““The government of The government of democracy brings the democracy brings the notion of political rights to the level of the notion of political rights to the level of the humblest citizens, just as the dissemination humblest citizens, just as the dissemination of wealth brings the notion of property of wealth brings the notion of property within the reach of all the members of the within the reach of all the members of the community.”community.”

Alexis de Tocqueville Alexis de Tocqueville

Democracy in America Democracy in America

The greatest danger facing our The greatest danger facing our nation is privilege. Society should nation is privilege. Society should have the goal of eliminating the have the goal of eliminating the

powerful elites and make powerful elites and make opportunity more widely available.opportunity more widely available.

Egalitarians? Egalitarians?

NoNo

I accepted the I accepted the necessity of economic necessity of economic inequality and social inequality and social gradation. But I did gradation. But I did believe that people can believe that people can rise to prominence on rise to prominence on the basis of their own the basis of their own talents and energies.talents and energies.

The goal of people in public life was to ensureThe goal of people in public life was to ensurethat others like themselves would have the that others like themselves would have the opportunity to do the same.opportunity to do the same.

J. Story J. Story

Jackson’s inauguration Jackson’s inauguration was the reign of King was the reign of King

Mob.Mob.

Ohio—first voting Ohio—first voting changes: white male changes: white male property owners property owners orortaxpayers taxpayers

Massachusetts—Massachusetts—led by Daniel led by Daniel Webster, Webster, remained remained conservative conservative

Rhode Island (1842) Rhode Island (1842) Thomas Wilson DorrThomas Wilson Dorr

Liberal constitution—liked by peopleLiberal constitution—liked by peopleGovernor Samuel W. King opposedGovernor Samuel W. King opposedDorr’s RebellionDorr’s RebellionLed to new constitutionLed to new constitution

Expanded suffrageExpanded suffrage

U. S. Election: 1824: <27% white males votedU. S. Election: 1824: <27% white males voted1828: 58%; 1840: 80%1828: 58%; 1840: 80%

Higher voter participation Higher voter participation

First in New YorkFirst in New York

Martin van Buren: Martin van Buren: dissident faction: dissident faction: Bucktails or the Bucktails or the Albany Regency Albany Regency

Simple theory of democracySimple theory of democracy

Equal protection and equal benefits Equal protection and equal benefits Extended opportunities to rising Extended opportunities to rising classes of West & South at classes of West & South at expense of East expense of East

Slavery & brutality toward N. A. Slavery & brutality toward N. A.

Only keeping these dangerous Only keeping these dangerous elements from the body politic could elements from the body politic could white, male democracy be preserved.white, male democracy be preserved.

Target: entrenched office-holders in federal Target: entrenched office-holders in federal government government

Jackson removed less Jackson removed less than 20% bureaucrats,than 20% bureaucrats,But, he helped create But, he helped create The system where elected officials appoint The system where elected officials appoint Their own followers to public office Their own followers to public office

The Spoils System The Spoils System

To the victor belong To the victor belong the spoils.the spoils.

National party convention—re-National party convention—re-nominated Jackson in 1832 (power nominated Jackson in 1832 (power rising directly from the people, not rising directly from the people, not from aristocratic political from aristocratic political institutions)institutions)

How did my supporters change the How did my supporters change the process by which presidential process by which presidential candidates won their party’s candidates won their party’s

nominations?nominations?

The Limited Nature of Democratic ReformThe Limited Nature of Democratic Reform

The The spoils system and the political conventionspoils system and the political convention did did serve to serve to limit limit thethe power of power of two entrenched two entrenched elites: elites: permanent officeholders and permanent officeholders and the the exclusive party caucus. But, neither really exclusive party caucus. But, neither really transferred power to the people.transferred power to the people.

