The Presidency of The Presidency of Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson

January 19, 2011January 19, 2011

Adapting Project HistoryAdapting Project History

C-Span Presidential C-Span Presidential Leadership RankingsLeadership Rankings

Public Persuasion Crisis Leadership Economic Management Moral Authority International Relations Administrative Skills

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Relations with Congress Vision/Setting An Agenda Pursued Equal Justice For All Performance Within Context of Times

C-Span Presidential Leadership Survey C-Span Presidential Leadership Survey (2009, 2000)(2009, 2000)

Abraham Lincoln 902, 1,1 902, 1,1 George Washington 854, 2,3 854, 2,3 Franklin D. Roosevelt 837, 3, 2 837, 3, 2 Theodore Roosevelt 781, 4,4 781, 4,4 Harry S. Truman 708, 5,5 708, 5,5 John F. Kennedy 701, 6,8 701, 6,8 Thomas Jefferson 698, 7,7 698, 7,7 Dwight D. Eisenhower 689, 8,9 689, 8,9 Woodrow Wilson 683, 9,6 683, 9,6 Ronald Reagan 671, 10, 11 671, 10, 11

Presidents, 11-20Presidents, 11-20

Lyndon B. Johnson 641, 11, 10 641, 11, 10 James K. Polk 606, 12, 12 606, 12, 12 Andrew Jackson 606, 13, 13 606, 13, 13 James Monroe 605, 14, 14 605, 14, 14 Bill Clinton 605, 15, 21 605, 15, 21 William McKinley 599, 16,15 599, 16,15 John Adams 545, 17, 16 545, 17, 16 George H. W. Bush 542, 18, 20 542, 18, 20 John Quincy Adams 542, 19, 19 542, 19, 19 James Madison 535, 20, 18 535, 20, 18

Presidents, 21-30Presidents, 21-30

Grover Cleveland 523, 21, 17 523, 21, 17 Gerald R. Ford 509, 22, 23 509, 22, 23 Ulysses S. Grant 490, 23, 33 490, 23, 33 William Howard Taft 485, 24,24 485, 24,24 Jimmy Carter 474, 25, 22 474, 25, 22 Calvin Coolidge 469,26, 27 469,26, 27 Richard M. Nixon 450, 27, 25 450, 27, 25 James A. Garfield 445, 28, 29 445, 28, 29 Zachary Taylor 443, 29,28 443, 29,28 Benjamin Harrison 442, 30, 31 442, 30, 31

Presidents, 31-42Presidents, 31-42

Martin Van Buren 435, 31, 30 435, 31, 30 Chester A. Arthur 420, 32, 32 420, 32, 32 Rutherford B. Hayes 409, 33, 26 409, 33, 26 Herbert Hoover 389, 34, 34 389, 34, 34 John Tyler 372, 35, 35 372, 35, 35 George W. Bush 362, 36, NA 362, 36, NA Millard Fillmore 351, 37, 35Millard Fillmore 351, 37, 35 Warren G. Harding 327, 38, 38Warren G. Harding 327, 38, 38 William Henry Harrison 324, 39, 39William Henry Harrison 324, 39, 39 Franklin D. Pierce 287, 40, 39Franklin D. Pierce 287, 40, 39 Andrew Johnson 258, 41, 40Andrew Johnson 258, 41, 40 James Buchanan 227, 42, 41James Buchanan 227, 42, 41

Election of 1828Election of 1828

Jackson supporters viewed Jackson’s Jackson supporters viewed Jackson’s election as an election of the people over election as an election of the people over the politiciansthe politicians

Panic of 1819 aroused healthy suspicion Panic of 1819 aroused healthy suspicion and skepticism of politiciansand skepticism of politicians

Jackson movement part of and stimulated Jackson movement part of and stimulated radical egalitarianismradical egalitarianism

Election of Jackson symbolized growing Election of Jackson symbolized growing assumption that one man good as anotherassumption that one man good as another

