The Rise of Jacksonian Democracy and the Missouri Compromise

1. US I Chapter 7 Section 3 The Rise of Jacksonian Democracy

2. The Missouri Compromise • After War of 1812, migration west of Mississippi increased tremendously • 1815 – 1819 Missouri Territory experienced some of nation’s fastest growth. • 1819 the M.T. applied for statehood. • M.T. had about 10,000 slaves • In 1819 there were 11 slave states and 11 free states. • What was the problem with admitting Missouri as a state?

3. MC continued • Adding Missouri as slave state would tip balance of power in the Senate giving the South more power. • Congressman James Tallmadge of NY tried to amend the admission with a gradual elimination of slavery in Missouri. • Slaveholders saw this as an attempt to ban all slavery; they reacted with alarm and anger. • Henry Clay led Congress in working out the Missouri Compromise

4. MC continued • The Missouri Compromise, 1820 • Admitted Missouri as a slave state • Admitted Maine as a free state • It banned slavery in the LA Purchase north of latitude 36°30’ –Missouri’s southern border (map p. 239). • This debate made Americans worry that the issue of slavery would return.

5. The Election of 1824 • Westward expansion played a big role in the election. • By 1820’s, voting laws more democratic, esp. in frontier states, where most white males could vote. • There was opposition to the nomination of candidates by Congress. • In 1824, many state nominating conventions produced many candidates.

6. Election of 1824 continued • Five Republicans: • William Crawford, GA (he came down with a serious illness) • John C. Calhoun, SC (he was only popular in the Lower South, not nationally) • John Quincy Adams, MA (anti-slavery, economic nationalist who appealed to the North) • Henry Clay, KY (responsible for the Missouri Compromise & the American system which was popular in the Midwest) • Andrew Jackson, Tennessee (he was a famous military leader and appealed to the rural South)

7. Election continued • Jackson received most popular votes, but none received a majority • Therefore, House of Reps were to choose one out of the top three. • Clay finished 4th and gave his support to Adams. • After Adams was elected, he made Clay his secretary of state. • Jackson accused them of being in cahoots and called it a “corrupt bargain.”

8. President John Quincy Adams • Adams had a stern and reserved personality. • He was unwilling to play politics and compromise with Congress. • Therefore, he did not achieve most of his goals. • He did support a wide variety of federal programs: canals, roads, standardized system of weights & measures, and a national university.

9. Election of 1828 • Andrew Jackson was a sharp critic of J.Q. Adams • He resigned from Senate in 1825 to run for president in 1828 • He was a rich lawyer & planter, but he portrayed himself as a “man of the people” stressed his military experience & frontier roots. • His “common man” image won the support of farmers, workers, & frontier settlers. • His supporters became known as the Democratic Party.

10. Jacksonian Democracy • The 1828 political campaign focused more on personality than the issues. • Candidates used personal attacks. • Adams purchased a pool table & chess set so people called him a snob who buys “gambling devices.” • Jackson was called a murderer, for his involvement in a deadly duel. • His wife was attacked because she was separated, not divorced from her 1st husband when he met her. • Some spread rumors about his mother.

11. 1828 election continued • Jackson won the popular & electoral votes. • His election reflected changes in American society, partly caused by the Market Revolution. • Old social structure based on social class at birth, gave way to a hierarchy based on wealth. • Jackson was seen as a self-made man, this gave hope to others. • The states dropped property requirements for voting or holding office, therefore, more men voted.

12. 1828 election continued • By 1828, voters (not state legislatures) chose presidential electors & public officials in almost every state. • Increased # of voters got Jackson re-elected in 1832. • In 1836, 1.5 million men voted. • In 1840, 2.4 million men voted. • The increased # of voters, regardless of class or property held, was known as “Jacksonian Democracy.”

13. A New Government • Why was Jackson viewed by the people as “one of their own.” • He was: a self made man, • a military hero, and • he had frontier roots. • He invited the public to a celebration at the White House, 20,000 showed up & made a mess. • He gave supporters govt. jobs, this practice was called “the spoils system”//

14. new govt. continued • Politicians could insure future support from state branches of their party, by giving government appointments to supporters. • Jackson believe in “rotation in office”(periodic replacement of officeholders), why? • Some officials became incompetent or unfaithful. • Some officials forgot that they were “public servants.” • Jackson only replaced 20% of govt. workers.

15. continued • During his campaign, Jackson promised major reforms. • People expected him to replace all govt. officials. • He appointed who he thought was qualified and kept those that were competent, regardless of political party. • Jackson believed that any American, regardless of social or economic class, could be well qualified to serve in government. • Jackson was considered the people’s president because he had faith in the American people’s ability to govern themselves.