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First Party System
Initially struggle between Federalists led by Hamilton and Jefferson leading the Democratic Republican party. Federalists sided with Britain whilst the Dem-republicans sided with France over the French Revolution, after the War of 1812 federalist essentially disappear, as Britain becomes enemy nº1 leads to Era of good feelings (1916-1924) -
Marries Rachel Donelson Robards
Her Family is very rich. Jackson comes from a pourer background, he becomes a wealthy slave-owning planter thanks to his marriage and consequently buying The Hermitage. They are accused of adultery since she was still legally married to her previous husband when they get engaged -
Jackson leads troops in the Creek Wars of 1813-1814
Wins Battle of Horseshoe Bend and as a consequence in the treaty of Fort Jackson required Upper Creeks (Red sticks) to surrender of more than 21 million acres in Alabama and Georgia. Upper creeks were financed and militarily supplied by Spain and Britain as they wanted to prevent American expansion, in response the Americans allied with the Lower Creeks, Cherokees, and Choctaw Nations. -
Jackson's victory at the Battle of New Orleans against British
Cements him as a national hero. Battle is the climax of the Gulf campaign by Britain. Although Americans were less and lacked experience they were able to defeat the British who lost their commanding general and 2nd in command with casualties amounting to 2,000 in just over 30 min vs 71 American casualties. -
Panic of 1819
The financial panic of 1819 hurt many farmers, artisans, and other small businesses, which fueled resentment against the bank and its paper currency when a Congressional inquiry revealed that the institution, in fact, had acted irresponsibly during the crisis. The Panic provided a critical turning point for Andrew Jackson and other “hard money” advocates, who insisted that paper currency could never replace money backed by gold and silver -
McCulloch v. Maryland
National bank set branches in states that competed with state banks, states responded by imposing taxes on the federal bank’s operations. In 1819, the Supreme Court struck down a tax in Maryland as unconstitutional in McCulloch v. Maryland. The case ensured states could not tax federal institutions. But also the court’s ruling established the doctrine of implied powers by declaring the national bank to be constitutional. The National Bank was free of taxing-creates a monopoly, dislike by bankers -
First Seminole War: Jackson leads U.S. forces
In the ensuing Adams-Onís Florida ceded to America and new borders between Mexico (New Spain) and US settled -
President Monroe apoints Nicholas Biddle as the national bank's executive
Second Bank of the United States had been chartered under President James Madison (1808-1816) to restore economy after 1812 War -
Runs for President Against John Quincy Adams (Son of John Adams))
Jackson wins a majority of the popular and electorate vote however doesn't have enough for majority.
Majority: 131
Jackson: 99
Quincy: 84
In these cases it is Congress that decides who to appoint as President. Henry Clay was the Speaker of the House of Representatives and granted his support to J.Quincy Adams. Adams becomes president and names Henry Clay his Secretary of State (the 'corrupt bargain'). Essentially the HoR was a club of aristocrats and since Adams was one of 'em he got elected. -
Democratic Party is created
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Second Party System
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Tariff of Abominations: The Tariff of 1828 was intended to protect domestic industries by inflating the cost of imported goods by as much as 50 percent, making Americans less likely to buy foreign products and giving an advantage to domestic ones.
Protectionist
The Tariff of 1828 was desired by manufacturers in Middle and Northeastern states, as well as by farmers in Western states. However, cotton plantation owners in Southern states, who were heavily dependent upon trade with Great Britain, would be gravely affected Duty on hemp $35 per ton before the Tariff of 1828, after $45 per ton and was scheduled to continue to rise incrementally to $60 per ton by 1831
Wool faced a similarly scheduled increase, from 30 to 50 percent by 1830 -
1828 Campaign
Marked by large amounts of mudslinging. Jackson's marriage came under vicious attack as he had married his wife before her divorce papers were finalised. Jackson alos came under attack for being a slave trader who bough and sold slaves (not for using slaves in plantation work). Coffin Handbills attacked Jackson for his courts-martial, execution of deserters massacres of Indian villages, and his habit of dueling. Modern Campaigning introduced. -
Jackson's Campaign, Jacksonian Democracy:'equal protection of the laws; an aversion to a moneyed aristocracy, exclusive privileges, and monopolies, and a predilection for the common man ; majority rule and the welfare of the community over the individual'
Key Ideas:
-Voting right to be extended to all white men
-Manifest Destiny- Americans had a destiny to settle the West by Yeoman farmers
-Spoils system- placing political supporters in gov offices
-Strict constructionism- constitution fanboys
-Laissez-faire- no intervention specially in the economy-William Leggett of the Locofocos, contrary to whig policy of sponsoring modernization, railroads, banking and economic growth
- Opposition to banking- opposed gov-granted monopolies to national banks -
Jackson wins 1828 election: runs with the slogan 'Let the People rule', essentially a populist.
