Andrew Jackson: Champion of the Common Man Or King Andrew?

Transcription

1 Andrew Jackson: Champion of the Common Man Or King Andrew?

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3 Alexis detocqueville, Democracy in America, 1831 The people reign in the American political world as the Deity does in the universe I confess that in America I saw more than America; I sought there the image of democracy itself, with its inclinations, its character, its prejudices, and its passions, in order to learn what we have to fear or to hope from its progress. *De Tocqueville saw democracy, for good or ill, as the future of Europe and the world.

4 Democratic trends th in the early 19 c?

5 1. Greater voter participation Voter turnout Due to: *Controversial issues of the era AND.

6 2. Universal white male suffrage Due to the Market Revolution, less people fell into the independent landowning yeoman farmer demographic (Jeffersonian vision) The notion that one needed to own land to be independent-minded seemed outdated in a rapidly industrializing, urbanizing nation

7 3. Popular Campaigning Party nominating committees democratized process Modern tactics rallies, picnics, mudslinging (involved the public more) Use of nicknames ie. Old Hickory and The Little Magician *Jackson was the first to invite the public to his inauguration ball at the White House - Reign of King Mob

8 3. Wider availability of news sources ie. the penny press (first modern newspaper) due to new steampowered printing

9 The Election of Jackson Lost to John Quincy Adams in the alleged corrupt bargain of 1824 Began immediately campaigning for 1828

10 VOTE FOR JACKSON WHO CAN FIGHT, NOT ADAMS WHO CAN WRITE!

11 Andrew Jackson The Man Born poor No formal education Self-made man First president from outside the eastern elite/colonial gentry First western president Distrusted special privilege and the establishment (particularly in the Northeast) Belief that common men were capable of uncommon achievements (instinctual leadership)

12 Second Two-Party System (emerged in 1832) DEMOCRATS Belief in limited government WHIGS Belief in active federal government (ie. American Supported by planters, white System, tariffs, fed. Funded common men frontier improvements) farmers, immigrants in growing cities Supported by many Northeastern states and those opposed to Andrew Jackson

13 Andrew Jackson: Champion of the Common Man Or King Andrew?

14 1. Spoils System (Patronage) Jackson s practice of appointing federal officials who had supported him

15 1. Spoils System Common Man King Andrew Based on idea that any Opponents believed man can do the job; more people should participate in gvt less danger for an entrenched bureaucracy to form this practiced subordinated fitness and merit; offices were prostituted for political ends; encouraged cronyism

16 2. The Bank War The bank, Mr. Van Buren, is trying to kill me, but I will kill it. (1832) Andrew Jackson

17 2. The Bank War Common Man Jackson felt national bank restricted entrepreneurship and business practices (esp land speculation) in the S and W Saw bank as moneyed monster tied to eastern elite exploited common people King Andrew Bank had been declared constitutional by Supreme Court National Bank President Biddle s policies created economic stability by regulating smaller banks from excessive printing/loaning Wild use of veto power set the exec branch on a higher plane than L or J Outcome: irresponsible banking practices (need for Specie Circ.)

18 Aftermath of Bank War Without the stabilizing influence of the 2nd BUS, smaller banks ( pet banks ) resumed old habits Wild speculation and overextension of credit grew to dangerous levels Jackson responded with Specie Circular, which ended up triggering a recession Van Buren ( ) created Independent Treasury system to protect US money from the fluctuations in banking

19 3. The Tariff of Abomination

20 3. The Tariff of Abominations Common Man King Andrew Jackson saw the SC Supporters of states rights (Calhoun, Hayne) claimed that the federal gvt was growing dangerously tyrannical ie. militarization of tax collectors through the Force Act) Ordinance of Nullification as threatening to nation/individuals

21 At a White House dinner in honor of Jefferson s birthday: Our federal union, it must be preserved. (Jackson) The Union, next to our liberties, most dear. (Calhoun)

22 Tell the Nullifiers from me that they can talk and write resolutions and print threats to their hearts content But if one drop of blood be shed there in defiance of the laws of the United States, I will hang the first man of them I can get my hands on to the first tree I can find. - Jackson in response to the nullification crisis

23 Consequences/Aftermath Hayne-Webster Debates states rights vs. nationalists/unionists - began national discussion about nullification The tariff was only a pretext, and disunity and southern confederacy the real object. The next pretext will be the negro, or slavery question. Jackson Force Act raised possibility of military confrontation Compromise (Henry Clay) tariff would be slowly reduced over 10 years

24 4. Indian Removal The Great Father US had signed treaties recognizing Indian nations as separate and sovereign Pressures to expand economically and settle the frontier made these treaties seem unsustainable By this time the Five Civilized Tribes had tried to live in harmony with whites by giving up their traditional ways of life

25 4. Indian Removal Common Man King Andrew Jackson claimed Indian Removal Act would protect lifestyle of Native tribes by moving them W beyond Mississippi R. while providing economic progress for white settlers Ignored Supreme Court (Worcester v. GA), thereby abusing power of the executive branch

26 Aftermath of Indian Removal Act Most of the Five Civilized Tribes were relocated to the Oklahoma Territory ( Indian Territory ) Supposed to be voluntary but more often than not, it was by force (US army oversaw march) Trail of Tears due to conditions and mortality rates (25%)

27 Legacy of Andrew Jackson? Leader of the Common Man? King Andrew?