The Era of “Good Feelings” and Jacksonian Democracy

1. The Era of “Good Feelings” and Jacksonian Democracy 1815 - 1840

2. Era of Good Feelings • 1817 – 1825 • James Monroe’s Presidency • Title given by journalist observing popularity of Monroe in New England • Misleading title

3. Missouri Crisis • 1819 – MO applied for statehood as a slave state • Disturbs balance of slave/free states (11 – 11) • Moves slavery farther north

4. The compromise worked out by House Speaker Henry Clay established a formula that avoided debate over whether new states would allow or prohibit slavery. In the process, it divided the United States into northern and southern regions.

5. Missouri Crisis • Proposal: gradually emancipate slaves in MO • Sectional lines are drawn in Congress • N supports • S oppose • Both sides accuse each other of leading country into civil war • Compromise drafted by Speaker of the House Henry Clay

6. The Missouri Compromise • 1. MO enters Union as a slave state • S happy • 2. Maine enters as a free state • Maintains balance • Mason – Dixon Line – dividing line that separates Union into free/slave; runs course of Ohio River

7. Missouri Compromise • 3. In the future, slavery prohibited by Congress in the Louisiana Purchase territory north of 36°30’ • Allowed for slavery South of 36°30’ line

8. Missouri Compromise • Many believed the South “won” the conflict • Land north of line deemed unsuitable for slave labor • Southerners agree that Congress could prohibit slavery in some American territories • Foreshadowed future conflicts between two regions

9. Foreign Affairs • John Quincy Adams – Monroe’s Secretary of State • Negotiated many agreements that impacted the US

10. John Q. Adams • 1. Oregon Territory – American access to OR • GB and US have claim to territory • Joint occupation for minimum of 10 years • Opened OR to US settlement

11. John Quincy Adams • 2. Spain and control of Florida • Conflict emerges after Andrew Jackson led US forces into FL • Protecting Americans from hostile Indians crossing border • Jackson occupied two Spanish forts • Hangs two British citizens

12. Spain and Florida • Adams/Onis Treaty • 1819 • Adams argues that Spain can not control residents in FL • Spain ceded FL to US • US renounced claims to TX • Spain abandons claim to OR

13. Monroe Doctrine - Background • 3. Monroe Doctrine • Early 1800s Spanish colonies gain independence • Include modern day countries of Mexico, Colombia, Peru • Concern over whether or not other European powers will move in to replace Spain

14. Monroe Doctrine - Background • 2. Russia • Fur traders explored along Pacific Coast through OR Territory • AK a Russian Territory in early 1800s • Russia establishes posts and US fears Russian interference to US claim in OR

15. Monroe Doctrine - Background • 3. GB proposed a joint resolution • Each would oppose European interference with newly independent nations • Renounce own interest in establishing new colonies in region • If US agrees, hurt US expansion and make Us subservient to GB (because US seen as junior partner in agreement)

16. Monroe Doctrine • Quincy Adams proposes US declaration of independence • 1823 – Doctrine emerges from Monroe’s annual message to Congress

17. Monroe Doctrine • 1. European powers cannot interfere with independent nations in the western hemisphere • 2. US would not allow creation of new colonies in the Americas • Aimed at protecting newly independent nations and stopping Russian expansion • 3. US pledges to stay out of European affairs • Greeks fighting against Turkish Empire

18. Significance • Foundation of US foreign policy • US essentially tells Europe to stay out

19. Elections • Monroe serves 2 terms (easy victories) • Election of 1824 • Candidates describe themselves as members of the same party

20. Election of 1824 - Candidates • Andrew Jackson (TN) – hero of the Battle of New Orleans • John Quincy Adams (MA) – Secretary of State • William Crawford (GA) – Secretary of the Treasury • Henry Clay (KY) – Speaker of the House of Representatives

21. Election of 1824 • 131 Votes = Majority Needed • All have support in their respective regions • Popular Vote ◊ Electoral Vote • Jackson 43.1% 99 • Adams 30.5% 84 • Crawford 13.1% 41 • Clay 13.2% 37 • Votes spread out because too many candidates

22. Who Wins? • No majority of electoral votes • Constitution states House of Reps chooses next President from top three finishers • Comes down to Jackson v. Adams • Clay was fourth • Crawford had a stroke • Clay couldn’t win but could influence decision as Speaker of the House

23. Corrupt Bargain • Clay and Adams in agreement on various issues • HoR select Adams • Jackson and supporters angered because Adams selects Clay as Sec. of State • Looked as if a “corrupt bargain” took place between the two

24. Corrupt Bargain • No evidence exists but the appearance still hurts Adams’ Presidency • Adams was a very experienced politician • Diplomat, Senator, Sec. of State • Administration met with opposition on issues including proposals for internal improvement, Second Bank of the US, funding for the arts

25. Election of 1828 • Following Adams win Jackson’s supporters began calling themselves “Democrats” • Called for return to the ideals of T. Jefferson • Mud Slinging • Adams accused of gambling for buying a pool table; accused of promoting prostitution • Jackson accused of being an illiterate backwoodsman and his wife called an adulterer and bigamist

