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)
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