (81)

3) Although historically represented as distinct parties, the 3) Although historically represented as distinct parties, the Federalists and the Whigs in fact shared a common political Federalists and the Whigs in fact shared a common political ideology, represented many of the same interest groups, and ideology, represented many of the same interest groups, and proposed similar programs and policies. Assess the validity of proposed similar programs and policies. Assess the validity of the statement. (91)the statement. (91)

4) Analyze the extent to which Two of the following influenced 4) Analyze the extent to which Two of the following influenced the development of democracy between 1820 and 1840.the development of democracy between 1820 and 1840.– Jacksonian economic policyJacksonian economic policy Changes in electoral Changes in electoral

politicspolitics– Second Great Awakening Westward movement (96) Second Great Awakening Westward movement (96)

5) How did Two of the following contribute to the reemergence 5) How did Two of the following contribute to the reemergence of a two party system in the period 1820 to 1840?of a two party system in the period 1820 to 1840?– Major political personalities States’ rights Economic issues Major political personalities States’ rights Economic issues

(99)(99)

I. The Inauguration of Andrew I. The Inauguration of Andrew Jackson, 1829Jackson, 1829

Democrats: “triumph of Democrats: “triumph of great principle of self-great principle of self-government” and democracygovernment” and democracy

Validation after “corrupt Validation after “corrupt bargain” of 1824: JQA made bargain” of 1824: JQA made Henry Clay Secy’y State in Henry Clay Secy’y State in return for support in House return for support in House votevote– 2002 Doc I2002 Doc I

Jackson met people at White Jackson met people at White House afterward, informallyHouse afterward, informally

Huge crowd (20,000)Huge crowd (20,000) trash trash the placethe place

II. Growth of Mass PoliticsII. Growth of Mass Politics Jacksonian Democracy: growth of mass politics Jacksonian Democracy: growth of mass politics

(participation + techniques)(participation + techniques) began before AJ began before AJ (Jeffersonians)(Jeffersonians) AJ beneficiary AJ beneficiary

A. Change in AttitudesA. Change in Attitudes pre-1790s: parties are factionspre-1790s: parties are factions evil, should be evil, should be

stamped out entirelystamped out entirely 1790s: parties as necessary evil1790s: parties as necessary evil need to form to need to form to

protect nation against the others (Fed/D-R), who protect nation against the others (Fed/D-R), who are the real faction; once done, party will dissolveare the real faction; once done, party will dissolve

Post-1800: parties as positive goodPost-1800: parties as positive good educate + educate + involve voters in political processinvolve voters in political process necessary for necessary for mass democracymass democracy– 1990 Doc A1990 Doc A

B. Stages of DevelopmentB. Stages of Development

1) Expansion of electorate (collapse 1) Expansion of electorate (collapse prop req)prop req)

1810-1821: 6 western states 1810-1821: 6 western states w/minimal or no prop reqw/minimal or no prop req

4 old states ratify new constitutions 4 old states ratify new constitutions lowering/eliminating prop reqlowering/eliminating prop req

2. Jump in voter turnout2. Jump in voter turnout– 1828: 58%; 1840: 80%1828: 58%; 1840: 80%

2000: 51.3%2000: 51.3%

3. New efforts to mobilize3. New efforts to mobilize– Political rallies, parades, songs, Political rallies, parades, songs,

slogans, badges, picnics, mud slogans, badges, picnics, mud slinging + character assassinationslinging + character assassination Modern political tacticsModern political tactics Dangers of mobilization: Doc EDangers of mobilization: Doc E

George Caleb Bingham, “Stump Speaking”

“The County Election”

JQ Adams’ surrogates: Mrs. Jackson a JQ Adams’ surrogates: Mrs. Jackson a bigamist and adulterer (had not been bigamist and adulterer (had not been formally divorced)formally divorced)

Jackson’s surrogates: Mrs. Adams Jackson’s surrogates: Mrs. Adams illegitimateillegitimate– Aimed at wives, not candidates Aimed at wives, not candidates

themselvesthemselves

C. Developments Under C. Developments Under JacksonJackson

1) Spoils system: civil servants 1) Spoils system: civil servants appointed by past admin should be appointed by past admin should be tossed outtossed out patronage for party loyal patronage for party loyal

