chapter 9 (notes)

Rise of Democracy & Fall of Federalism

  • Democracy vs. Republic (Early American Republic)

    • The code of deference: an unwritten standard demanding respect for America's high statesmen, emphasizing virtues.
    • Example: Washington's legend (including the cherry tree myth).
    • The founding fathers began to be immortalized as virtuous figures.

  • Democratic Thinking Emerges (Post-1820)

    • Following 1820, rapid westward movement led to a shift in democratic thinking among a new generation.
    • New states began to advocate for the idea that all white men, regardless of property ownership, were entitled to the right to vote.
    • Historical Context: Originally, property ownership was a prerequisite for voting.
    • By 1832, most new Midwestern states had eliminated property requirements for voting, signaling the collapse of Federalist (old republicanism) thinking.
    • The new ethos of American democracy emphasized the idea that voting rights should be granted to all citizens, not just the wealthy elite.

Manifest Destiny & The Missouri Compromise

  • Exploration and Migration West

    • Thomas Jefferson commissioned Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the Louisiana Purchase.
    • They were joined by Sacagawea, a Native American who served as an invaluable translator, dispelling fears that the expedition was a war-party.
    • Reports of a fertile West and the Pacific Northwest fueled American aspirations to expand westward.
    • The aftermath of the War of 1812 spurred mass migration and the belief in Manifest Destiny, the idea that it was America’s divine right to expand across the continent from coast to coast.

  • The Missouri Compromise (1820)

    • The admission of Missouri as a state raised tensions due to the balance of power in the Senate, as there were already 11 free states and 11 slave states.
    • Henry Clay proposed the compromise:
    • Missouri entered as a slave state.
    • The northern part of Massachusetts (Maine) was admitted as a free state.
    • The compromise drew a line across future states:
    • States south of the line could permit slavery, while those north would remain free.
    • Consequences: While the compromise momentarily soothed tensions between the North and South, it raised questions about the implications of future territorial expansions beyond the compromise boundaries.

The Corrupt Bargain (1824)

  • Political Landscape

    • Local political machines emerged, rewarding supporters with political positions (known as the spoils system).

  • Election of 1824

    • Five candidates ran, all from the Democratic-Republican party (the Federalist Party had become defunct).
    • Candidates included: Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, and Henry Clay.
    • Jackson won the popular vote but failed to secure a majority in the Electoral College, leading the election to be decided in the House of Representatives.
    • Henry Clay, as Speaker of the House, made strategic decisions to ensure Adams' victory over Jackson.
    • As a result, John Quincy Adams was elected president, although he received fewer votes than Jackson.
    • Adams subsequently appointed Clay as Secretary of State, which infuriated Jackson and his supporters, branding the election as a Corrupt Bargain.
    • The fracture of the Democratic-Republican party resulted in a two-party system resurgence, concluding the Era of Good Feelings.

Presidency of John Quincy Adams (1825-1829)

  • Background

    • Adams was the eldest son of John Adams, previously Monroe's Secretary of State.
    • Advocated for the construction of canals and roads, aligning with the goals of The American System.
    • Adams' presidency was plagued by his controversial election and public perception of elitism.

  • Economic Policies

    • Tariff of 1828, labeled the Tariff of Abominations in the South, was implemented to protect Northern and Western manufacturing, further fueling regional tensions.

  • Election of 1828

    • Jackson's campaign centered on the idea that the will of the people was being disregarded by elitist figures like Adams.
    • Jackson's supporters embraced the term Democracy, leading to the establishment of the modern Democratic Party.
    • Notably, the donkey symbol of the Democratic Party originated from Jackson’s opponents depicting him as a jackass, which Jackson embraced rather than repudiated.
    • Jackson won the election decisively, reclaiming support from diverse regions.
    • His victory enabled him to reward his supporters with federal positions, although not without complications (e.g., theft by an appointee).

Andrew Jackson's Presidency (1829-1837)

  • Character and Leadership

    • Known as the Hero of New Orleans, Jackson embodied the spirit of the West, representing Nashville, Tennessee.
    • His decisive and commanding personality was both praised and criticized, especially regarding his leadership style and use of the spoils system.
    • Anti-elitist sentiments resonated with the farmers and rural Americans, albeit his nationalism emerged particularly in defense of federal authority.

  • Personal Tragedy and Administration Issues

    • Following his election, Jackson's wife Rachel died, leading him to blame political enemies for her death.
    • His niece, Emily Donelson, took on the role of First Lady.
    • Early administration scandal: the Eaton Affair, involving Jackson's Secretary of War and allegations against his wife, strained relationships within his Cabinet.

  • Nullification Crisis

    • The Tariff of 1828 continued to provoke discontent; although Jackson reduced it, he preserved parts of it.
    • Vice President John C. Calhoun resigned in protest of the tariff.
    • South Carolina attempted to nullify the tariff through state resolutions, leading to Jackson’s outrage and threats of military action.
    • Ensuing negotiations led to a reduction of the tariffs, preventing civil conflict while illustrating Jackson's complex relationship with states' rights.

Indian Removal Act

  • The Five Civilized Tribes included the Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Seminole, and Cherokee, who adopted numerous Western cultural practices.

  • Georgia's Conflict with the Cherokee

    • The Cherokee resisted Georgia's laws regarding encroachment on their lands, leading to legal confrontation.
    • The landmark case Worcester v. Georgia ruled in favor of the Cherokee, emphasizing the federal support of tribal sovereignty.
    • Jackson's retort was, "John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it!"—reflecting his disregard for Supreme Court rulings.

  • Indian Removal Act of 1830

    • Facilitated the removal of the Five Civilized Tribes to reservations in present-day Oklahoma.
    • Jackson ordered the U.S. Army to forcefully relocate the Cherokee, leading to the infamous Trail of Tears, which resulted in approximately 4,000 Cherokee deaths during the journey and around 8,000 deaths across all tribes displaced.
    • Public sentiment largely supported territorial gains at the expense of native populations—a reflection of prevailing attitudes towards majority rule at the time.

The Bank War

  • Bank of the U.S.

    • Established on 20-year charters (1796, 1816, 1836), the bank was viewed with skepticism by the public, often associated with elite interests.
    • The economic distress from the Panic of 1819 compounded distrust towards banks.

  • Election of 1832

    • Jackson campaigned on a platform to dismantle the Bank, considering the public's sentiment a mandate for action.
    • The federal government ceased to renew the bank's charter; Jackson purposefully moved federal funds to state banks (pet banks), effectively crippling the Bank’s operations before its official closure.
    • This action has been interpreted as a catalyst for the economic Panic of 1837, which unfolded post-presidency, demonstrating the long-term implications of Jackson’s banking policies.