Democracy and the Age of Jackson

1. Democracy and the Age of Jackson Presented by; Ray Caraker, Sierra N, Gage Travis, Chris Wagner & Ashley Newfarmer

2. Election of 1824 • Monroe announces he won’t be taking 3rd term. • Differences between political parties under the surface. • 4 leading Dem. Republicans hoped to replace Monroe in White House. • Caucus of Dem. Republicans preferred William Crawford. • Caucus: Closed meeting of party members to choose a candidate. • Andrew Jackson& Henry Clay provided greater competition.

3. A Troubled Outcome • Jackson won more popular votes than Adams. • Jackson did well in the south& west. • Adams ran strongest in the Northeast. • Neither won a majority of electoral votes needed for election. • House of Representatives had to determine outcome of the election. • Clay gave support to Adams, who became President.

4. Cont. • Adams appointed Clay Secretary of State • Jackson accused them of a “corrupt bargain” • Weakened Adams’ Presidency • Adams pushed for a program on federal spending for internal improvements& scientific exploration. • Critics claimed it was “aristocratic,” favoring the higher class

5. Jackson Begins His Next Campaign • Jackson spent Adams’ term preparing for the next election. • Especially relied on Martin Van Buren • Buren worked behind the scenes to build support for him • Jackson traveled the country rounding up support among voters • 1824- states started to choose their presidential electors based on popular vote

6. Cont. • 1836- all states, excluding South Carolina, chose electors by popular vote • Use of caucuses replaced by more public conventions where people had bigger voice • 1776- ¾ all men met property-ownership requirements, but that number slipped • New state constitutions expanded electorate by abolishing property requirement increased election participation • Most of new constitutions took vote away from free blacks, women, and American Indians

7. Jackson Emerges • Mid 1820s: Jackson became symbol of American democracy • Known as Jacksonian Democracy • Jackson’s life reflected nation’s own story of expanding oppourtunity • Born in a log cabin • Orphaned as a boy • Wounded during American Revolution • Became a wealthy lawyer& planter in Tennesse

8. Election of 1828 • Jackson’s supporters now called “Democrats” • Jacksonian Democracy triumphed in 1828 election • The party promised return to Jeffersonian pronciples: • Strong states, weak federal government that would not interfere in slavery

9. A New Party Structure • New party developed disciplined system of local& state committees& conventions • Cast out anyone who broke with party discipline • Rewarded faithful with government jobs • Jackson awarded Van Buren by appointing him Secretary of State • Democrats defended use of jobs as rewards ford political loyalty

10. Native American Removal • Southern voters expected Jackson to help remove 60,000 Indians in region • 5 nations: Cherokee, Chickasaw, Creek, Choctaw& Seminole • Many had adopted white American culture • Sequoyah invented writing system for Cherokee language • Five southeastern tribes became known as “five civilized tribes”

11. Cont. • Many southern whites denounced Indian civilizations • 1827-1830 States of Georgia, Mississippi& Alabama dissolved Indian governments& seized their lands • Indians went to appeal in court& John Marshall tried to help them ruled land seizure as unconstitutional • Jackson ignored court’s decision • Indian Removal Act: sought to peacefully negotiate exchange of Indian lands in South for new lands in modern day Oklahoma