Inauguration of JacksonInauguration of Jackson

Attracted thousands to Washington Attracted thousands to Washington to usher in new era of governmentto usher in new era of government

Reception practically turned into a Reception practically turned into a riotriot

Daniel Webster: “I never saw Daniel Webster: “I never saw anything like it before…. They really anything like it before…. They really seem to think the country is [to be] seem to think the country is [to be] rescued from dreadful danger”rescued from dreadful danger”

Washington Hostess on Washington Hostess on InaugurationInauguration

““The The Majesty of the PeopleMajesty of the People had had disappeared, and a rabble, a mob, of boys, disappeared, and a rabble, a mob, of boys, Negroes, women, children, scrambling, Negroes, women, children, scrambling, fighting, romping. What a pity, what a fighting, romping. What a pity, what a pity! No arrangements had been made, pity! No arrangements had been made, no police officers placed on duty and the no police officers placed on duty and the whole house had been inundated by the whole house had been inundated by the rabble mob. We came too late. The rabble mob. We came too late. The President, after having been President, after having been literallyliterally nearly pressed to death and almost nearly pressed to death and almost suffocated and torn to pieces by suffocated and torn to pieces by

Washington Hostess on the Washington Hostess on the Inauguration 2Inauguration 2

the people in their eagerness to shake the people in their eagerness to shake hands with Old Hickory, and retreated hands with Old Hickory, and retreated through the back way or south front and through the back way or south front and had been escorted to his lodgings at had been escorted to his lodgings at Gadsby’s. Cut glass and china to the Gadsby’s. Cut glass and china to the amount of several thousand dollars had amount of several thousand dollars had been broken in the struggle to get the been broken in the struggle to get the refreshments, punch and other articles refreshments, punch and other articles had been carried out in tubs and buckets, had been carried out in tubs and buckets, but had it been in hogsheadsbut had it been in hogsheads

Washington Hostess on the Washington Hostess on the Inauguration 3Inauguration 3

it would have been insufficient, ice it would have been insufficient, ice creams, and cake and lemonade, for creams, and cake and lemonade, for 20,000 people, for it is said the number 20,000 people, for it is said the number were there, tho’ I think the estimate were there, tho’ I think the estimate exaggerated. Ladies fainted, men were exaggerated. Ladies fainted, men were seen with bloodied noses and such a seen with bloodied noses and such a scene of confusion took place as is scene of confusion took place as is impossible to describe--those who got in impossible to describe--those who got in could not get out by the door again, but could not get out by the door again, but had to scramble out of the windows.”had to scramble out of the windows.”

Jackson’s InauguralJackson’s Inaugural

Jackson’s InauguralJackson’s Inaugural

Jackson’s Winning CoalitionJackson’s Winning Coalition

States rightists and strict States rightists and strict constructionists dislike nationalist constructionists dislike nationalist policies of Clay and Adamspolicies of Clay and Adams

Bank men, anti-bank men, high and Bank men, anti-bank men, high and low tariff menlow tariff men

Former Federalists using Jackson’s Former Federalists using Jackson’s prestige to re-enter politicsprestige to re-enter politics

New man in politics--men hoped to New man in politics--men hoped to use politics to rise on social scaleuse politics to rise on social scale

Jackson’s Conception of the Jackson’s Conception of the PresidencyPresidency

Few Presidents enter Office with well-Few Presidents enter Office with well-developed Conception of Officedeveloped Conception of Office

Shaped by Own History and Shaped by Own History and Experiences, Personality and Experiences, Personality and CharacterCharacter

Shaped by Demands and Crises Shaped by Demands and Crises Faced while in OfficeFaced while in Office

Jackson’s Conception of the Jackson’s Conception of the PresidencyPresidency

History: Westerner, Outsider, Military History: Westerner, Outsider, Military Background and Election of 1824Background and Election of 1824

Personal: Character and Personality, Personal: Character and Personality, He was impetuous and cautious, He was impetuous and cautious, ruthless and compassionate, ruthless and compassionate, suspicious and generous. Driven by suspicious and generous. Driven by ambition, he was a skillful, ambition, he was a skillful, hardheaded political operator.hardheaded political operator.

