The Age of Jackson

1. The Age of Jackson The Growth of Political Participation

2. The Growth of Political Participation • Americans have organized public meetings to discuss government • Newspapers provided news from various parts of the nation. Stories address local to national issues. • Entertainment shows are widely attended by politicians which allows them to talk to the public.

3. The Growth of Political Participation • New Western states constitutions do not have property requirements for voting or holding office • Western local government offices require elections as opposed to appointments • This causes office holders to appeal more to the people and openly speak to their constituents

4. The Rise of Jackson • People identified with Jackson’s “self-made man” image • Those that supported Jackson were men with little money but big dreams • The Age of Jackson is a period when political supporters are rewarded with government jobs this the spoils system

5. The Rise of Jackson • He was not really a champion for the “common man” in fact he was a slave owner with a large plantation • He may have acted like a frontiersman but he was more like a refined Southern gentleman. • He was paternalist and a man of opportunity

6. Mass Politics and Campaigns • Mudslinging is the act of using rumors or half truths to discredit one’s political candidate • The use of parades, political rallies and “name recognition” are used to appeal to the everyone. • Drinks and food are served at the polls. Fights break out at polling stations.

7. Adams is accused of being a pimp because. “he tired to procure a American girl for the tsar of Russia.(not true) Adams has made the White House into a gambling den.(not true) Jackson is living in sin with a married woman. (sorta true) Jackson had six soldiers executed. (yeah, that’s true) The Nasty Things You Say?!

8. The County Election by Caleb Bingham

9. Jackson and Democracy • The Democratic Party is born through Jackson and Martin Van Buren. • Called the “Little Magician” because he introduces mudslinging and patronage • The party is focused on the belief of “offering opportunity” to all white males and rewarding party loyalty.

10. Extending the Right to Vote • After the revolution it was believed that those who owned property,wealth and were educated should govern because they were not dependent on anyone • The differences of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson exposed that the nation indeed had many interests • This sparked the desire to expand suffrage (right to vote) to all males. Egalitarianism is the belief in equality for all men

11. “Mob Rule at the White House”

13. The Emergence of Sectionalism

14. Sectionalism • Sectionalism: occurs when a person is loyal to a specific region of a country instead of the nations interest • The country will be divided into three distinct regions • But there are actually more regions determined by their economies: Northeast, Northwest, Southwest and the Southern region.

15. Protective Tariff • Northern economy is based on trade, shipping and manufacturing • Protective tariffs benefits Northern industry because imported goods become more expensive

16. Southern Economy • Based on agriculture • Southern goods like cotton and wheat are shipped overseas and do not get government help from competition • Southerners pay high prices for imported manufactured goods

17. Taxes • The North benefits from taxes because tax money is being used to build roads, bridges and canals in the North • The South is paying taxes but does not see any of that money being spent in their region • Congress is controlled by Northerners who appropriate money for their regional interests

18. Transportation • Road and canal systems emerge in the Northeast and are linked to the Western markets • The South is left out of internal improvements

19. Slavery • Not really a dividing issue yet but… • A cotton boom led Southerners to defend slavery • The West supported the South’s defense of slavery • North supported the end of the slave trade in 1808

20. The Erie Canal

21. Northern Leadership: John Quincy Adams • Son of President John Adams • Started out as a Federalists but becomes a Republican • He supported the Louisiana Purchase, internal improvements and was against slavery

22. Western Leadership:Andrew Jackson • Senator from Tennessee • Military Hero and Indian fighter • Jackson doesn’t have a particular stance but appeals to the people

23. Western Leadership: Henry Clay • Sponsored the idea of an “American System” • Spokesman for a national road system and a protective tariff • Against slavery but he owned slaves?!

24. Southern Leadership: John C. Calhoun • South Carolinian congressmen • Loyal Southerner, protected the Southern way of life & supported state’s rights

25. The Nullification Issue • South Carolina passes a law outlawing the enforcement of the tariff • Jackson believes that if states are allowed to nullify federal law then the Union is in danger of collapsing • Calhoun believes that he is the defender of the Southern way of life and is determined to stand his ground.

26. The Nullification Issue • In 1828 a tariff was passed which injured Southern states. Southerners call it the “Tariff of Abominations” • The Northern states are not plagued by the tariffs or a depression • John C. Calhoun argues that states can nullify a federal law and have the right to secede

27. The Whig Party • The party forms out of dislike towards Jackson's policies. • Whigs believe that Jackson has overstepped his position as president • It is made up middle-class, Protestants, business men who strongly supported national improvements

28. “What about me?” • Women, Blacks and Native Americans are not given the right to vote • Hispanics are considered less than equals • Jacksonian Democracy was a celebration of egalitarian ideals for white males only!