Chapter 10: The Democratic Revolution 1820 to 1844

1. Chapter 10: The Democratic Revolution1820 to 1844 By Neil Hammond Millbrook High School

2. In the early years of the republic men of “great ability” ruled (read “rich, white men) Beginning in the 1820s more ordinary folks held public office (much to the disgust of Europeans) In the early 1800s most states had extended the franchise. Few other countries were so lucky…In England the Great Reform Act of 1832 changed who could vote, but only 10% of the white male population could…way less than in America The Democratic Revolution

3. The Democratic Revolution • 1810s and 1820s states gradually replaced property qualifications with taxpayer qualifications. New states were often very liberal with voting rights

4. As white men gained more rights, women and free blacks lost theirs (eg Ohio disenfranchised blacks in 1802…NY had property qualifications for blacks but not whites) Some states redrew districts to make them more democratic, and instituted rules where judges were elected NOT appointed The Democratic Revolution

5. He is credited with developing the “political machine” His NY “Bucktail” supporters (so called because they wore a deer's tail on their hats) were encouraged to vote (and informed about issues) through a newspaper run by Van Buren’s supporters When Van Buren and his party won control of NY, he gave out about 6000 state government positions to his supporters (spoils system). VB insisted on strict party discipline and required his members to vote as the party caucus (an informal meeting of the party’s leaders) Martin Van Buren

6. Map, Reading and questions 1824 Election

7. Called for an active national government Adams called for: 1. the establishment of a national university in Washington 2. extensive scientific explorations in the Far West, and a uniform standard of weights and measures. 3. Henry Clay's American System of national economic development and its three key elements: protective tariffs to stimulate manufacturing, federally subsidized roads and canals to facilitate commerce, and a national bank to control credit and provide a uniform currency. John Quincy Adams

8. Adams won support from the NE and MW, but Southerners hated the plan “Old Republicans” opposed his plans, too, on constitutional grounds After a trip to Monticello to meet Thomas Jefferson, his longtime hero, Martin Van Buren declared his allegiance to the constitutional “doctrines of the Jefferson School.” Now a member of the U.S. Senate, Van Buren joined the Old Republicans in defeating most national subsidies for roads and canals. Congress approved only a few of Adams's proposals for internal improvements, among them the short extension of the National Road from Wheeling, Virginia, into Ohio. John Quincy Adams

9. A battle over tariffs defined JQA’s presidency 1824 Clay and JQA pushed a higher tariff through Congress When Van Buren and his Jacksonian allies won control of Congress in the election of 1826, they proposed higher tariffs on wool, hemp, and other imported raw materials. Their goal was to win the support of wool- and hemp-producing farmers in New York, Ohio, and Kentucky for Jackson's presidential candidacy in 1828. When this tariff was passed in 1828 the South was outraged (the “tariff of Abominations”) JQA was blamed for the tariff John Quincy Adams

10. Opponents also criticized JQA’s Indian policy. A deeply moral man, the president had supported the land rights of Native Americans against expansionist whites in the South. In 1825, U.S. commissioners had secured a treaty from one Creek faction that would have ceded the tribe's lands in Georgia to the United States, for eventual sale to the citizens of that state. When the Creek National Council repudiated the treaty, claiming it was fraudulent, Adams called for new negotiations. Eager to acquire the Creeks' land, Georgia governor George M. Troup attacked the president as a “public enemy … the unblushing ally of the savages.” Joining forces with Georgia's representatives in Congress, Troup persuaded the national legislature to enact a measure that extinguished the Creeks' land titles and forced most Creeks to leave the state. John Quincy Adams

11. Elsewhere in the nation, Adams's primary weakness was his increasingly out-of-date political style. The last notable to serve in the White House, he acted the part: aloof, moralistic, and paternalistic. When Congress rejected his activist economic policies, Adams questioned the wisdom of the people and advised elected officials not to be “palsied by the will of our constituents.” Ignoring his waning popularity, the president did not use patronage to reward his supporters and allowed hostile federal officials to remain in office. Rather than “run” for reelection in 1828, Adams “stood” for it, telling supporters, “If my country wants my services, she must ask for them.” John Quincy Adams

13. Jackson’s supporters were not shy about running a national campaign. Their goal was to push policies that appealed to Southern planters and Northern farmers and artisans Van Buren and Jackson's supporters organized a massive campaign 1) 50 newspapers in NY declared for J on the same day 2) Mass meetings, parades, barbecues 3) “Old Hickory”…Jackson Forever At first Jackson’s followers were known as Democratic-Republicans, but later they became known simply as “Democrats”. Jackson and his supporters attacked the way government had run in the past, vowing to institute equal rights and popular rule The Election of 1828

14. Who was he? Born somewhere on the NC / SC frontier in 1767. During the Revolutionary War, Jackson had refused to follow an order from a British soldier, who slashed his face with a sword Jackson served during the War of 1812, gaining fame in 1815 for the victory at the battle of New Orleans…he was also popular because of his actions toward Florida Jackson

15. Jackson • Jackson stormed the election • 1. His hostility to business corporations and to Clay's American System won support among northeastern artisans and workers who felt threatened by industrialization.

16. Jackson • 2. Jackson also won the votes of Pennsylvania ironworkers and New York farmers who had been enriched by the controversial Tariff of Abominations. • 3. Yet…AJ called for a “judicious tariff,” which won him support from Southerners

17. Jackson • What did the election of 1828 mean? It was a victory for the “common man”. More people voted than had ever voted before. • Jackson was NOT like earlier presidents. He came from humble beginnings. He was a “common man”

18. Jackson’s Agenda: Rotation and Decentralization • Spoils System • Jackson vetoed four internal improvement bills in 1830

19. Peggy Eaton and the “Kitchen” Cabinet • Peggy Eaton • Earlier marriage…husband suicide • Married John Eaton (timing) • Reaction of AJ’s cabinet • Motives of Jackson • Kitchen Cabinet

20. Indian Removal • Jackson’s priority • Indian Removal Act, 1830 • Increasing calls for removal • MW & SW • For their own protection? • Five Civilized Tribes • Indian wants • SW…Cherokees, Creeks, Chickasaws, Choctaws and Seminoles • Mixed-bloods ruled the tribes by 1820s • Favored assimilation

21. Indian Removal • Alphabet, newspaper, slaves! • 1802 GA had given up its Western land claims • Federal Pledge • Jackson withdrew all federal troops in GA, AL and MS

22. Black Hawks, Illinois Bad Axe Massacre Cherokee sue! Cherokee Nation v Georgia Cherokee claimed they were an independent nation Supreme Court declared them “domestic dependent” nations Removal

23. Worcester v Georgia • GA law – whites need a license to live in CH territory • Seven missionaries refused to get them • GA arrested them and sentenced them to hard labor • Samuel Worcester appealed to the Supreme Court • Worcester v Georgia • Marshall ruled in favor of the Cherokee • He said that the NATIONAL government controlled Indian affairs • State laws had no effect in Indian lands

24. Jackson’s Response • Jackson refused to enforce the decision • 1835 Treaty • 1838 Removal