Jackson and the Spoils Jackson and the Spoils SystemSystem

Jackson believe supporters should be rewarded Jackson believe supporters should be rewarded on grounds of necessity and principleon grounds of necessity and principle

Entrenched bureaucracy with life tenure Entrenched bureaucracy with life tenure viewed as undemocratic not responsive to viewed as undemocratic not responsive to peoplepeople

Jacksonians believe in rotation in officeJacksonians believe in rotation in office– Political offices change hands periodicallyPolitical offices change hands periodically– give more people opportunitygive more people opportunity– Government jobs simple anyone could do Government jobs simple anyone could do

themthem– Symbolic influence--US government by and Symbolic influence--US government by and

of the people--one man as good as anotherof the people--one man as good as another

Banking in the U.S.Banking in the U.S.

Banks played major role in the creation Banks played major role in the creation of capitalof capital

Capital needed for roads, canals, Capital needed for roads, canals, railroads, steamboatsrailroads, steamboats

As well as for land, labor and materialsAs well as for land, labor and materials ““Credit has bought our land, made our Credit has bought our land, made our

canals, improved our rivers, cleared our canals, improved our rivers, cleared our fields, founded our churches, and fields, founded our churches, and erected our colleges and schools.”erected our colleges and schools.”

Growth of BanksGrowth of Banks

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

#of Banks

1815183018381841

Bank Notes in MillionsBank Notes in Millions

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Bank notesin millions

1815183018381841

Banking as a Political IssueBanking as a Political Issue BUS most important bank--repository of BUS most important bank--repository of

federal funds, largest corporation in federal funds, largest corporation in country, regulated state banks (in theory)country, regulated state banks (in theory)

BUS had been controversial since Hamilton BUS had been controversial since Hamilton had proposed first BUShad proposed first BUS

Panic of 1819 alienated large number of Panic of 1819 alienated large number of Americans from banking and credit systemAmericans from banking and credit system

Widespread feeling that Panic and Widespread feeling that Panic and depression retribution for speculative fever depression retribution for speculative fever after 1815after 1815

Deep Suspicion of BankingDeep Suspicion of Banking

Banks--not just BUS---symbolized Banks--not just BUS---symbolized unsettling transformation of unsettling transformation of American society from an agrarian to American society from an agrarian to a commercial societya commercial society

Jacksonian Democrats motley group--Jacksonian Democrats motley group--some for BUS---others opposed---some for BUS---others opposed---some for state banks and others some for state banks and others opposed to all banksopposed to all banks

Nicholas Biddle (1786-1844)Nicholas Biddle (1786-1844)

Brilliant young man from influential Brilliant young man from influential Pennsylvania familyPennsylvania family

Asked by William Clark to write Asked by William Clark to write history of Lewis and Clark expeditionhistory of Lewis and Clark expedition

Edited leading literary journal in USEdited leading literary journal in US President of BUS, 1823-39President of BUS, 1823-39

Nicholas BiddleNicholas Biddle

Nicholas BiddleNicholas Biddle

Biddle and the BUSBiddle and the BUS Biddle naïve, indiscreet, and arrogant Biddle naïve, indiscreet, and arrogant Asked by US Senate whether BUS ever Asked by US Senate whether BUS ever

oppressed state banksoppressed state banks Biddle answered: “There are few Biddle answered: “There are few

banks…which might not have been banks…which might not have been destroyed by an exertion of the power of destroyed by an exertion of the power of the Bank. None have ever been injured. the Bank. None have ever been injured. Many have been saved. And more have Many have been saved. And more have been, and are, constantly relieved when been, and are, constantly relieved when it is found that they are solvent but are it is found that they are solvent but are suffering under temporary difficulty.” suffering under temporary difficulty.”