Appointments: to prominent political alliesAppointments: to prominent political alliesDelegates: members of local partyDelegates: members of local party

organizationsorganizationsPolitical opportunity was expanding, but much Political opportunity was expanding, but much less so than Jacksonian rhetoric suggestedless so than Jacksonian rhetoric suggested

•Leader in SenateLeader in Senate•Secretary of War under Secretary of War under President MonroePresident Monroe•Vice President under Vice President under President J. Q. Adams and President J. Q. Adams and JacksonJacksonConsummate Politician Consummate Politician

Tariff of Abominations Tariff of Abominations

Theory of Nullification Theory of Nullification Federal Government was a creation of Federal Government was a creation of the states, therefore the states, the states, therefore the states, not not Congress or the federal courtsCongress or the federal courts, were, were

the final arbiters of federal laws the final arbiters of federal laws Therefore,Therefore, if a state believed that Congress had if a state believed that Congress had passed an unconstitutional law, it could passed an unconstitutional law, it could hold a hold a special convention and special convention and declare that law null anddeclare that law null and void within the state void within the state

Martin van BurenMartin van Buren

Governor of New York in Governor of New York in 182818281829: Secretary of State1829: Secretary of StateMember of both the officialMember of both the official cabinet and the “Kitchencabinet and the “Kitchen Cabinet”Cabinet”

The Eaton The Eaton AffairAffair

Further diminished Calhoun’s position Further diminished Calhoun’s position while while enhancing that of Van Buren—ended enhancing that of Van Buren—ended Calhoun’s dreams of becoming president Calhoun’s dreams of becoming president

Nullification is TREASON! No state Nullification is TREASON! No state can defy the federal government can defy the federal government

alone. I’ll send in the Army to alone. I’ll send in the Army to enforce the tariff and I’ll have enforce the tariff and I’ll have

Calhoun hung!!!Calhoun hung!!!

As a senator from Kentucky, I, As a senator from Kentucky, I, Henry Clay, supported the force Henry Clay, supported the force

bill bill (use of military)(use of military) and brokered and brokered a compromise that gradually a compromise that gradually

lowered the tariff so in 1842 it lowered the tariff so in 1842 it would be at the same level as in would be at the same level as in

1816.1816.

The Black Hawk War The Black Hawk War

The five Civilized Tribes: The five Civilized Tribes: Cherokee, Creek, Seminole, Chickasaw Cherokee, Creek, Seminole, Chickasaw and Choctawand Choctaw

Indian Removal Act of Indian Removal Act of 18301830Money to finance federal negotiations Money to finance federal negotiations with the with the southern tribes—try to relocate to Westsouthern tribes—try to relocate to West Jackson dispatched federal troops Jackson dispatched federal troops Marshall: Marshall:

Cherokee Nation v. Georgia Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831)(1831)Worcester v. Georgia Worcester v. Georgia (1832) (1832) partially vindicated the tribepartially vindicated the tribe

John Marshall has made his John Marshall has made his decision. Let him now enforce decision. Let him now enforce it.it.

Trail of Tears Trail of Tears

The Indian Intercourse Act of 1834The Indian Intercourse Act of 1834

Second Bank of the United States Second Bank of the United States

Most powerful financial Most powerful financial institution institution

Only place the federal Only place the federal government could deposit government could deposit funds funds

Federal government owned 20% of stock and Federal government owned 20% of stock and did tremendous business in general banking. It did tremendous business in general banking. It provided credit to growing enterprises and provided credit to growing enterprises and issued bank notesissued bank notes

Hard Money vs. Soft MoneyHard Money vs. Soft Money

Soft Money: more currency in Soft Money: more currency in circulationcirculationIssuing banknotes unsupported by Issuing banknotes unsupported by gold or gold or silver was the best way to circulate silver was the best way to circulate more more currencycurrencyObjected to Bank of the United States Objected to Bank of the United States because it restrained state banks because it restrained state banks from from issuing notes freelyissuing notes freelyWanted rapid expansionWanted rapid expansion

Hard Money vs. Soft MoneyHard Money vs. Soft Money

Hard Money: Gold & silver only currency Hard Money: Gold & silver only currency basisbasisCondemned all banks that issued bank Condemned all banks that issued bank notesnotesConservative approach to expansion Conservative approach to expansion I was a hard money I was a hard money

advocateadvocatebecause a business I because a business I owned failed as a result of owned failed as a result of the Panic of 1797. I was the Panic of 1797. I was therefore suspicious of therefore suspicious of banks and paper banks and paper currency.currency.

