Andrew Jackson and Jacksonian Democracy

Jacksonian Democracy

• Andrew Jackson's presidency (1829-1837) marked a period of significant change, ushering in the era of Jacksonian Democracy.
• This period was characterized by increased voter participation and a shift towards prioritizing the common man in government.

Early Life

• Andrew Jackson was born on March 15, 1767, in the Waxhaws region, on the border between North and South Carolina.
• His father died before his birth, and his mother died during the Revolutionary War when he was around 14.
• Jackson had minimal formal education but developed a strong interest in reading and self-education.

Education

• Jackson's formal education was limited, but he was a dedicated learner who taught himself law.
• He worked as a teacher and developed a reputation for his involvement in duels and brawls, establishing himself as a man of honor and determination.
• These experiences shaped his future leadership style.

Military Service

• Jackson participated in the Revolutionary War. He served as a courier and was captured by British forces.
• His experiences during the Revolutionary War influenced his lifelong resentment against the British. His service in the Tennessee militia and subsequent involvement in the Creek War (1813-1814) established his military reputation, particularly at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend.
• Jackson's military victories in the War of 1812, especially at the Battle of New Orleans (1815), made him a national hero and significantly increased his national profile.
• His Florida campaigns addressed border conflicts and included taking the Spanish outpost of Pensacola (1818).

Leadership Style and Politics

• Jackson's military achievements, particularly at New Orleans, were essential in shaping his image during his presidential campaigns.
• He was given nicknames like "Old Hickory" and "Hero of New Orleans."
• Jackson's leadership style was marked by a tough and aggressive way of leading.

The Corrupt Bargain (Election of 1824)

• The election of 1824 was controversial due to the fact that none of the candidates secured a majority of electoral votes.
• Andrew Jackson won the popular vote, but John Quincy Adams was ultimately elected president by the House of Representatives.
• Accusations of a "corrupt bargain" circulated, claiming a secret deal existed between Adams and Henry Clay, before the House vote, implicating Clay's significant political power as Speaker of the House.
• Adams appointed Clay as Secretary of State, a move seen as a stepping stone to the presidency.
• These accusations damaged Adams' perceived legitimacy and set a precedent for the increasingly contentious nature of future presidential campaigns.

The Election of 1828

• Andrew Jackson overwhelmingly won the election of 1828.
• This signaled a shift in American political ideals, with the rise of Democrats and an emphasis on the common man.
• Jackson's victory also highlighted a changing political landscape marked by the emergence of two distinctive political parties.
• The election's contentiousness set a precedent for the highly competitive and increasingly partisan nature of future presidential campaigns.

Key Issues in Jacksonian Democracy

• Corrupt Bargain Narrative: Jackson's supporters framed the 1824 election as a "corrupt bargain" between Adams and Clay.
• Rise of Democratic-Republicans: Jacksonian Democracy emphasized the interests of the common man, with an expansion of voting rights to non-landowners, which increased voter participation considerably.
• Campaign Dynamics: Personal attacks played a role, while Jackson was positioned as championing the common man. Adams, on the other hand, was portrayed as an elitist. Appeals were made to western voters, and emphasizing frontier values and westward expansion proved instrumental.
• The controversy over these policies significantly influenced political discourse, and set a precedent that long outlasted Jackson's presidency.

Spoils System

• The spoils system, or patronage system, was a political practice in which elected officials rewarded their supporters, friends, and allies with government positions.
• Supporters argued that the spoils system aligned with democratic ideals, aiming to open government opportunities to citizens regardless of social or economic status.
• Critics, on the other hand, viewed it as corruption and inefficiency due to the potentially unqualified individuals being brought in.
• It resulted in a rotation in government office, which supporters believed prevented the formation of a permanent bureaucracy. However, critics viewed it as harmful because unqualified and inexperienced officials held important government postings.

Nullification Crisis

• The Nullification Crisis began in the early 1830s due to the Tariff of Abominations, which imposed high tariffs on imported goods.
• Southern states, feeling unfairly burdened, challenged the constitutionality of the federal tariffs.
• South Carolina, in particular, declared the tariffs null and void within the state.
• Jackson vehemently opposed nullification and asserted the supremacy of the federal government. He issued the Nullification Proclamation and threatened military action to enforce federal authority.
• The crisis prompted significant debate regarding the balance of power between states and the federal government.
• A Compromise Tariff of 1833, proposed by Henry Clay, reduced tariffs, ultimately reducing tension in the crisis.

Trail of Tears

• The Indian Removal Act of 1830, pushed by President Andrew Jackson, authorized the forced removal of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands to territories west of the Mississippi River.
• This controversial policy was initiated because of westward expansion and escalating conflicts over territory.
• The Cherokee, among others, were forcibly relocated on a harrowing journey, known as the Trail of Tears, which resulted in numerous deaths due to hardship and disease, with devastating consequences for many Indigenous groups.

The Bank War

• Jackson distrusted centralized banking institutions, viewing the Second Bank as favoring the wealthy elite at the expense of the common people.
• He argued that the bank was unconstitutional and concentrated too much power in the hands of a few.
• Jackson moved to undermine the bank, directing the Secretary of the Treasury to remove federal deposits.
• The funds were transferred to state-chartered banks.
• The controversy over the bank's role, and the removal of federal funds, had short-term instability in the economy.

Jackson's Use of the Veto Power

• Andrew Jackson was known to use the presidential veto power frequently. He vetoed more bills than all of his predecessors combined at the time.
• His 12 vetoes reflected his position on issues of the time.
• This marked a significance change; using the veto was increasingly important for future presidents to consider.

Significance of the Election of 1828 and Jackson's Presidency

• Both the 1824 and 1828 elections marked significant shifts in political discourse and party formation.
• The elections involved heated arguments that centered on issues of national priority, which set a precedent for future elections.
• Jackson’s use of executive power, often with significant controversy, left an imprint on how future presidents would use their power and authority in American politics.