Andrew Jackson and the Growth of American Democracy
Chapter 14: Andrew Jackson and the Growth of American Democracy
14.1 Introduction
The presidential campaign of 1828: one of the dirtiest in American history.
Candidates:
John Quincy Adams: the nation's sixth president.
Andrew Jackson: popular hero from the Battle of New Orleans.
Campaign Tactics:
Both sides employed mudslinging, or the practice of making reckless accusations.
Adams was accused of:
Being a "Sabbath-breaker" for traveling on Sunday.
Being an alcoholic (false).
Using public funds to purchase gambling furniture for the White House (actually purchased with his own money).
Having a peculiar habit of swimming naked in the Potomac River, which was overlooked.
Jackson's portrayal:
Accused of being crude and ignorant.
His wife Rachel was accused of immoral behavior regarding her previous marriage (not true).
Jackson’s mother falsely accused of immoral behavior.
Known as “Old Hickory” for his toughness.
Emotional response to the false accusations: broke down and cried when reading them.
Election Outcome:
Jackson was the people's choice, but not that of the upper class (planters, merchants, bankers).
Senator Daniel Webster expressed concern about Jackson's unpredictable nature as president.
Controversial Presidency:
Jackson’s presidency viewed differently by various groups including the rich, common people, Native Americans, and states' rights supporters.
14.2 The Inauguration of Andrew Jackson
Date: March 4, 1829.
Inauguration Day Scene:
More than 10,000 people from every state flocked to Washington, D.C.
Local accommodations overwhelmed; people slept five to a bed and consumed large amounts of whiskey.
Many were first-time voters.
Observations from Senator Webster highlighted the unprecedented nature of the crowd.
Historical Context of Voting:
Voting rights were previously limited to wealthy white men with property, deemed the only ones capable of voting wisely.
New states in the West began to change this, pushing for voting rights for all men, regardless of wealth.
By 1828, over one million Americans voted, three times more than in 1824.
Public Sentiment:
Many new voters felt they rescued the country from corrupt elites.
Jackson promised to remove the corrupt from government and return power to the people.
Post-Inauguration Chaos:
Following Jackson’s oath, the crowd surged into the White House, leading to chaotic scenes.
Eyewitness Margaret Bayard Smith documented the disorder, noting a significant focus on Jackson as the “people’s president.”
14.3 From the Frontier to the White House
Jackson’s Background:
Born in 1767 on the South Carolina frontier into poverty.
His father died before his birth, leading to a rough upbringing.
Known for his hot temper and fighting spirit.
Early Life and Military Involvement:
At age 13, joined the militia during the American Revolution and was captured by British forces.
Rejecting mistreatment, he demanded to be treated as a prisoner of war and suffered wounds from an officer's sword.
Legal Career:
Worked in a law office in North Carolina, gaining a reputation as a lively, mischievous individual.
Moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1788 to practice law, witnessing the town's rapid growth.
Became affluent and acquired land and slaves, striving to become a gentleman planter.
Political Career: Early Politics
Engaged in politics in Tennessee, serving in the House and Senate.
Rose to national fame as a military leader during the Battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812.
Presidential Campaign of 1824:
Ran against three candidates: Henry Clay, William Crawford, and John Quincy Adams.
Although he won the most electoral votes, he lacked a majority, leading the House of Representatives to choose Adams as president.
Accusations of a "corrupt bargain" emerged regarding the support of Clay for Adams’ election.
Democratic Party Formation:
After the election defeat, Jackson's supporters formed the Democratic Party to represent ordinary Americans rather than elites.
Campaign Strategy:
Organized rallies, parades, and picnics to garner support.
Use of campaign songs and slogans emphasized Jackson's connection to the people.
Ultimately resulted in Jackson's victory in the 1828 election, representing a significant ideological shift towards Jacksonian Democracy.
14.4 Jackson's Approach to Governing
Governing Style:
Jackson made decisions based on his beliefs after consulting others, reflecting his style of military leadership.
Kitchen Cabinet:
Rather than relying on the official cabinet, Jackson used close friends and supporters for guidance, often meeting in the White House kitchen.
This raised suspicion among elites regarding the competence of these advisors.
Spoils System:
Jackson replaced many Republican officials with loyal Democrats, advocating for job rotation and against lifetime appointments.
Critics described this practice as the spoils system, a term derived from the saying "to the victor belong the spoils of war."
Only about 10% of civil servants were replaced, but the idea of political patronage was controversial.
14.5 The Nullification Crisis
Background on Tariffs:
In 1828, Congress passed a tariff law intended to promote American manufacturing, raising import costs for Southern states.
Northern states supported tariffs due to industrial interests, whereas Southern states viewed them as detrimental to trade.
Calhoun and the Nullification Doctrine:
John C. Calhoun, Jackson's vice president, argued for the South's right to nullify the tariffs.
South Carolina threatened secession if the tariffs were enforced.
Jackson's Response:
Outraged by South Carolina's threats, Jackson supported the Force Bill allowing military intervention to enforce tariff collection.
A compromise law reducing tariffs was also passed.
South Carolina ultimately backed down, but tensions between the North and South intensified, foreshadowing future conflicts.
14.6 Jackson Battles the Bank of the United States
Conflict with the Bank:
Jackson regarded the Bank of the United States as a barrier for farmers and workers, favoring elite interests instead.
Distrusted the Bank's president, Nicholas Biddle, due to his background as a wealthy, educated individual contrasting with Jackson’s own roots.
Bank Recharter Challenge:
Henry Clay attempted to renew the Bank's charter early to force Jackson into a politically difficult position.
Jackson vetoed the accord, framing the Bank as an unconstitutional monopoly.
Removal of Federal Deposits:
Ordered removal of federal funds from the Bank to state banks, referred to as “pet banks.”
Despite pleas from business leaders, Jackson saw this as an act of enforcing economic democracy.
14.7 Jackson's Indian Policy
Jackson's Attitude Towards Native Americans:
As a prominent Indian fighter, Jackson had little sympathy for Native Americans and promoted policies for their removal.
Historical Context of Native American Treaties:
Initial treaties attempted to establish boundaries for Indian lands, but whites increasingly encroached upon these lands.
By the time Jackson assumed the presidency, only about 125,000 Native Americans remained in the East, with many displaced or dying due to war and disease.
Indian Removal Act of 1830:
Permitted treaties to relocate Native Americans in exchange for lands in the West, with military force often employed against resistant tribes.
The Trail of Tears:
Denied rights upheld by the Supreme Court, Jackson's policies resulted in the forced migration of thousands of Native Americans, such as the Cherokee, leading to thousands of deaths along the way.
Documented by soldiers and contemporaries as inhumane and a source of deep shame for some observers.
14.8 Chapter Summary
This chapter reviewed the presidency of Andrew Jackson, illustrating the celebratory rise of his support among ordinary people contrasted with elite concerns.
Key events included the contributions of first-time voters, Jackson’s style of governance via the Kitchen Cabinet, wartime economic battles against the Bank of the United States, and the nullification crisis revealing rifts developing between North and South.
The Indian Removal Act highlighted Jackson's policy of relocating Native Americans, essentially moving the conflict rather than resolving it.
Jackson’s legacy remains complex, reflecting both democratic ideals and significant human cost to marginalized groups.