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Essential Question :

This article explores the factors that led to the ascendancy of the Whigs and the rise of a permanent two-party system in America, focusing on Andrew Jackson's impact, the economic recession, and the beliefs and support bases of the different parties.

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Essential Question :

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  1. Essential Question: • What factors allowed for the ascendancy of the Whigs & the rise of a permanent American 2-party system? • RQ 11B (p. 362-375)

  2. The Impact of Andrew Jackson

  3. The Impact of Andrew Jackson • Jackson’s personality & policies alienated many leaders & led to the formation of America’s current two-party system: • The economic recession hurt the Jacksonian Democrats under Van Buren • The anti-Jackson Whigs took advantage of these flaws to make a run at the presidency

  4. Democratic-Repubs Thomas Jefferson States’ rights & individual liberties Strict interpretation of the Constitution Strongest support in South & West Supported by planters & farmers Federalists Alexander Hamilton Strong central gov’t & economic planning Loose interpretation of the Constitution Strongest support in the North Supported by urban workers, merchants, & the wealthy The 1st Two-Party System Leader of the party? Beliefs about gov’t? Interpreting the Constitution? Strongest regional support? What type of American supported the party?

  5. Democrats Pro-Jackson coalition in 1824 States’ rights, agrarian farming, & Western expansion Laissez-faire & opposition to banks Supported by rural South & West, some urban workers Whigs Anti-Jackson coalition in 1834 Strongcentralgov’t, urbanindustry, & commercial growth National & state-directed economy Supported by NE, NW, merchants, & some planters The 2nd Two-Party System The heirs to Jeffersonian Democratic-Republicans The heirs to Hamiltonian Federalists Who formed the party? Beliefs about gov’t & the economy? Both parties had national (rather than exclusively regional) appeal Who should direct the economy? What type of American supported the party?

  6. The Van Buren Presidency Take notes on the Van Buren video

  7. The Rise and Fall of Van Buren • VP Martin Van Buren was hand-selected as the Democratic successor to Jackson in 1836 • Van Buren won the election of 1836 but problems lay ahead: • The emergence of a strong anti-Jackson opposition (the Whigs) • The beginning of Panic of 1837 Van Buren replaced Calhoun as VP in 1831 after the Peggy Eaton affair

  8. The Whigs ran 3 sectional candidates to try to throw the election to the House of Reps

  9. The Rise & Fall of Van Buren • By the time Van Buren entered office, the Panic of 1837 caused: • Bank closures & failures • 10% unemployment & poverty • The laissez-faire philosophy of the 1800s prevented gov’t assistance to end the depression • As the depression continued, “Van Ruin” took the blame & the Whigs gained power & appeal

  10. Andrew Jackson is watching!!

  11. The Re-Emergence of the Second Party SystemTake notes on the Harrison video

  12. Heyday of the 2nd Party System • The 1840 election marked the return of the two-party system: • For the 1st time since the 1800 election, voters had a choice between 2 official parties • The re-emergence of the two-party system would remain a permanent part of U.S. politics • In the 1790s, parties were seen as bad; but in the 1830s, parties were seen as essential

  13. The Rise of the Whigs Picked a candidate much like Andrew Jackson’s image • By 1840, the Whigs were fully organized & chose William Henry Harrison to run against Van Buren • Harrison’s image: a “common man” & war hero at Tippecanoe • John Tyler chosen as VP to get Southern, states-rights Dems • “Tippecanoe & Tyler too” beat Van Buren in 1840 …and the Whigs took control of Congress Used grassroots organization & popular electioneering

  14. “Tippecanoe and Tyler, too”

  15. The Rise of the Whigs • The takeover by the Whigs was historic, but short-lived: • Harrison died 1 month into his term & for the 1st time, a VP took over as president • John Tyler soon butted heads with Whigs in his cabinet & in Congress & was unable to accomplish much as president • The Whigs only other presidential victory was in 1848 The Whigs expelled President Tyler from the party in 1841 Zachary Taylor

  16. Conclusion: Tocqueville’s Wisdom

  17. Tocqueville’s Wisdom • Alexis de Tocqueville was a French traveler who wrote the most influential account of the rise of U.S. democracy in the 1830s: • He praised most aspects of American democracy • But warned that American prejudice would lead to a future disaster if white males refused to extend liberty to women, African Americans, & Indians

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