Presidential Election of 1832Presidential Election of 1832

Biddle miscalculated and requested (on Biddle miscalculated and requested (on the advice of Henry Clay) a bill to grant the advice of Henry Clay) a bill to grant new charter for BUS in early 1832new charter for BUS in early 1832

Believed that Jackson would be forced to Believed that Jackson would be forced to sign recharter bill for popular Banksign recharter bill for popular Bank

If Jackson failed to sign, it would be used If Jackson failed to sign, it would be used as campaign issue for Clay’s advantageas campaign issue for Clay’s advantage

Bank recharter bill passed CongressBank recharter bill passed Congress

Campaigning Against Campaigning Against JacksonJackson

First Bank of the United First Bank of the United StatesStates

Second Bank of the United Second Bank of the United StatesStates

The Banking Crisis: The Banking Crisis: Jackson’s VetoJackson’s Veto

BUS Chartered in 1816 for 20 YearsBUS Chartered in 1816 for 20 Years Recharter Bill in 1832 Vetoed by JacksonRecharter Bill in 1832 Vetoed by Jackson Veto Message: Against on Policy Veto Message: Against on Policy

Grounds; BUS Unconstitutional; BUS Grounds; BUS Unconstitutional; BUS Foster InequalityFoster Inequality

Denounced foreign stockholdersDenounced foreign stockholders Jackson Vetoed 12 Measures in 2 Terms; Jackson Vetoed 12 Measures in 2 Terms;

6 Predecessors Only Veto 10 Total6 Predecessors Only Veto 10 Total

Jackson’s MessageJackson’s Message

““It is to be regretted that the rich and It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of powerful too often bend the acts of government to their selfish purposes. government to their selfish purposes. Distinctions in society will always exist Distinctions in society will always exist under every just government. Equality of under every just government. Equality of talents, of education, or of wealth can talents, of education, or of wealth can not be produced by human institutions. not be produced by human institutions. In the full enjoyment of the gifts of In the full enjoyment of the gifts of Heaven and the fruits of superior Heaven and the fruits of superior industry, economy and virtue, industry, economy and virtue,

Jackson’s Message 2Jackson’s Message 2 every man is entitled to protection by every man is entitled to protection by

law; but when the laws undertake to law; but when the laws undertake to add to these natural and just add to these natural and just advantages artificial distinctions, to advantages artificial distinctions, to grant titles, gratuities, and exclusive grant titles, gratuities, and exclusive privileges, to make the rich richer and privileges, to make the rich richer and the potent more powerful, the humble the potent more powerful, the humble members of society--the farmer, members of society--the farmer, mechanics, and laborers--who have mechanics, and laborers--who have neither the time nor the means of neither the time nor the means of securing like favors to themselves,securing like favors to themselves,

Jackson’s Message 3Jackson’s Message 3 have a right to complain of the injustice have a right to complain of the injustice

of their Government. There are no of their Government. There are no necessary evils in government. Its evils necessary evils in government. Its evils exist only in its abuses. If it would exist only in its abuses. If it would confine itself to equal protection, and, confine itself to equal protection, and, as Heaven does its rains, shower its as Heaven does its rains, shower its favors alike on the high and the low, favors alike on the high and the low, the rich and the poor, it would be an the rich and the poor, it would be an unqualified blessing. In the act before unqualified blessing. In the act before me there seems to be a wide and me there seems to be a wide and unnecessary departure from these just unnecessary departure from these just principles.”principles.”

King AndrewKing Andrew

The MonsterThe Monster

The Banking Crisis: The Banking Crisis: Withdrawal of FundsWithdrawal of Funds

Jackson Fires Secretary of Jackson Fires Secretary of Treasury, William DuaneTreasury, William Duane

Replacement, Roger Taney Replacement, Roger Taney Withdraws Funds from BUS in 1833Withdraws Funds from BUS in 1833

Question: Can the President Fire a Question: Can the President Fire a Cabinet Member?Cabinet Member?

