Chapter 13 “The Rise of Mass Democracy”

Rise of the Age of Jackson

• Competition between executive & legislative– Constitutional guidelines– Expressions of power– Desire to reflect the will of the people

Election of 1824

• Candidates– John Quincy Adams– Andrew Jackson– Henry Clay– William Crawford

• No Electoral Majority• House of Representatives

Corrupt Bargain

• Speaker of the House = Henry Clay• House votes for JQA defying popular vote

• President Adams names Henry Clay Secretary of State

• Andrew Jackson response = – 4 year campaign for White House

• Acceptable? Ethical? Legal?

Democratic-Republicans

Andrew Jackson

• Biographical Information– Humble Beginnings– “Colorful” and controversial military career

– “Self-made” wealth– Family & Loyalty

Election of 1828

• Four year campaign

• Personal Attacks

• Death of wife

President Jackson

• Spoils System• Kitchen Cabinet• Eaton Scandal• John C. Calhoun• Martin Van Buren

Nullification

• Tariff & Sectionalism• How does a state protest?• SC Exposition

– VP Calhoun

• Nullification Vote• Jackson response• Win / Loss Analysis

Indian Removal

• Worchester v Georgia– Devolution of Federal Power– Repudiation of GW’s Indian policy– Let John Marshall enforce it

• Indian Removal Act– Trail of Tears

• Opened Land for Expansion and “PROGRESS”

Bank Wars

• 2nd Bank of the US• Nicholas Biddle

– Perceived Power• Clay’s Re-charter Scheme • Extra-constitutional power• King Andrew’s Veto• 1832 Re-election• Federal Deposits & Pet Banks

Currency

• Paper v. Gold Currency Debate– Inflationary v. Stability– Borrower v. Lender

• Wildcat Banks & Over Speculation– Panic of 1837

Specie Circular

• Specie Circular– Gold for Government Land– Drastic Measure = deflationary– Reality tempering ideology

• Balanced Budget & No Debt• Panic of 1837• Divorce Bill (Van Buren)• Independent Treasury

Democratic Reforms

• 3rd Parties– Purpose– 1832 = Anti-Masonic Party

• Whig Party– Anti-Jackson– Pro-America System– Election of 1836

Democratic Reforms

• Suffrage Extension – All white males– “Era of the Common Man’– Modern Campaigning

• Party Platforms & Conventions