26. Election of 1828 • Jackson wins • End of the “Era of Good Feelings” • Rise of Jackson seen as spread of Democracy

27. Jackson and Democracy • Jackson advocates elimination of property qualifications to vote – widely accomplished by 1840 • Inauguration attended by large numbers of people • “Old Hickory” has popular support • Supported will of the American people to govern • Voters should directly elect President and Senators

28. Tariffs and Banks • Tariff of Abominations • Congress passed a protective tariff in 1828 on imported items to encourage American manufacturers • Unpopular in South • Raised cost of manufactured items • Other nations established tariffs hurting American exports

29. Tariff of Abominations • Anonymous author of “South Carolina Exposition and Protest” responds • Calls Tariff unconstitutional • Says states have to nullify • Eventually revealed that author was John C. Calhoun, Jackson’s VP • Arguments similar to political theories of Madison and Jefferson in VA and KY Resolutions • What were the VA/KY Resolutions responding to?

30. Questions for Discussion • What was significant about the strong spirit of nationalism that appeared in America from 1815 to 1824? What were its accomplishments? • To what extent did the Missouri Compromise effectively deal with the sectional conflict over slavery? Or did it merely shove it out of view?

31. Nullification Crisis • Jackson was not a big supporter of high tariffs • But totally rejected idea of nullification • Caused split between Jackson and VP Calhoun • Calhoun resigned

32. Compromise • 1833- new tariff that gradually lowered tariff rates • Force Bill – allowed President the use of force to collect tariff revenue • Authored by Henry Clay (The Great Compromiser)

33. Bank Crisis • Jackson distrusted Bank of the US • Believed its policies had influenced the Panic of 1819 • 1832 – Congress passes a renewal of Bank’s charter • Jackson vetoed legislation • Unconstitutional • Harmful to the nation because it only served the wealthy members of society

34. Bank Crisis • Jackson defeats Henry Clay in the Election of 1832 • Continues assault on Bank of US • Jackson withdraws federal money from Bank of the US and deposited funds into “pet banks” in the states • Short term impact – facilitates loans for farmers • Long term impact – lead to economic downturn in 1837; many state banks were unregulated at the time • 1836 – Bank’s charter expired

35. Published in 1833, this political cartoon entitled "The Diplomatic Hercules [Andrew Jackson] Attacking the Political Hydra [The Second Bank of the United States]" illustrates why the Bank War enhanced rather than hurt Jackson at the polls. Many voters saw the bank as a monster that used its tentacles of complicated financial policy to choke common people while enriching the speculators and merchants who supported it.

36. Andrew Jackson, aided by Martin Van Buren (center), attacks the Bank of the United States, which, like the many-headed serpent Hydra of Greek mythology, keeps sprouting new heads. The largest head belongs to Nicholas Biddle, the bank’s president.

37. Jackson’s Opponents • Whigs – party opposed to Jackson • Called Jackson “King Andrew I) • Whig was name given to opponents of King George III in Parliament • Emergence of Democrats as well as the second party system

38. Limits to Democracy • Jackson linked to ideals of democracy throughout presidency • 1. Jackson was a slave holder • By 1840, about 140 slaves living on Jackson’s plantation (the Hermitage) in TN • 2. Did not support equality for women • Against women’s suffrage • 3. Indian Removal

39. Political Cartoon • This cartoon, which depicts Native Americans as children or dolls subject to father Andrew Jackson, was intended as a satire on Jackson’s policy of forcibly removing the Indians to reservations. The painting in the upper right corner pointedly depicts the goddess Liberty trampling a tyrant.

40. Andrew Jackson imposed the Treaty of Fort Jackson on the Creek nation, ending the campaign against the Red Sticks. The treaty required the Creeks to pay the costs of the war, which Jackson estimated as the equivalent of 20 million acres. In moving the Creeks out of what is now central Alabama, Jackson initiated the Indians' forced removal from the south. Ironically, of the thirty-five chiefs who made their mark on the treaty, part of which is shown here, only one was a member of the Creek nation.

41. Removal of Native Americans from the South, 1820–1840 Over a twenty-year period, the federal government and southern states forced Native Americans to exchange their traditional homes for western land. Some tribal groups remained in the South, but most settled in the alien western environment.

42. Indian Removal • Natives seen as a barrier to American expansion and economic advancement • Jackson supports removal to “Great American Desert”

43. Cherokee • Cherokee told to assimilate into US society following American Revolution • Adopted a written constitution • Grew cotton • Some owned slaves • Georgia tried to assert authority over Cherokee land after finding gold

44. Indian Removal • Marshall argues Cherokees should not be forced to move • Jackson ignores Supreme Court ruling and pushes for removal • Minor Cherokee leaders agree to give up land for money • 1838 – Trail of Tears: forced removal • 15,000- 18,000 • ¼ die • Move from GA to OK

45. Conclusion • Missouri Compromise and Monroe Doctrine important events in this era • Describe the accomplishments and limitations of Andrew Jackson’s Presidency. Overall, how would you evaluate his years in office?