Chapter 9: Democracy in America

Democracy

A highly organized nation political party seen to expand the power of the “common man.”

Andrew Jackson

Lawyer, enslaver, general, and the 7th president of the U.S. Rose to fame as an army general who came from humble beginnings, which won the favor of the people; allowed him to become the president where he changed politics in America.

Missouri Crisis

A panic and Missouri applying to statehood: Pro-slavery vs against slavery.

Tallmadge Amendment

Missouri can become a free state if no more slaves are imported, and anyone born into slavery be released at the age of 25. Met resistance from Southern politicians and passed in the House but not the Senate.

Henry Clay

Representing Kentucky and was known as the “Great Compromiser”. He was an American politician, lawyer, statesman, and diplomat, and secretary of state during John Quincy Adams presidency.

Missouri Compromise

1820 and consists of 3 parts: Missouri and Maine as free states (2), while the rest of the Louisiana purchase territory should be divided by a 36 degree 30 ‘ line: Slavery banned in the north but allowed in new states in the South.

Adams-Onis Treaty

1819, gave Florida to the U.S. This was successful because of Jacksons military influence.

Election of 1824

4 people competing for presidency: Adams- Massachusetts, Jackson- Tennessee, William H. Crawford- Georgia, and Henry Clay- Kentucky.

• Jackson won popular vote, no majority which took to the House, Adams used his political clout to persuade Clay to support him, Adams won and Clay became secretary of state.

Tariffs

Hated tariff of 1828: Protectionist tariffs on foreign goods to guard emerging industries located primarily in the north. Southerners didn’t like this and it encouraged high tariffs.

Nullification crisis

When Jackson failed to address the high tariffs, Calhoun was in a sticky situation, so he drafted an outline for nullification, Jackson found out and they now had beef.

Petticoat affair

Also known at the Eaton affair, it was a disagreement of elite women in Washington. Eaton married Margaret O’Neale Timberlake 9 months after her husbands death and caused a serious scandal. People shunned Margaret and this affected Jackson, his cabinet, Washington, and Eaton.

Bank war

Andrew Jackson vs The Second Bank of the U.S.: He thought they were dangerous and blamed them for the panics. Only deposited money into selected banks this sparked much controversy.

Pet banks

An attempt to eliminate the Bank of the U.S.: State banks that were selected to receive surplus Federal Treasury funds in 1833. Jackson pulled government money out of the bank and placed it in state banks, which became known as “pet banks.”

Panick of 1837

Led to mass unemployment, blank closures, and domestic/international trade being interrupted.

Whig party

National Republicans, anti-Jackson movements: Part of the 2nd party system which formed out of the disfavor of Andrew Jackson and his Presidency.

William Henry Harrison

The 9th president of the U.S., 31 days in office- shortest term.

John Tyler

Vice president elected by the Whig party. Slave owning Virginia senator. Was pro-Jackson, then anti-Jackson but when he rose to presidency after Harrisons death he adapted Jackson like ideals which angered the Whig party- expelling him from their group.

Freemasonry

International network of social clubs with arcane traditions and rituals. Originated from medieval Europe. Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Andrew Jackson, and Henry Clay were all apart of this group.

• William Morgan threatened to reveal their rituals, this angered them, Morgan soon went missing- this caused people to see freemasons as dangerous.

Nativism

Anti-Catholic/Irish/German immigrants. Thought these people and their traditions/practices would destroy/corrupt the U.S.

Race and Suffrage

Trial of Tears: Displacement of Natives, Western expansion, and Worchester vs Georgia

Suffrage: The right to vote in an election

Worchester vs Georgia

All persons are prohibited, under a heavy penalty, from purchasing the Indian lands; and all such purchases are declared to be void.