The Rise of DemocracyChampion of the people–-Franklin E. Plummer and the personal political touch: gained and lost

Equality and Opportunity—but it’s a rude, crude equality compared to Europe

Opportunity and inequality of wealth—does opportunity naturally produce inequality?

Meaning of equality—equal only in opportunity

Michelle Gillaume Hector St. John de

Crevecoeur, the “farmer,” who saw a

rough equality of wealth in his time

because of the lack of access to a large

market.

Alexis de Tocqueville, the “tourist,” saw an America that didn’t want equality of wealth but an equality of opportunity to gain wealth.

The New Political Culture of DemocracyDeath of the caucus system—undemocratic, rejected by candidates who opposed hand-picked Crawford in 1824 election

Corrupt bargain—sweetheart deal between Adams and Clay gives Adams presidency when decision goes to House according to 12th Amendment—election of

1828 begins almost immediately—Jackson’s Republicans become Democrats; Adams, Clay’s Republicans become National RepublicansAndrew Jackson (led

the vote but didn’t have a majority), John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay, and William Crawford vie to become president in Election of 1824

Origins of the Anti-Masonic movement—mysterious whereabouts of one William Morgan, who intended to publish a book about the Masons

Appeal of Anti-Masonry—“brothers” seemed

a sinister threat to equality and opportunity; didn’t like reason over religion ideas either

Second party system—Whigs (old National

Republicans} and Anti-Masons/Democrats (admirers of Jackson)

New attitudes toward government—after Panic of 1819, my prosperity is your responsibility: government relevant to daily lives

Democratic reforms—property qualifications eliminated, conventions rather than caucuses

Male suffrage in Europe and Latin America—U.S. a shining example other nations patterned but seldom equaled

Masons believed in the power of reason and the idea of progress.

Voter turnout—more than doubles with white male suffrage Rise of the professional politician—it’s a business and a living: pros and cons?

Acceptance of parties—serve a purpose: keep an eye on each other?

New style of politics—avoid aristocratic airs; mass entertainment

Limitations of the democratic political system—basic issues often not addressed amidst the hoopla

Jackson Trivia:—only president who served in both the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. New Orleans suffered a malaria epidemic before battle, which Jackson caught. He was barely able to stand at battle.—only president to have been a prisoner of war—thirteen when he joined the South Carolina militia to fight in the Revolutionary War. After his capture, he was ordered to clean the boots of a British officer. Jackson refused. The officer drew his sword and slashed Jackson across the forehead, leaving a scar.—the first president born in a log cabin.—involved in many duels. A duel on May 30, 1806 against Charles Dickinson was over unflattering remarks made about Jackson's wife. In this duel Jackson was wounded. After hit, he took aim and fired at Dickinson. Jackson's gun misfired. As Dickinson was forced to stand his ground, Jackson took aim once again and killed Dickinson. The bullet that wounded Jackson was lodged near his heart and could not be safely removed. He carried that bullet in his chest for the rest of his days.—the first president to ride on a railroad train.

Jackson’s Rise to PowerJackson’s election—vague, personal, “solid South”:

beginning of modern politics: two parties, personality, mass electioneering

Jackson’s character—rough, unlearned, ready

Spoils system—pros and cons

Rachel Jackson, smeared as a bigamist (actually a paperwork mix up in her divorce) in presidential election, died of a heart

attack (broken heart?) before Andrew’s inauguration.

Jackson (Old Hickory) and Nashville home place, The Hermitage.

Democracy and RaceNew attitudes toward race—inferiority Changing nature of Cherokee society—mixed-blood leadership: constitution, newspaper,plantations, slaves, death penalty for sale of lands

Pressure for Indian removal—Worcester v. Georgia: Jackson ignored

Removal of the CherokeesMilitary resistance—Black Hawk

returns to Illinois, but crushed; Seminoles hold out until 1842

Chief John Ross and a scene from the forcible evacuation of the Cherokees,

known as the “Trail of Tears,” when one-quarter died; Cherokee alphabet (top).

Discrimination against free blacks—politically,

civilly: suffrage, court participation, segregation, education

Black poverty—menial employment: strikebreakers

Appeal of Minstrelsy—North ate it up

Deepening racism—blacks competition for some whites

in the NorthEND OF READING

Minstrel shows featured white actors in blackface mimicking

ugly stereotypes.

The Nullification Crisis (remember V. and K. Resolves) Denmark Vesey’s conspiracy–-S.C. feared “implied

powers” to be used to end slavery, as in 1828 Tariff of Abominations

Minority rights versus majority rule—“nullification”

Nationalists’ theory of the Union—it’s people not states

Idea of a perpetual Union—Jackson, Force Bill

Compromise of 1833—Henry Clay’s tariff provides calm Senators John C. Calhoun, Jackson’s Veep and rabid supporter of states’ rights, and Robert Hayne, another senator of S.C. and spokesman for Calhoun against Daniel Webster of Massachusetts.

The Bank WarMonster bank—fueled speculation, then contracted money supply in 1819

Function as a central bank—watchdog services: regulate credit, sound currency with state banks

Opposition to paper money—hard money lovers suspected manipulation

Jackson’s veto— “I will kill it,” no new charter

Removal of the deposits–-“Pet Banks”controlled by Democrats

Strengthening of presidential powers—Jackson changed the Presidency, making the veto a tool of policy: 12 to 9 prior

The Second Bank of the United States in

Philadelphia; Nicholas Biddle, pres. of BUS

who was rich, intelligent, and arrogant.

Van Buren and DepressionSpecie Circular—Jackson’s tries to stop inflation

Whig party—anti-King Andrew, pro-American System:

tariff, bank, internal improvements

Depression—speculation collapses, world market hits home

Independent Treasury—stable, but can’t help economy

First modern presidential campaignWomen take a new political role—influencers

Three versions of Martin Van Buren.

William Henry Harrison, the “legend,” and his home.

The Jacksonian Party SystemDemocratic ideology—people vs. “paper” people

Whig ideology—complex market economy is good

Democrats’ belief in limited government--promote competition/destroy monopolies; separation church/state

Opposition to monopolies—Charles River Bridge v. Warren Bridge: adjacent toll bridges

Whigs’ belief in active government—positive influence to protect individual and

opportunity; insure moral welfare of country (temperance, anti-slavery) Attitudes toward the market economy—Whigs: business, commerce, cities; Democrats: isolated, abused by the market, common workers

Religious and ethnic factors—Whigs: high status vs. Democrats: low status