C H A P T E R 1 0 . 3

THE AGE OF JACKSON

WHAT I SHOULD KNOW AFTER WE STUDY 10:3

•Andrew Jackson•Suffrage•Caucus•Nominating convention•Spoils System

WHAT I KNOW

• 4: I can explain to the class how the nation reflected a growing sense of national pride and identity in first half of the 1800’s.

• 3: I can explain why the Worchester v Cherokee landmark decision affects Oklahoma

• 2: I know why the Era of Good Feeling lasted for a very short time in history and how America responded to the revolutions in Latin America.

• 1: I can explain how the three important Supreme Court Rulings (McCulloch v. Maryland, Dartmouth College v. Woodward and Gibbons v. Ogden) outraged States’ Rights advocates.

• 0: I do not know how Americans built national unity and a stronger national economy but I am ready to learn.

WHY IT MATTERS

• How did the people gain more power during the Age of Jackson?

ADAMS AND JACKSON IN CONFLICT

• President from 1829-1837: 2 terms• His presidency marked the era of change in

American political life• Called “Age of Jackson” or “Jacksonian Era”

ELECTION OF 1824

• Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay, William H. Crawford. • Jackson won most electoral votes but not a

majority• Per Constitution, House of Representatives

select President if no majority• Speaker of House Henry Clay persuaded

House of Representatives to vote for John Q. Adams• Jackson furious!• Henry Clay selected by Adams to be

Secretary of State• Jackson yells “Corrupt Bargaining”

PRESIDENCY OF JOHN Q. ADAMS

• Broke from Democrat-Republican party to be National Republic party• Wanted federal government to play large role in

American’s life• Wanted to support Clay’s American System and

build transportation systems and Universities • Adams never really accomplished his dreams

because no public support• Served only one term

A NEW ERA OF POLITICS

• Increased the right to vote by allowing all white adult men to vote• More ‘ordinary’ white males were able to hold

public office

DEMOCRACY IN THE AGE OF JACKSON

• Extending right to vote spread democratic ideas• Jackson and his supported opposed special

privileges for those of high social status

• Wealthy were threatened by Jackson’s ideas. Why?• “the rich and the poor, the educated and the

ignorant, the polite and vulgar, all ….feed at the same table.”• Jackson did not trust government, the rich and

powerful.• Hated the National bank! Why?

NEW POLITICAL PARTIES

• Age of Jackson brought Back two party system; National Republicans and Democrats• Democrat party we have today was born from

Age of Jackson• In 1836 anti-Jackson forces formed a new party,

The Whigs

JACKSON BECOMES PRESIDENT

• Elected in 1828 in landslide election• Growing sectional and class division among

voters• Victory for the “Common Man” per Jackson• Page 353 quote• Inaugural Party was a brawl

THE SPOILS OF VICTORY

• Jackson replaced government officials with his supporters• Spoils system is the practice of rewarding

government jobs to loyal supporters of the party that wins an election