Andrew Jackson: The Common Man

1. Andrew Jackson: The Common Man http://profcivitella.wordpress.com

2. James Monroe’s Presidency 1817-1825 • Monroe Doctrine • represents the first true and concrete foreign policy for America • US would oppose any future colonization efforts by European powers of the Americas • US would stay out of European wars • European powers would not interfere with the independent states of Latin America • Monroe’s goals • expand American regional influence • open up Latin America markets

3. James Monroe’s Presidency 1817-1825 • Missouri Compromise • (1819) the Missouri territory wanted admission to the Union • Missouri was a slave territory • by 1819 the Union was made up of 11 free and 11 slave states • the debate • should Congress have the right to decide whether or not slavery was allowed in a new state? • north didn’t want slavery to expand • more slave states = more southern congressman/electoral votes for south • south didn’t want an end to slavery expansion • The compromise • Missouri would be admitted as a slave state • Maine would be admitted as a free state • maintaining balance in Congress at 12/12 • Slavery would be excluded from all new states north of Missouri in the Louisiana territory • The Missouri Compromise creates sectional/political division and helps end the Era of Good Feelings—one party rule

5. Elections of 1824 and 1828 • Election of 1824 signified a splintering of the Democratic-Republican party • 5 Democratic-Republicans ran for president • no candidate was able to win a majority via the electoral college, turn to the House of Rep. • Andrew Jackson (Tenn.) v. John Quincy Adams (MA) • John Quincy Adams would beat out Jackson • Henry Clay was promised a cabinet position if he helped get Adams elected (corrupt bargain—rewarding support with office) • those supporting Andrew Jackson and William Crawford would eventually become the Democratic party • those supporting John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay would eventually become the Whig party

7. Elections of 1824 and 1828 • Election of 1828 was the first election that presidential nominations no longer came from Congress but the states • Adams (National Republican party, eventually Whig) and Jackson (Democratic party) were nominated • each side waged vicious attacks • Adams had mistresses; was an intellect and not a real man (like Jackson—”Vote for Andrew Jackson who can fight, not John Quincy Adams who can write”) • Jackson was a murderer for killing deserters and men in duels; married his wife without being fully divorced from her previous husband • Andrew Jackson ran as the “Common Man” • Andrew Jackson wins the election

9. Democrats & Whigs • Both parties came out of the Democratic-Republican party • “Whig” was the name of the British party that opposed the monarchy in the 18th century • the American Whigs opposed Jackson’s use of power • Whigs were in favor of a strong legislative; Democrats a strong executive • Located? • Whigs—northeast; Democrats—south/west • Believed government… • Whigs—should use its power to better America (e.g., national roads); Democrats—should be small and let people be

10. Andrew Jackson’s Presidency 1829-1837 • Andrew Jackson • Tennessee farmer • champion of the common man • wanted to remove Indians from American land • pro-slavery • pro-state rights/anti-strong national government • nicknamed “Old Hickory” • thought government jobs should be open to the people • military hero from the War of 1812 • believed in majority rule and true democracy • inauguration turned into a White House lawn party

11. Andrew Jackson’s Presidency 1829-1837 • Andrew Jackson • as president had a close group of advisors—the Kitchen Cabinet • select politicians and newspaper editors who shared his beliefs • thought Congress represented the aristocracy and only Jackson was the voice of the people • vetoed more than the other 6 previous presidents combined • believed in rotating office jobs • but in reality he just awarded his supporters with political jobs—spoils system • vetoed the national bank chartering bill • the Second Bank of the US was up for charter renewal and Jackson spearheaded a campaign against the bank • the bank failed

12. Andrew Jackson’s Presidency 1829-1837 • Wanted to open up western lands for settlement • remove all natives west of the Mississippi • Indian Removal Act (1830) provided funds for the removal of natives from American land • 5 civilized tribes: Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, Seminole • Supreme Court case (1823) Johnson v. M’Intosh • Court ruled that natives aren’t the rightful owners of “their land” and are simply occupying it

13. Andrew Jackson’s Presidency 1829-1837 • Some natives left on their own, others were forced out (Cherokee), others fought back (Seminoles) • Trail of Tears • 16,000 Cherokee removed and forced to Oklahoma • 4,000 died on the journey • (roughly) 750 miles