Jackson’s Successors

Jackson’s Successors Chapter 11 Section 4

Martin Van Buren, Jackson’s Vice President, took the office of president in 1837

An Economic Crisis • Martin Van Buren was very different from Jackson • Politician not a war hero • Panic of 1837; the worst economic crisis the nation had known • 2 months after Van Buren took office

The Panic Begins • The panic had several causes • During the 1830’s government sold millions of acres of public land in the West • Farmers bought some but speculators but even more • Speculators borrowed money from state banks • When the bank of the U.S. closed state banks could lend money without limits

The panic begins • State banks began printing more paper money • Often not backed by gold and silver • Only had value if people had trust in the banks that issued it • Before leaving office Jackson ordered anyone buying public land had to pay for it in gold or silver • Many banks did not have enough gold and silver and had to close

Banks Fail • Panic spread • More and more people hurried to banks to cash in their paper money for gold or silver • Hundred of banks failed • Leaving depositors empty handed

Tough Times • In the worst days of the depression 90% of the factories closed • Thousands of people were out of work • Hungry crowds broke into warehouses and stole food

Van Buren’s response • The panic was not Van Buren’s fault but he was blamed • He took little action • He tried to set a more sable banking system • He cut back on expenses in the white house

The hero of Tippecanoe • Whigs chose a candidate that would appeal to the common people, William Henry Harrison of Ohio • Known as the hero of Tippecanoe • Whigs chose John Taylor to run for Vice President

The Log cabin Campaign • Harrison’s campaign reflected a new sort of politics • Politicians made speeches • Campaigned art rallies and banquets • Competed for votes by offering exciting entertainment

A war hero and a man of the people • American’s knew little about Harrison’s stand on the issues • To appeal to voters the Whigs focused on his war record • Created a “man of the people image” • Humble Ohio farmer who was born in a log cabin • In fact Harrison was wealthy, educated man from Virginia whose family owned a large estate

Attacks on Van Buren • blamed Van Buren for the economic depression • Both parties used name calling half truths and lies • newspapers reported the Van Buren spent thousands of the people’s money to install a bathtub in the White House

On the campaign trail • Harrison campaigned across the land making speeches and greeting voters • Whigs built a log cabin to use as their headquarters • Even set up log cabins in cities like New York • Parades featured log cabins on wagons • Whigs served plenty of free cider at stops

“keep the ball rolling” • In town across the U.S. Harrison supporters rolled huge balls down the streets • Made of twine and covered in slogans • Sold campaign souvenirs • Offered badges, handkerchiefs, and shaving cream with Tippecanoe slogan

“keep the ball rolling” • Bottle shaped like a log cabin • Women could not vote but they campaigned for Harrison • Wrote pamphlets, sewed banners, rode on floats, and parade with brooms to sweep Democrats out of office

A Whig victory at last • Democrats responded to Whigs with their own name calling • Harrison had resigned from the army before the war of 1812 ended • Accused him of not speaking in the issues • Harrison won the election easily • Forced Democrats out of the White House for the first time in 12 years

Whigs in the White House • Whigs wanted to create a new Bank of the United States and improve roads and canals • Just weeks after taking office Harrison died of pneumonia • John Tyler became President

Whigs in the White House • Tyler disappointed the Whigs • When the Whigs passed a bill in Congress to recharter the Bank of the United States Tyler vetoed it • In response Tyler’s entire cabinet resigned, except Daniel Webster • Whigs threw Tyler out of the party • Democrats welcomed Tyler • With few friends in either party Tyler could do little during his term in office

Jackson’s Successors