Democracy and Andrew Democracy and Andrew JacksonJackson

From the War of 1812 to Pre-From the War of 1812 to Pre-Civil War AmericaCivil War America

Theme of TodayTheme of Today: What does it : What does it mean to be Democratic?mean to be Democratic?

3 Aspects of Democracy:3 Aspects of Democracy:

1. Acting in the best interest of all 1. Acting in the best interest of all People2. Promoting equality of all people2. Promoting equality of all people

3. Respecting the 3. Respecting the U.S. Constitution

The War of 1812The War of 1812

United States vs. United States vs. GREAT BRITAINGREAT BRITAIN-Why are they fighting?-Why are they fighting?

-GB and France at war; US won’t take sides-GB and France at war; US won’t take sides--GB IMPRESSMENT GB IMPRESSMENT of American sailorsof American sailors

-US declares war on GB even though we were -US declares war on GB even though we were completely unpreparedcompletely unprepared-US gets stomped; loses many battles, White -US gets stomped; loses many battles, White House gets burned downHouse gets burned down-War ends with no real -War ends with no real GAINSGAINS for either side for either side

So where does Jackson fit in?So where does Jackson fit in? The Battle of The Battle of

NEW ORLEANSNEW ORLEANSJackson leads U.S. troops Jackson leads U.S. troops

in “the greatest U.S. in “the greatest U.S. victory of the war”, victory of the war”,

Problem: The war had Problem: The war had been over for two been over for two weeksweeks

Jackson seen as war heroJackson seen as war hero"Gentlemen, the British are below the city! We must fight them tonight.“ Gen. Andrew Jackson

Jackson’s rise to PowerJackson’s rise to Power

Jackson’s victory makes Jackson’s victory makes him extremely popular, but him extremely popular, but he loses the election of he loses the election of 18241824.. -Actually, Jackson won the -Actually, Jackson won the POPULARPOPULAR vote, but didn’t get a majority of electoral vote, but didn’t get a majority of electoral college votes. When the vote went to the college votes. When the vote went to the House of Representatives, he lost to John House of Representatives, he lost to John Quincy Adams.Quincy Adams.

-Jackson begins campaigning immediately -Jackson begins campaigning immediately after the vote. He campaigns for 4 years after the vote. He campaigns for 4 years and wins the election of and wins the election of 1828.1828.

Jackson: the “Common Jackson: the “Common Man’s President”Man’s President”

#1#1: SPOILS SYSTEM : SPOILS SYSTEM - - After election, Jackson After election, Jackson immediately removes 10 percent of all officeholders immediately removes 10 percent of all officeholders

under his power and appoints his friends and under his power and appoints his friends and supporters...known as “The Spoils System.”supporters...known as “The Spoils System.”

#2 #2 NATIVE AMERICANNATIVE AMERICAN Policies. Policies. Congress then Congress then passes Jackson’s Indian Removal Act, allowing passes Jackson’s Indian Removal Act, allowing Jackson to move Native Americans off their land Jackson to move Native Americans off their land and to reservations west of the Mississippi River.and to reservations west of the Mississippi River.

#3 #3 THE BANK THE BANK War. War. Jackson vetoes legislation Jackson vetoes legislation that would continue the Bank of the U.S. because that would continue the Bank of the U.S. because he felt it was a “corrupt institution” of the rich he felt it was a “corrupt institution” of the rich northeasterners.northeasterners.

Three Problem AreasThree Problem Areas

So was Jackson Democratic?So was Jackson Democratic?

The Spoils SystemThe Spoils System

--Jackson removed 690 Jackson removed 690 people from office and people from office and replaced them with replaced them with friends and supporters - friends and supporters - “to the “to the VICTORVICTOR goes the goes the spoils”spoils”

- Made decisions for - Made decisions for personal personal GAIN!GAIN!

So was Jackson Democratic?So was Jackson Democratic? Indian Removal ActIndian Removal Act-Defying the -Defying the SUPREME SUPREME

COURTCOURT, Jackson forced , Jackson forced Native Americans from Native Americans from their homes and made their homes and made them walk hundreds of them walk hundreds of miles. miles.

-Thousands died on this -Thousands died on this ““TRAILTRAIL of Tearsof Tears”.”.

- He claimed he was freeing - He claimed he was freeing up land for the American up land for the American CITIZENS.CITIZENS.

So was Jackson Democratic?So was Jackson Democratic? The Bank WarThe Bank War

-Jackson felt the Bank was a “privileged -Jackson felt the Bank was a “privileged institution” that served only the interests of the institution” that served only the interests of the WEALTHYWEALTHY and did nothing for the common and did nothing for the common man…”too much power, too few hands.”man…”too much power, too few hands.”

-Jackson -Jackson VETOESVETOES the bank’s charter in 1836, and the bank’s charter in 1836, and asked the Secretary of the Treasury to stop asked the Secretary of the Treasury to stop putting government money in the bank. When he putting government money in the bank. When he refused, Jackson fired him and selected someone refused, Jackson fired him and selected someone who would put money in state Banks (“Pet who would put money in state Banks (“Pet banks”)banks”)

--Results: Results: New political party, the New political party, the WHIGSWHIGS, is , is created to oppose Jackson; Nation goes into a created to oppose Jackson; Nation goes into a depression; Jackson ignores Checks and Balances; depression; Jackson ignores Checks and Balances; Constitutional problems.Constitutional problems.

Jacksonian DemocracyJacksonian Democracy Democratic or not?Democratic or not?

--Jackson’s goal was to help the Jackson’s goal was to help the COMMONCOMMON man and take the man and take the government away from the rich government away from the rich elite. In many ways, he did that. elite. In many ways, he did that. However, in doing so he However, in doing so he contradicted many of the basic contradicted many of the basic ideas of the ideas of the CONSTITUTIONCONSTITUTION and challenged long-held beliefs and challenged long-held beliefs about the makeup of American about the makeup of American democracy. So the question democracy. So the question remains, “Was Andrew Jackson remains, “Was Andrew Jackson democratic?” You must decide democratic?” You must decide that for yourselfthat for yourself..

Quote describing Andrew Jackson:Quote describing Andrew Jackson: “ “No one likes him, except the people."No one likes him, except the people."

Theme of TodayTheme of Today: What does it : What does it mean to be Democratic?mean to be Democratic?

3 Aspects of Democracy:3 Aspects of Democracy:

1. Acting in the best interest of all 1. Acting in the best interest of all peoplepeople..

2. Promoting equality of all people2. Promoting equality of all people

3. Respecting the Constitution3. Respecting the Constitution

Using the information Using the information from the Power Point…from the Power Point…

Answer the following open Answer the following open response question…response question…