Jacksonian Democracy

Coach Pokorny

The Age of Jackson Hero of the War of

1812! WHY???? In 1824, Jackson

received most of the popular and electoral votes, but feel short of the majority needed to win.

Jackson’s Presidency Topics to focus on:

– Jacksonian Democracy• Resented the election of 1824• Started the Democratic Party• Introduced “Spoils System”• Voting Qualifications (Property)• Indian Removal Act (1830)

– Nullification Crisis– Tariff Crisis (1832-1833)

Election of 1824

He believe the election of 1824 was stolen by hands of “Corrupt Bargain”.

Jackson believed In placing total power in the hands of the people---

He wanted the people to Elect them Directly!!!

Nominating Conventions

Selection of Presidential candidates by party leaders was replaced

Nominating convention, where popular elected officials of each political party chose their candidates.

Presidency of Andrew JacksonElection of 1828

More than three times as many citizens voted as in 1824.

Jackson elected President 20,000-plus attended

inauguration. Jackson saw himself as

representing the “Common Man” (WHY)

1st President not born to Wealth

Supporters-Farmers, Shopkeepers, City workers

Started the Democratic Party

Present Day Democratic Party

Party Represents Ordinary People:

– Farmers– Workers– Poor

Not the Rich/ Well Born (Republican Party)

Introduced “Spoils System”

Jackson introduced “Rotations” in Office.

His opponents called his approach “Spoils System”

What is it? People who served under a

previous President were replaced with people who had worked on Jackson’s Campaign.

He Believed it was good that more people would gain experience in government.

Qualifications of Voting

Voting Rights– In the 1820s, states

eliminated the requirement to own land to vote.

– After this ruling, All White males could vote

Indian Removal Act (1830)

Jackson believed that Native Americans might ally w/ foreign invaders (War of 1812) and pose a danger to our country.

He proposed the Indian Removal Act (1830)– This act removed Tribes from

lands east of the Mississippi River.

– Federal Government gave Indians Supplies

– Most Tribes signed Treaties agreeing to Jackson’s Terms.

Trail of Tears

The Cherokees rejected Jackson’s Proposal.

Cherokees took their case to the Supreme Court

Court ruled in favor of the Cherokee Tribe b/c the tribe was “dependent” nation subject to Federal but not State Law.

Jackson was determined to remove them anyway.

16,000 were forced to move to Oklahoma.

¼ died from freezing temperatures to OK.

Nullification Crisis

Recall The North Favored a High Tariff to protect

their industry from foreign competition. Southern States opposed it because they

sold Cotton and other Crops to England. (Shipping/Importing) $

Did the states have the right to nullify (Cancel) a high tariff?

Tariff Crisis (1832-1833)

John C Calhoun-Leading spokesman (vice-president) against Tariff

Secretly Published “The Exposition and Protest” (Tariff Unconstitutional)

States have the right to nullify (cancel) Tariff.

The Webster-Hayne Debate

This debate came about due to Calhoun published Essay.

Senator Hayne-Advanced Calhoun Nullification Theory

Senator Webster-denounced Nullification

Outcome: Cost (Tariff) was lowered.

South Carolina Threatens Secession

South Carolina put Calhoun’s nullification theory into practice.

A States Convention passed the Ordinance of Nullification, which voided the Tariff / banned Collection in S.C.

South Carolina threaten to Secede if the Federal Gov’t. tried to enforce the tariff.

Force Bill-Gave President power to use force against S.C.

Henry Clay proposed Reduced Tariffs over the next 10 years, S.C. withdrew its law.