chapter 11

Chapter Overview

• Chapter Title: The Growth of Democracy 1824–1840

• Source: Out of Many: A History of the American People, Ninth Edition

Focus Questions

1. Suffrage Expansion: How did the expansion of suffrage change American politics?

2. Jackson’s Presidency: In what ways did Andrew Jackson’s presidency affirm the new democratic politics?

3. Political Struggles: How did the major political struggles of the Jackson years strengthen the executive branch of government?

4. Two-Party System: How did the two-party pattern of American political democracy happen, and what issues divided the parties?

5. Cultural Identity: How was a distinctive American cultural identity shaped by writers and artists?

Political Community Moves Toward Democracy

• William Heighton: Played key role in forming the Philadelphia Working Men’s Party.

• Opposition to Aristocracy: Strong animosity towards the 'monied aristocracy'.

• Bank War: A significant political conflict reflecting class tensions.

• Democratic Absorption: The Working Men’s Party was absorbed by Jackson’s Democratic Party due to its lack of broad appeal.

The New Democratic Politics in North America

Expansion of Suffrage

• Voting Rights Evolution:

  • 1800: Voting largely limited to white male property owners.

  • 1820: Most older states dropped property requirements.

  • 1840: Approximately 90% of adult white males could vote.

• Continued Exclusions: Women and most African American men continued to be denied the right to vote.

Significant Events Impacting Democracy

• Foreign Independence Movements:

  • 1821: Mexico gains independence from Spain.

  • 1804: Haiti ends slavery post-independence.

  • 1837: Revolt in Upper and Lower Canada leads to significant political changes.

Key Elections

• Election of 1824:

  • Marked the end of the "Era of Good Feelings".

  • Five candidates, with Andrew Jackson winning the popular vote, but John Quincy Adams winning through a "corrupt bargain" with Henry Clay.

  • Jackson's popularity was a crucial factor in subsequent elections.

• Election of 1828:

  • Jackson won decisively, showcasing a shift towards popular political culture.

  • Campaign portrayed the election as a struggle between democracy and aristocracy.

The Emergence of Political Culture

• New Forms of Political Activity:

  • Development of mass rallies, parades, and elections with vibrant participation.

  • Increased use of newspapers to disseminate ideas and encourage public engagement.

• Political Participation:

  • Shift towards engaging a broader audience with a focus on the common man.

The Presidency of Andrew Jackson

Jackson as a Popular Leader

• Hero of the Common Man:

  • Celebrated for his military victory at New Orleans, becoming a symbol of the common man’s potential.

  • His inauguration attracted large crowds and chaotic celebrations, illustrating his wide appeal.

Jackson’s Executive Power

• Strengthening the Presidency:

  • Consulted informally with the "Kitchen Cabinet" rather than the official cabinet.

  • Utilized the presidential veto more extensively than any previous president, asserting greater control.

Conflicts and Controversies

• Nullification Crisis:

  • In 1828, the South Carolina response to the "Tariff of Abominations" leading to discussions of nullification and potential secession.

  • Jackson viewed such actions as treasonous, further solidifying federal power.

• Indian Removal Policy:

  • Enforced the 1830 Indian Removal Act, demonstrating executive defiance by ignoring Supreme Court decisions regarding the rights of the Cherokee people.

  • Resulted in the tragic "Trail of Tears" in 1838.

The Rise of the Two-Party System

Democrats and Whigs

• Democratic Party:

  • Favors the power of the common man, opposing government interference in economic affairs.

  • Strong support base in the rural South and West.

• Whig Party:

  • Ascended in opposition to Jackson, supporting a proactive government and social reform.

  • Mainly concentrated in the North and urbanized areas, fostering economic growth.

Campaign of 1840

• Election Strategy:

  • Whigs effectively campaigned portraying Harrison as a man of the people against an elitist Van Buren.

  • Resulted in a significant electoral victory with an unprecedented voter turnout.

American Cultural Identity

Growth of Popular Culture

• Significant rise in newspapers and printed materials fostering a shared culture and political discourse.

• Authors like Washington Irving and Ralph Waldo Emerson played vital roles in defining a unique American identity.

Artistic Developments

• Artists drew inspiration from landscapes and American experiences, contributing to a sense of national pride and belonging.

Conclusion

• Impacts of Jacksonian Democracy:

  • Major political changes led to a wider sphere of political engagement and community involvement.

  • Ongoing sectionalism and early conflicts foreshadowed future divisions in the U.S.

Key Timeline Events

• 1824: John Quincy Adams becomes president despite losing popular vote.

• 1828: Andrew Jackson is elected president.

• 1830: Passage of the Indian Removal Act.

• 1832: Nullification Crisis heightens tensions.

• 1834: Formation of the Whig Party in opposition to Jackson.

• 1837: Panic of 1837 emerges, raising economic concerns.

• 1838: The Cherokee people forcibly removed along the "Trail of Tears."

• 1840: William Henry Harrison wins the presidency amid high voter turnout.