The Monroe Doctrine and the Jacksonian Era: Foundations and Transitions

Foundations of early American Foreign Policy

  • George Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality (1793):
    • The standard for American foreign policy in the early Republic was established when President George Washington issued this proclamation.
    • It was a direct response to the war breaking out between France and Great Britain.
    • At the time, France was also in the midst of its own internal revolution.
    • The primary goal was to ensure the United States remained out of international conflicts.
  • The War of 1812 and National Confidence:
    • The United States maintained its isolationist stance until the outbreak of the War of 1812.
    • While the war was not considered a definitive military victory, the fact that the United States did not lose to Great Britain significantly bolstered national confidence.
    • This outcome improved the standing of the United States on the global stage.

The Monroe Doctrine and Western Hemisphere Sovereignty

  • Context of South and Central American Revolutions:
    • During the 1810s and 1820s, revolutions occurred across South and Central America.
    • These revolutions involved Spain's former colonies breaking away to gain independence.
  • Establishment of the Monroe Doctrine:
    • Issued by President James Monroe, this policy was intended to support the new revolutions and protect United States sovereignty.
    • Key Provision 1 (Colonization): It established that all lands in the Americas were no longer open for colonization by any European powers.
    • Key Provision 2 (Acts of Aggression): Any further attempts at colonization by European nations would be interpreted by the United States as an act of aggression.
    • Key Provision 3 (European Affairs): The United States committed to not interfering or taking part in any internal European affairs.
  • Longevity and Influence:
    • This foreign policy was strictly maintained for more than one hundred years.
    • It served as a reference point for multiple 20th-century presidents, including Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Ronald Reagan.

The Rise of the Jacksonian Era

  • Election of 1828:
    • The election of Andrew Jackson marked the beginning of the Jacksonian Era.
    • This period is characterized as another "revolution" within the sphere of American politics.
  • The "Common Man" Identity:
    • Andrew Jackson was perceived as a "common man," a significant departure from his predecessors.
    • He was a planter from Tennessee and was not considered a member of the Eastern elite.
    • Due to the political climate, he likely would not have been a viable candidate just ten years prior to his election.

Expansion of Suffrage and Western Political Power

  • Rise of the Western States:
    • Following the War of 1812, western states began to accrue significantly more political power.
    • To attract more settlers to these territories, western states began implementing universal male suffrage.
  • Changes in Voting Requirements:
    • Universal male suffrage allowed all white males to vote regardless of whether they owned property.
    • The eastern states were eventually forced to adopt similar voting laws to remain competitive.
  • Jackson's Voter Base and Legislative Focus:
    • The new western settlers provided the primary voting power that led to Jackson’s victory.
    • Consequently, the legislation passed during this era favored the interests of these settlers, specifically focusing on providing cheap, available land and access to easy loans.

The Bank War and Presidential Power

  • Opposition to the National Bank:
    • As the first president of the new Democratic party, Jackson stood in opposition to Federalist ideals—most notably the concept of a national bank.
    • Jackson began efforts to close the Second National Bank immediately upon entering office in 1829.
    • Jackson took these actions despite a prevailing consensus in Congress that a national bank was constitutional.
  • Timeline of the Bank’s Destruction:
    • 1833: Jackson announced that the federal government would stop using the national bank.
    • Redistribution of Funds: Jackson removed all federal funds from the national bank and redistributed them into various state banks.
    • The Veto: Jackson vetoed attempts by Congress to draft a new charter for the bank.
    • 1836: The bank was officially destroyed when its existing charter expired.
  • Consequences and Censure:
    • This series of events became known as the "Bank War."
    • Jackson's actions were widely interpreted as an abuse of executive power.
    • As a result of his actions regarding the removal of the bank, Jackson was ultimately censured by Congress.