2) National party convention: 2) National party convention: previously nominated by state previously nominated by state legis./Congressional caucuslegis./Congressional caucus 1832 1832 11stst national convention national convention– Theory was more democratic, in fact Theory was more democratic, in fact

more liable to party machinationsmore liable to party machinations

III. “Old Hickory”: Symbol for III. “Old Hickory”: Symbol for an Agean Age

A. Life of JacksonA. Life of Jackson Born into dirt poor frontier family, Born into dirt poor frontier family,

rises up as lawyer (suing debtors), rises up as lawyer (suing debtors), land speculator, planter (the land speculator, planter (the Hermitage)Hermitage)

Served in political offices in Tenn. Served in political offices in Tenn. (state house, senate, supreme (state house, senate, supreme court; US Senate 1823-4)court; US Senate 1823-4)

Fought at age 13 in AR; led Tenn. Fought at age 13 in AR; led Tenn. militia against Creek in Alabama; militia against Creek in Alabama; Battle of New Orleans: gives nation Battle of New Orleans: gives nation something to be proud ofsomething to be proud of tours tours the nationthe nation– Compare to GW who goes home: AJ Compare to GW who goes home: AJ runningrunning for office not standing for office not standing

B. Jacksonian ValuesB. Jacksonian Values

1) “Nature’s Nobleman”: contact w/nature 1) “Nature’s Nobleman”: contact w/nature produces greatness; rose w/o family produces greatness; rose w/o family connections, political corruption, or formal connections, political corruption, or formal educationeducation– Disguises £300 inheritance from Irish relative Disguises £300 inheritance from Irish relative

that got him startedthat got him started AJ presented self as plain cultivator of soil AJ presented self as plain cultivator of soil

(but: lawyer, slave owner)(but: lawyer, slave owner) Anti-intellectualism: the “plowman” vs. the Anti-intellectualism: the “plowman” vs. the

“professor”“professor”

2. Man Chosen by God2. Man Chosen by God Evidence from miraculous victory at NO (14,000 Evidence from miraculous victory at NO (14,000

Brits vs. 4,000 Americans) and 1835 survived Brits vs. 4,000 Americans) and 1835 survived assassination attempt (Richard Lawrence)assassination attempt (Richard Lawrence)– G.W. Bush: “I feel like God wants me to run for President. G.W. Bush: “I feel like God wants me to run for President.

I can't explain it, but I sense my country is going to need I can't explain it, but I sense my country is going to need me. Something is going to happen... I know it won't be me. Something is going to happen... I know it won't be easy on me or my family, but God wants me to do it.”easy on me or my family, but God wants me to do it.”

3. Man of Iron Will3. Man of Iron Will

1806 duel w/Charles Dickinson 1806 duel w/Charles Dickinson (remarks about AJ’s wife): CD best (remarks about AJ’s wife): CD best shot in Tennshot in Tenn lets CD fire first lets CD fire first AJ AJ hit but makes no sign, fires and kills hit but makes no sign, fires and kills CDCD

AJ hit near the heart, walked off field AJ hit near the heart, walked off field w/o making sign injured w/o making sign injured – (bullet could not be removed)(bullet could not be removed)

C. Election 1828C. Election 1828

AJ offered stability AJ offered stability in middle of in middle of tumultuous timetumultuous time

BUT: AJ instrument BUT: AJ instrument of that change: of that change: market, expansion, market, expansion, Indian Removal, Indian Removal, land speculation, land speculation, mass politicsmass politics

IV. Democrat or IV. Democrat or Demagogue?Demagogue?

A. DemocratA. Democrat AJ claimed to be man of the people: only AJ claimed to be man of the people: only

position in 1828 was that Adams a position in 1828 was that Adams a monocrat + aristocratmonocrat + aristocrat

AJ idealized “producers” (ind. AJ idealized “producers” (ind. workingmen: farmers, laborers, artisans) workingmen: farmers, laborers, artisans) vs. “parasites” (bankers, lawyers)vs. “parasites” (bankers, lawyers)

Probably really believed it even though Probably really believed it even though sued “producers” for “parasites”sued “producers” for “parasites”

Wanted limited gov’t: Gov’t used by rich Wanted limited gov’t: Gov’t used by rich against pooragainst poor

Believed in State power over central gov’t: Believed in State power over central gov’t: 1830 vetoed Maysville Road bill1830 vetoed Maysville Road bill Fed should Fed should not fund projects w/in single statenot fund projects w/in single state– Also hurt Henry Clay’s (KY) nationalist programAlso hurt Henry Clay’s (KY) nationalist program

pay backpay back Argued that spoils system made gov’t more Argued that spoils system made gov’t more

responsiveresponsive bureaucracy would support bureaucracy would support new Pres. rather than obstruct (new Pres. rather than obstruct (Marbury v. Marbury v. MadisonMadison))

