Election of 1828: Jackson vs. Democrats

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Questions and Answers

What was a major theme of Jackson's campaign for the election of 1828?

Appealing to the common man (correct)

Focus on foreign relations

Centralized power

Preservation of existing political structures

How did the election of 1828 mark a shift in American politics?

It restricted voting rights based on property ownership.

It resulted in the abolition of slavery.

It began the democratization of politics. (correct)

It led to the establishment of the two-party system.

What impact did new western states have on the political landscape during Jackson's era?

They reinforced property qualifications.

They led to a decrease in political participation.

They made voting more accessible by eliminating property requirements. (correct)

They encouraged the rise of the Democratic Party.

Which phrase is associated with Daniel Webster during the Webster-Hayne debate?

Liberty and union, now and forever, one and inseparable! Signup and view all the answers

What was Jackson's stance on federal revenues from tariffs?

He proposed distributing leftover federal revenues to the states. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Jackson veto the Maysville Road project?

He wanted local projects managed by state governments. Signup and view all the answers

What characterized the political environment during the Jacksonian era?

Shift towards appealing to the general public. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the consequences of the rise of the common man during the Jacksonian era?

Development of the free school movement. Signup and view all the answers

What action did Georgia take regarding Cherokee laws and land?

Georgia disregarded all Cherokee laws and claimed Cherokee land. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best represents Andrew Jackson's view on the nullification crisis?

He believed nullification could lead to disunion and treason. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Specie Circular issued by Jackson intended to address?

It required land purchases to be made in gold or silver. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant result of Andrew Jackson's Bank War?

A financial panic due to withdrawal of funds from the bank. Signup and view all the answers

How did John Calhoun's views on federalism differ from Andrew Jackson's?

Calhoun believed states should resist federal laws. Signup and view all the answers

What was the consequence of the Trail of Tears?

Cherokees were removed from their ancestral lands, leading to suffering. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the force bill passed by Congress during the nullification crisis?

To authorize the president to use troops to enforce federal laws. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement describes the outcomes of Jackson's policies?

They led to an economic panic and increased distrust in banks. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary goal of Jackson's spoils system?

To give government jobs to a broader segment of the population. Signup and view all the answers

What advantage did the Whig Party have during the election of 1840?

Effective marketing campaigns to appeal to voters. Signup and view all the answers

What approach did Martin Van Buren take towards federal banking during his presidency?

He removed the government from all banking activities. Signup and view all the answers

Which describes Andrew Jackson's foreign affairs management?

He achieved some successes, but acted rashly at times. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement characterizes the political influence of Nicholas Biddle during Jackson's presidency?

He acted to combat Jackson's financial strategies. Signup and view all the answers

What was a defining trait of Jackson's presidency, according to critiques?

He often made decisions without considering the consequences. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Election of 1828: National Republicans v. Democrats

Jackson, angered by losing the 1824 election, immediately campaigned for 1828.
His campaign focused on connecting with the "common man."
He opposed centralized power and championed the views of the people.
His relatable personality and direct campaigning style (speeches, rallies) won him widespread support.
Jackson's victory marked the beginning of the Jacksonian era and a shift towards more democratic politics.

Democratizing Politics

Jackson believed the people's inherent sense of right made them capable of governing effectively.
Western states removed property qualifications for voting and holding office, reflecting the rise of the common man.
Most states (except Delaware and South Carolina) moved to electing officials by popular vote.
The era saw the rise of public education with a focus on free schools.
Increased voting rights and public participation led to candidates emphasizing public appeal in campaigns, marketing, and organized party structures – reflecting modern political strategies.

Sectional Tensions Revived / Webster-Hayne Debate

The debate stemmed from Senator Foote's resolution proposing raising land prices.
Webster famously declared "Liberty and UNION, now and forever, one and inseparable!"
Jackson favored reduced tariffs and suggested distributing surplus federal revenue to the states.
However, western states wanted lower land prices and clashed with southern interests.
Webster's stance blocked regional alliances on land and tariff.

Maysville Road

Jackson vetoed the Maysville Road project because the road was entirely within Kentucky, preferring local projects to be a state responsibility.

Worcester v. Georgia

Georgia declared Cherokee laws void, claiming Cherokee land as Georgia's.
The Supreme Court (John Marshall) ruled against Georgia's claim, affirming Cherokee autonomy.
Jackson ignored the Supreme Court ruling, asserting that no nation could exist within US borders.

Cherokee Nation

The Cherokee tribe tried to assimilate, adopting white ways to protect their land.
The US disregarded many previous treaties with Native American tribes.

Trail of Tears

Thousands of Native Americans were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands by Jackson.
The removal was devastating and had significant international consequences.

Nullification Crisis

Calhoun argued that states could nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional.
Jackson viewed nullification as treason, threatening military force.
A tariff reduction and the "Force Bill" (authorizing the president to enforce federal laws) resolved the crisis, and South Carolina repealed its nullification ordinance.

Bank War

Jackson promised to destroy the National Bank.
He vetoed the bank's recharter bill.
Jackson withdrew government funds from the bank.
Nicholas Biddle, the bank president, fought back, leading to a financial crisis.

Boom and Bust

Increased currency led to rising land prices and a government surplus.
But the specie circular (requiring land payments in gold or silver) caused a financial panic.
State banks (pet banks) often held federal funds and lacked stability, contributing to instability.

Jacksonian Policies

Jackson, the "man of the people," vetoed many bills and often acted without consulting others.
His policies impacted foreign affairs, despite some diplomatic successes (trade agreements).

Kitchen Cabinet

Jackson relied on an informal group of advisors (Kitchen Cabinet) rather than official cabinet members.
This highlighted Jackson’s personal loyalty over established procedures.

Spoils System

Jackson's policy rotated federal positions among citizens.
This meant that those loyal to him were rewarded with government jobs.

John Calhoun

A significant Southern figure, Calhoun strongly opposed Jackson and disagreed on states' rights.

Roger Taney

Chief Justice during the Dred Scott case, he ruled that enslaved people were not citizens and unable to sue.

Whigs

Led by Henry Clay, the Whigs were a less unified opposition against Jackson's policies.

Martin Van Buren

Jackson's successor, Van Buren faced the Panic of 1837 upon taking office.
He proposed economic measures (Treasury Independent Act) but had limited success due to circumstances.

Panic of 1837

Jackson's policies, particularly the Specie Circular, played a role in triggering the Panic of 1837.
The crisis lasted until about 1843 with falling cotton prices and state government defaults.

Election of 1840

The Panic of 1837 hurt the Democrats.
The Whigs organized and used marketing ("Log Cabin Campaign") strategies to win.
William Henry Harrison's victory marked the end of Van Buren's presidency.

William Henry Harrison and John Tyler

Harrison, a Whig president, died soon after taking office, and John Tyler became president.

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Description

Explore the pivotal Election of 1828 where Andrew Jackson campaigned against the National Republicans. This quiz covers Jackson's effective strategies to connect with the common man, the democratization of politics, and the significant changes in voter participation during this era.