TheJacksonian

Impulse

The Election of 1824Four candidates emerged in the 1824 election

William Crawford (Secretary of the Treasury)John Q. Adams (Secretary of State)Henry Clay (Speaker of the House)Andrew Jackson

All were Republicans, no Federalist candidate.The election turned on personalities and sectional

allegiance.

Election of 1824

Jackson had more electoral votes and the largest number of popular votes.No candidate had a sufficient number of electoral votes to win the presidency outright.The top three were presented to the House of Representatives.Clay – who had the least number of electoral votes – was Speaker of the House: on the first

ballot Adams was chosen as the sixth president.When Adams named Clay his Secretary of State charges of a “corrupt bargain” surfaced

immediately.

John Quincy Adams1824-1828

Adams was never able to overcome the results and the supposed “corrupt bargain” of the 1824 election.

He supported the American System of Presidents James Madison and James Monroe.

The American System was an economic plan based on the "American School" ideas of Alexander Hamilton, consisting of a high tariff to support internal improvements such as road-building, and a national bank to encourage productive enterprise and form a national currency. This program was intended to allow the United States to grow and prosper, by providing a defense against the dumping of cheap foreign products, mainly at the time from the British Empire.

Most of his initiatives were opposed in Congress by Jackson's supporters, who remained outraged over the 1824 election.

Campaign of 1828Attacks on Jackson

Preparations for the 1828 campaign by Jackson’s supporters began as soon as the results of the 1824 election were announced.

The Campaign was marked by mudslinging and the infamous “Coffin Handbills.”

Authored by Charles Hammond, the first of the handbills accused Jackson of executing deserters during the War of 1812 and massacres during the Creek War and his habit of dueling.

Campaign of 1828

Continued Attacks on JacksonLater pamphlets attacked Jackson on moral

grounds accusing him and his wife of adultery.

"Ought a convicted adulteress and her paramour husband be placed in the highest offices of this free and Christian land?" - Charles Hammond

Another handbill claimed that Jackson's mother was a prostitute brought by British soldiers to the United States.

Campaign of 1828

Jacksonians RetaliateJackson’s campaign charged that Adams,

while serving as Minister to Russia, had provided an American girl servant to meet the Czar’s lustful desires.

Adams was also accused of misappropriating public funds. He was charged with using the funds to buy gambling devices for the presidential residence – a chess set and a pool table.

Campaign of 1828

Tariff of Abominations – The Great BackfireBackground

Tariff’s were originally authorized on April 27, 1816 under James Madison: amended on April 20, 1818 under James Monroe and again on May 22, 1824 under John Quincy Adams.

Some tariffs were intentionally set high to help defray the cost of “normal” government expenses: Maintain the Army and Navy Maintain fortifications Pay interest and principal on public debt as they came due

Rates were periodically adjusted to provide some protection against foreign competition for manufacturing in the North and agriculture in the South.

Increased commercial exchange within the United States which in turn led to less dependence on foreign powers.

Election of 1828Tariff of Abominations – The Great

BackfireThe Plan

The 20th Congress began on December 3, 1827 with a full complement of Jacksonian backers. Jackson would carry his native South Jackson would appeal to Westerners by posing as a military giant Jackson had no chance in New England Jackson should concentrate on the middle Atlantic states

The middle Atlantic states were seeking protection for their developing industries.

The Jacksonians proposed a new system of tariffs intentionally making the tariffs inordinately high – so high the Jacksonians figured that even the New Englanders would vote against the tariffs.

The Jacksonians would, upon the defeat of the bill, raise old Billy cane with Jackson himself eventually riding to the rescue

Election of 1828

Tariff of Abominations – The Great BackfireNever Bet – Not Even on a Sure Thing

There’s always a fly in the buttermilk.

New England’s congressmen believing that the protection allowed by the bill must not be objectionable voted for passage.

Jacksonians, knowing the bill was bad for the country but unable to admit to their scheming for fear of loosing the election, supported the bill solely to deprive Adams of another campaign issue.

When the bill was presented to President Adams he signed it into law believing it had been honestly introduced, debated and passed.

This was the infamous “tariff of abominations” that would eventually lead to the Nullification Crisis of 1832.

Election of 1828

The Jackson Presidency

Key Issues

The Nullification Crisis

Internal improvements

Indian policy

The bank controversy

South Carolina claimed – using historical precedent – the right to nullify acts of Congress within its borders

Jackson –Called nullification an “impractical absurdity”Sent Federal troops to southern portsPassed Force Act to compel obedienceGave emotional aura to idea of unionDemonstrated willingness of federal government to

go to war to preserve its legitimate powers

The Jackson Presidency Nullification Crisis: 1828 - 1832

The Jackson PresidencyInternal Improvements

Jackson did not oppose internal improvements per se

Supported National Road project

Had same constitutional scruples as Madison & Monroe

Opposed federal aid to local projects

Marysville Rd, KY

Veto of Marysville Rd Bill set an important precedent

Limited federal initiatives

Railroads would be built w/ private money until 1850

The Jackson PresidencyIndian Removal Act

(1830)

President Andrew Jackson:“Your white brothers will not trouble you; they will have no claim to your land, and you can live upon it, you and all your children, as long as the grass grows or the water runs, in peace and plenty. It will be yours forever.”

Reduction of Cherokee Lands

The Jackson PresidencyThe Bank Controversy

Jackson’s traditional reasons for opposing the bank:Believed it unconstitutional (despite Supreme Ct.

decision )Reflected westerners distrust of banks Preferred a hard money policy

To these were added new, substantive issues:Influence of foreign investorsFavors & influence peddling by bankCombination of private & public functionsBank had undue power over the economy

The Jackson PresidencyThe Bank Controversy

Jackson’s veto message: “ It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their selfish purposes. Many of our rich men have not been content with equal protection and equal benefits, but have besought us to make them richer by act of Congress. (The bank) is dangerous to the liberties of the people.”

Assassination Attempt

Andrew Jackson“Old Hickory”

Politics in the 1830s

Central elements of the political debate:

Government’s position on:1) Banks

2) Tariffs

3) Internal improvements

4) Currency

Balance of power between national and local authority

The Election of 1832

Democratic – Republicans Drop “Republican” – become simply “Democrats”Re-nominate JacksonNo platform, run on hoopla and Jackson’s

popularity

Nationalist-Republicans Nominate Henry ClayEndorse the American System

Anti-Masonic PartyFirst “third party” in U.S. politicsFirst to hold a national nominating conventionFirst to announce a party platform

Jackson handily won reelection

Election of 1836 Second party system in placeWould remain stable for about 20 yearsDemocrats

In place since 1832 (with roots back to Jefferson in 1803)

Nominate Martin Van Buren (Jackson’s V.P.)Whig coalition

United by hostility to JacksonNational – Republican coreRemnants of Anti-Masonic PartyDemocrats unhappy w/ Jackson

Adopted a strategy of multiple candidates (3)Hoped to throw election to House

Van Buren easily won

The Second Party SystemDemocrats

Alarmed by widening gap between social classes

Believed government should adopt hands-off attitude towards economy

Supported by -EntrepreneursYeoman farmersCity workingmen

Strongest in South and West

The Second Party SystemWhigs

Believed in the American SystemInsisted that government could and

should guide economic developmentSupported by -

Established businessmen & bankersFarmers near rivers, canals, Great Lakes

Strongest in Northeast

The Election of 1840

<= Martin Van Buren(Democrat)

William Henry Harrison =>(Whig)

Whig Campaign Memorabilia(1840)