Feared centralization of economic power: Feared centralization of economic power: opposed fed support banks + paper moneyopposed fed support banks + paper money– Nostalgic for Jeffersonian America: yeoman, ruralNostalgic for Jeffersonian America: yeoman, rural

B. DemagogueB. Demagogue

1. “Imperial” President: reduced fed 1. “Imperial” President: reduced fed power, increased Pres’l powerpower, increased Pres’l power spoils system, Kitchen Cabinet, spoils system, Kitchen Cabinet, violated separation powers + checks violated separation powers + checks and balancesand balances– Indian Removal (Doc G)Indian Removal (Doc G)– Veto: Doc B vs CVeto: Doc B vs C

2. Nullification Crisis2. Nullification Crisis 1828: Congress raises high tariffs (protect 1828: Congress raises high tariffs (protect

North)North) South “Tariff of Abominations” South “Tariff of Abominations” John C. Calhoun, South Carolina, John C. Calhoun, South Carolina, Exposition Exposition

and Protestand Protest: states can nullify fed laws (VA + : states can nullify fed laws (VA + KY Resolves); state sovereigntyKY Resolves); state sovereignty– JC Vice PresidentJC Vice President– Doc FDoc F

1832: SC nullifies tariff laws (’28 + ’32)1832: SC nullifies tariff laws (’28 + ’32) AJ AJ privately threatened to invade SC and hang privately threatened to invade SC and hang JC; JC;

Publicly: moved troops to fed forts in SC, Publicly: moved troops to fed forts in SC, issued proclamation denying nullification, issued proclamation denying nullification, Force ActForce Act authority to call up troops authority to call up troops

3. Bank War3. Bank War Second Bank of the US (charter to Second Bank of the US (charter to

expire 1836): private bank, federal expire 1836): private bank, federal fundsfunds power over state banks, power over state banks, concerns from Panic of 1819concerns from Panic of 1819 opposition (esp. western + urban opposition (esp. western + urban workers)workers)– Nicholas Biddle (bank pres.) operated Bank Nicholas Biddle (bank pres.) operated Bank

for owners’ benefit, seen as eastern for owners’ benefit, seen as eastern patricianpatrician

NB allies w/ H. Clay and Daniel Webster NB allies w/ H. Clay and Daniel Webster (Mass.) to protect Bank in 1832 (Mass.) to protect Bank in 1832 electionelection asked Congress to re-charter asked Congress to re-charter Bank in 1832 (hoping that AJ wouldn’t Bank in 1832 (hoping that AJ wouldn’t risk the loss of PA voters (where BUS risk the loss of PA voters (where BUS located)located)

The lady holding a bottle of port says, "Darken his daylights, Nick. Put the Screws to him my tulip!" Daniel Webster: "Blow me tight if Nick ain't been crammed too much. You see as how he's losing his wind!" Henry Clay: "Hurrah Nick my kiddy! Hit him a pelt in the smellers!" Martin Van Buren: "Go it Hickory, my old Duffer! give it to him in the bread basket, it will make him throw up his deposits!" Major Jack Downing (a mythical Jacksonian hero): "I swan if the Ginral hain't been taken lessons from Fuller!" The man standing next to the whiskey bottle: "Hurrah my old yallow flower of the forrest, walk into him like a streak of Greased lightning through a gooseberry bush!"

AJ vetoes the BUS bill AJ vetoes the BUS bill and wins election and wins election easilyeasily declares war declares war on bankon bank deposits deposits Fed $ in “pet banks” + Fed $ in “pet banks” + Deposit Act (1836)Deposit Act (1836) state banks take on state banks take on function of BUS but function of BUS but under AJ’s controlunder AJ’s control

““King Andrew I”King Andrew I”– National RepublicansNational Republicans

Whigs vs. DemocratsWhigs vs. Democrats

4. The Veto4. The Veto

AJ vetoed more bills than all prev. Pres AJ vetoed more bills than all prev. Pres combinedcombined Congress had to consider Congress had to consider possible veto when debatingpossible veto when debating Pres Pres became true rival/equal power for 1became true rival/equal power for 1stst timetime

AJ believed he imposed his will as the AJ believed he imposed his will as the will of the peoplewill of the people could ignore/override could ignore/override those who opposed him (BUS, Clay, those who opposed him (BUS, Clay, Congress, John Marshall, Cherokees, Congress, John Marshall, Cherokees, etc.)etc.)