Nicholas Biddle Nicholas Biddle President of the Bank of President of the Bank of the the United StatesUnited StatesPut bank on a sound and Put bank on a sound and prosperous basisprosperous basisGranted financial favors to Granted financial favors to influential men (Webster influential men (Webster and and Clay)Clay)1832: asked Congress to 1832: asked Congress to renew bank’s charter 4 renew bank’s charter 4 years years Early (campaign issue)Early (campaign issue)

Election of 1832 Election of 1832

The object of government was to The object of government was to promote the general happiness, anpromote the general happiness, an object that took precedence over object that took precedence over the rights of contract and property.the rights of contract and property.A state, therefore, had the right to A state, therefore, had the right to amend or abrogate a contract if amend or abrogate a contract if such action was necessary to such action was necessary to advance community well-being.advance community well-being.Furthered Jacksonian idealFurthered Jacksonian ideal

Roger B. Taney Roger B. Taney Charles River Bridge v. Warren Charles River Bridge v. Warren BridgeBridge (1837) (1837)

Whigs DemocratsWhigs Democrats

The Whig Party and the GreatThe Whig Party and the Great Triumvirate Triumvirate

H. ClayH. Clay D. Webster J. Calhoun D. Webster J. Calhoun

The Panic of 1837 The Panic of 1837

Log Cabin Campaign Log Cabin Campaign

Harrison Tyler Van Buren No VP CandHarrison Tyler Van Buren No VP Cand WhigWhig DemocratDemocrat

Harrison: portrayed as a man of the people,Harrison: portrayed as a man of the people,simple, who loved log cabins and hard cider;simple, who loved log cabins and hard cider;really was an elitereally was an eliteWhigs portrayed Van Buren: aloof aristocrat Whigs portrayed Van Buren: aloof aristocrat

Penny Press—the first modern election Penny Press—the first modern election Election of 1840 Election of 1840

John Tyler as PresidentJohn Tyler as President

Former Democrat who Former Democrat who had left the party in had left the party in reaction to Jacksonreaction to JacksonGoverned as a DemocratGoverned as a Democrat Abolished Van Buren’sAbolished Van Buren’s independent treasuryindependent treasury

Refused to support Clay’s attempt to re-Refused to support Clay’s attempt to re-charter charter the Bank of the United Statesthe Bank of the United StatesAll cabinet but Webster resigned. Later All cabinet but Webster resigned. Later whenwhenWebster resigned, replaced with CalhounWebster resigned, replaced with Calhoun

U. S. PopulationU. S. Population

17901790 4 4 MillionMillion

18201820 10 10 MillionMillion

18301830 13 13 MillionMillion

18401840 17 17 MillionMillion

New York City and East River, 1848 New York City and East River, 1848 Superior natural harborSuperior natural harborErie CanalErie CanalLiberal state laws that made the city attractive Liberal state laws that made the city attractive for both foreign and domestic commerce for both foreign and domestic commerce

St. LouisSt. Louis

Chicago Chicago Pittsburgh Pittsburgh

Cincinnati Cincinnati

Louisville Louisville

Milwaukee Milwaukee Detroit Detroit

Buffalo Buffalo

Cleveland Cleveland

Mulberry Street, New York CityMulberry Street, New York City

Immigration, 1820-1840 Immigration, 1820-1840

Nativism and the Know-NothingsNativism and the Know-Nothings

Citizen No Nothing Citizen No Nothing

Many employers welcomedMany employers welcomed immigrants: large supply of immigrants: large supply of cheap labor cheap labor Leaders in western states/Leaders in western states/ territories felt immigrants territories felt immigrants would increase populationwould increase populationNativism: defense of native-Nativism: defense of native- born (white) people and a born (white) people and a hostility to the foreign-born;hostility to the foreign-born;Native American Party Native American Party

The Canal System—Erie Canal The Canal System—Erie Canal

Canal with tow path—horses walkedCanal with tow path—horses walkedalong tow path, towing the boatalong tow path, towing the boat

4 horses could haul 1 ½ tons 18 miles a 4 horses could haul 1 ½ tons 18 miles a day on turnpikeday on turnpike

Same 4 horses: 100 tons 24 miles a day Same 4 horses: 100 tons 24 miles a day

The Erie CanalThe Erie Canal

Erie CanalErie Canal

1840: 2,818 miles of track in the U. S.1840: 2,818 miles of track in the U. S.1850: 9,021 miles of track in the U. S.1850: 9,021 miles of track in the U. S.Most in the Northeast Most in the Northeast