The Banking Crisis: The Banking Crisis: Congress Versus the Congress Versus the

PresidentPresident Senate Critics of Jackson Charge: Executive Senate Critics of Jackson Charge: Executive

Usurpation, Boldness, Innovation and DefianceUsurpation, Boldness, Innovation and Defiance Resolutions of Censure Pass SenateResolutions of Censure Pass Senate

– ““By dismissing the late Secretary of Treasury By dismissing the late Secretary of Treasury because he would not, contrary to his sense of his because he would not, contrary to his sense of his own duty [remove the federal deposits from the own duty [remove the federal deposits from the Bank of the United States] and by appointing his Bank of the United States] and by appointing his successor to effect such removal….the President successor to effect such removal….the President has assumed the exercise of power of the treasury has assumed the exercise of power of the treasury of the United States, not granted to him by the of the United States, not granted to him by the constitution and law, and dangerous to the liberty constitution and law, and dangerous to the liberty of the people.”of the people.”

The Banking Crisis: The Banking Crisis: Congress Versus the Congress Versus the

PresidentPresident Whig Conception of PresidentWhig Conception of President Whig View: President Controls Sword and Whig View: President Controls Sword and

Congress Controls PurseCongress Controls Purse Jackson’s Response to Senate: Jackson’s Response to Senate:

Unauthorized by Constitution, President Unauthorized by Constitution, President “the direct representative of the American “the direct representative of the American People....”People....”

Calhoun: Calhoun: “What effrontery, what boldness of “What effrontery, what boldness of assertion! The immediate representative! Why assertion! The immediate representative! Why he never received a vote from the American he never received a vote from the American people.”people.”

Standoff Between Congress and JacksonStandoff Between Congress and Jackson

Clay’s Attack on JacksonClay’s Attack on Jackson Clay: Jackson’s notions of Presidency a Clay: Jackson’s notions of Presidency a

military idea, wholly incompatible with military idea, wholly incompatible with free governmentfree government

““We are the midst of a revolution, We are the midst of a revolution, hitherto bloodless, but rapidly tending hitherto bloodless, but rapidly tending towards a total change of the pure towards a total change of the pure republican character of theGovernment, republican character of theGovernment, and to the concentration of all power in and to the concentration of all power in the hands of one man…. The eyes and the hands of one man…. The eyes and hopes of the American people are hopes of the American people are anxiously turned to Congress.anxiously turned to Congress.

Clay’s Attack on Jackson Clay’s Attack on Jackson (2)(2)

They feel that they have been They feel that they have been deceived and insulted; their confidence deceived and insulted; their confidence abused; their interests betrayed; and abused; their interests betrayed; and their liberties in danger. They see a their liberties in danger. They see a rapid and alarming concentration of all rapid and alarming concentration of all power in one man’s hands. They see power in one man’s hands. They see that, by the exercise of the positive that, by the exercise of the positive authority of the Executive, and his authority of the Executive, and his negative power exerted over Congress, negative power exerted over Congress, the will of one man alone prevails, and the will of one man alone prevails, and governs the republic. governs the republic.

Censure of JacksonCensure of Jackson

Jackson censured for “executive Jackson censured for “executive usurpation” of powerusurpation” of power

Deposits not restored to BUSDeposits not restored to BUS BUS charter expired in 1836BUS charter expired in 1836 Last days of Jackson’s presidency—Last days of Jackson’s presidency—

Senate voted to expunge resolution Senate voted to expunge resolution of censureof censure

How Did Jackson How Did Jackson Revolutionize the Revolutionize the

PresidencyPresidency Challenged Congress for ControlChallenged Congress for Control Saw President as Direct Saw President as Direct

Representative of America PeopleRepresentative of America People Ended Tradition of Strong, Ended Tradition of Strong,

Independent CabinetIndependent Cabinet Short-Lived RevolutionShort-Lived Revolution Model for Twentieth Century Model for Twentieth Century

PresidentsPresidents