HST Chapter 9 Notes

I. Introduction

  • The American Yawp’s Nature

    • Collaborative text, continuously evolving.

II. Democracy in the Early Republic

  • Initial Beliefs About Democracy

    • Many founders were skeptical about democracy.

    • Alexander Hamilton warned about the "vices of democracy."

    • Elbridge Gerry emphasized the dangers of excessive democracy.

  • Popular Participation

    • Local political participation was widespread among various groups.

    • Founding elites feared public influence on government.

  • Democratic Principles vs. Reality

    • Democratic republic: sovereignty of the people beyond just elections.

    • Political elites gradually learned to connect with constituents.

III. The Missouri Crisis

  • Emerging Sectional Conflict (1820)

    • Increased tensions between northern and southern states.

    • Northerners felt disadvantaged in federal politics.

    • Concerns about slavery’s influence on policy.

  • Tallmadge Amendment

    • Proposed by Congressman James Tallmadge.

    • Suggested prohibiting slavery in Missouri’s statehood application.

    • Connected moral opposition to slavery with political balance.

  • Missouri Compromise (1820)

    • Admission of Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state.

    • Establishment of the 36°30' line dictating slavery's future in the Louisiana territory.

    • Momentarily resolved tensions, but the issue persisted.

IV. The Rise of Andrew Jackson

  • Background on Andrew Jackson (1767-1845)

    • Born in South Carolina to Irish immigrants.

    • Military volunteer during the Revolutionary War; harsh childhood fostered resentment towards British.

    • Became a successful lawyer and landowner in Tennessee.

  • Military Achievements

    • Key victories in the Creek Wars and the War of 1812 (notably the Battle of New Orleans).

    • Occupation of Spanish Florida (First Seminole War) and international political ramifications.

  • Presidency and Elections

    • Election of 1824 was contentious; Jackson won popular vote but lost in House.

    • Became president in 1828 after a divisive campaign against John Quincy Adams.

V. The Nullification Crisis

  • Contentious Tariff Policies

    • The 1828 Tariff of Abominations angered Southern states, particularly South Carolina.

    • Led to the concept of nullification, articulated by John C. Calhoun.

  • Nullification Doctrine

    • Argued that states could invalidate federal laws deemed unconstitutional.

    • Resulted in serious tensions between Jackson and Calhoun, culminating in public confrontations.

  • Resolution

    • South Carolina nullified federal tariffs but ultimately reached a compromise with Jackson's administration.

    • Jackson authorized force against South Carolina’s defiance.

VI. The Eaton Affair and the Politics of Sexuality

  • Background

    • Personal scandal surrounding Secretary of War John Eaton and his wife, Margaret Eaton.

  • Social Dynamics in Washington

    • Hostility from elite women led to Jackson's intense defense of Eaton.

    • Resulted in significant cabinet resignations and the disbanding of his cabinet.

  • Implications on Politics

    • Highlighted issues of gender, reputation, and personal relationships in political dynamics.

VII. The Bank War

  • Conflict with the Bank of the United States

    • Jackson's personal opposition to the bank stemmed from deep skepticism about its influence and power.

    • Believed the bank favored the wealthy and contributed to economic instability (e.g., Panic of 1819).

  • Presidential Actions

    • Vetoed bank recharter; attacked bank operations, reduced federal deposits.

    • Criticism led to branding Jackson as a tyrant by opponents, who termed him "King Andrew."

  • Formation of Political Parties

    • Opposition resulted in new political alignments; Jackson's supporters formed the Democratic Party.

    • Enemies became known as the Whigs, reflecting the deepening political divide.

VIII. The Panic of 1837

  • Economic Context

    • Initial economic boom post-Jackson's bank war, followed by a collapse leading to a severe depression.

    • Fed by speculative real estate practices and a credit bubble.

  • Consequences

    • Closure of many banks, increased unemployment, widespread financial distress.

    • Economic conditions contributed to political opportunities for the Whigs, rising as a viable opposition party.

IX. Rise of the Whigs

  • Formation and Strategy

    • Emerged from opposition to Jackson’s policies and the hardships of the Panic.

    • Focused on winning congressional seats and promoting anti-Jackson sentiments.

  • Significant Elections

    • Nomination of William Henry Harrison, emphasizing voter appeal through symbolism (e.g., the "log cabin and hard cider" campaign).

X. Anti-Masons, Anti-Immigrants, and the Whig Coalition

  • Political Movements

    • Anti-Masonic movement originated in the 1820s, fueled by fears of elitism and conspiracy.

    • Nativism grew, targeting Catholic immigrants, reflecting widespread societal fears of cultural change.

  • Coalition Complexity

    • Various factions within the Whig Party displayed regional and ideological diversity.

XI. Race and Jacksonian Democracy

  • Contradictions of Democracy

    • The expansion of suffrage for poor whites paralleled increased racial discrimination against Black Americans.

    • Laws systematically disenfranchised free Black men, contrasting with the inclusion of poorer white men in the electoral process.

  • Social Tensions

    • Emergence of racial and ethnic conflicts, exemplified by riots and cultural racism during the 1830s.

XII. Primary Sources

  1. Documents related to the Missouri Controversy, showing sectional tensions.

  2. Protests by Rhode Islanders seeking voting rights, highlighting class conflict.

  3. Veto message from Jackson regarding the Bank of the United States, expressing his suspicions of centralized power.

  4. Various accounts illustrating the impact of the Panic of 1837 on American society and politics.

XIII. Reference Material

  • Suggested readings and citations grounding the above discussions in established scholarship.