Chicago, Illinois:Chicago, Illinois: Rail center of the West Rail center of the West Railroads:Railroads: Lessened dependence of Lessened dependence of West on Mississippi River West on Mississippi River

Helped further weaken the connection Helped further weaken the connection between the Northwest and the South between the Northwest and the South

Samuel Morse Samuel Morse

Richard Hoe and the Steam CylinderRichard Hoe and the Steam CylinderRotary Press Rotary Press

Factory fueled by coal Spinning jenny Factory fueled by coal Spinning jenny

Charles GoodyearCharles GoodyearElias Howe Elias Howe

Merchant Capitalists Merchant Capitalists

Entrepreneurs engaged in foreign and Entrepreneurs engaged in foreign and domestic trade—at times invested some domestic trade—at times invested some profits in small-scale manufacturing profits in small-scale manufacturing

Greater Greater opportunities opportunities in manufacturingin manufacturingthan in than in trade trade

Immigrants: most important source of new Immigrants: most important source of new workers in the 1840s workers in the 1840s

Midwest farmlandsMidwest farmlandsImproved transportation Improved transportation

The Lowell-Waltham The Lowell-Waltham System System

Clean boardinghouses and dormitoriesClean boardinghouses and dormitories

The Lowell-Waltham System The Lowell-Waltham System

Workers: well fed; carefully supervisedWorkers: well fed; carefully supervisedStrict curfewsStrict curfewsRequired church attendanceRequired church attendance

Eventually:Eventually:Lower wages; longer work days Lower wages; longer work days Conditions in boardinghouses Conditions in boardinghouses deteriorateddeteriorated

Mid-1840s: Lowell as squalid slum Mid-1840s: Lowell as squalid slum

National Trades’ UnionNational Trades’ Union

Trades of skilled artisans being displaced by Trades of skilled artisans being displaced by factoriesfactoriesSome transitioned into small-scale industries Some transitioned into small-scale industries Artisans in big cities, within each craft, formed Artisans in big cities, within each craft, formed societies for mutual aidsocieties for mutual aid1834—delegates from 6 cities1834—delegates from 6 citiesFared poorly—hostile laws and hostile courtsFared poorly—hostile laws and hostile courts

Commonwealth (MA) v. Hunt (1842)Commonwealth (MA) v. Hunt (1842)

Massachusetts Supreme Court Massachusetts Supreme Court Chief Justice Lemuel ShawChief Justice Lemuel ShawUnions were lawful organizations Unions were lawful organizations and that the strike was a lawful and that the strike was a lawful weaponweapon

Factors Contributing to Inhibition of Growth of Factors Contributing to Inhibition of Growth of Effective Labor Resistance Effective Labor Resistance •Flood of immigrantsFlood of immigrants

•Lower wagesLower wages•Easy to replace disgruntled or strikingEasy to replace disgruntled or striking workersworkers•Ethnic divisions—internal bickeringEthnic divisions—internal bickering•Sheer strength of industrial capitalists Sheer strength of industrial capitalists

1845: Boston—4% of 1845: Boston—4% of population controlled population controlled 65% of wealth 65% of wealth

Philadelphia: 1860—1% Philadelphia: 1860—1% of population controlled of population controlled 50% of wealth 50% of wealth

USA: 1860—5% of families controlled >50% USA: 1860—5% of families controlled >50% of wealth of wealth

Cult of Domesticity Cult of Domesticity Wives expected to remain in homeWives expected to remain in home Domestic affairsDomestic affairsShift of middle class concept of place of Shift of middle class concept of place of womanwomanMiddle class women: consumersMiddle class women: consumersDistinctive female cultureDistinctive female culture

Distinctive literatureDistinctive literature Provide religious/moral instructionProvide religious/moral instructionHigher value on female virtues and roles asHigher value on female virtues and roles as wife/motherwife/motherBut increased detachment from public world But increased detachment from public world

Leisure Activities Leisure Activities

Vacations rareVacations rareSundays: religion and restSundays: religion and restHolidays: special importanceHolidays: special importance

July 4 and January 8July 4 and January 8Men: tavernsMen: tavernsCities: theaters; sports (boxing, cockfighting,Cities: theaters; sports (boxing, cockfighting, horse racing, rounders, circuses)horse racing, rounders, circuses)

P. T. BarnumP. T. Barnum

Lyceums Lyceums