Adams represents the 'old elite' (National republicans later Whigs (1933)), Jackson is a 'man of the people' (Democratic Party) he represented Tennessee (16th state to join the Union 1796)
Reasons for win:
- Corrupt Bargain enraged people
- Increase in Franchise from 43,000 votes in 1788 election to 1.15 million votes, as property qualifications to vote are abandoned
Wins 55% of vote compared to 44% of Adams -
'South Carolina Exposition and Protest'
Southern states issue this legislature declaring Tariff of abominations unconstitutional secretly drafted by John C. Calhoun -
Death of Jackson's Wife
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National Bank by 1829
Approximately $35 million in capital. Jackson despised it as the more than 20% of the bank's stock was owned by foreigners and it was 80% privately owned- too much control over political system and an aristocratic and elitist institution Senator Daniel Webster led a motion in 1930 that narrowly defeated the resolution to not recharter the bank. Biddle appointed democrats to the boards of national bank branches and worked to speed up the retirement of national debt -
Petticoat Affair: Rumours of Secretary of War's wife (John H. Eaton and Peggy Eaton) spread that she had been sexually promiscuous, even a prostitute. Other rumours said the Eaton's had been involved in an adulterous affair.
The wives of the Cabinet members didn't socialise with the Eatons as a result, 'Petticoat politics'. This continued on to 1830,31 and Jackson believed it was Calhoun who was behind it all. Van Buren proposed the entire cabinet resigned over it and they did with the exception of the postmaster General Barry. Van Buren was rewarded with a nomination to the position of ambassador to Great Britain, but the Senate rejected him (Calhoun casting the deciding vote). Van Buren emerged as Jackson's heir. -
Petticoat Affair: Rumours of Secretary of War's wife (John H. Eaton and Peggy Eaton) spread that she had been sexually promiscuous, even a prostitute. Other rumours said the Eaton's had been involved in an adulterous affair.
The wives of the Cabinet members didn't socialise with the Eatons as a result, 'Petticoat politics'. This continued on to 1830,31 and Jackson believed it was Calhoun who was behind it all. Van Buren proposed the entire cabinet resign over it and they did with the exception of the postmaster General Barry. Van Buren was rewarded with a nomination to the position of ambassador to Great Britain, but the Senate rejected him (Calhoun casting the deciding vote). Van Buren emerged as Jackson's heir. -
Jackson's Inauguration as President
Came with a mourning band. Tired from the long trip from Nashville to Washington and still grieving, his voice was so low that his inaugural adress could barely be heard. Old Hickory was a man of the people- 21,000 attended the inauguration, John Quincy Adams (outgoing president) wasn't to be found amongst those present. -
White House Inaugural Festivities
Punch was spilled all over, cake was ground into carpets, souvenir swatches were cut from draperies and several thousand dollars worth of China was broken. Joseph story justice of the supreme court said "I never saw such a mixture the reign of King Mob seemed triumphant" Jackson, however, tired, in poor health, and grieving climbed out a second-story window to escape the hordes and went back to the boarding hotel where he spent the previous night and checked in again -
Jackson signs Indian Removal Act
Most member of Southeast tribes removed to Indian territory leads to Trail of Tears, widespread death and disease -
Hayne-Webster debate over protectionist tariffs
Essentially a debate on Federalism or anti-federalism. Union or sovereignty of individual states. -
1831 plan to recharter the National Bank
McLane (Treasury Secretary), who had secretly worked with Biddle, drew up a plan to reform the national bank in a way that would free up funds by selling government stock in the national bank. Jackson allowed McLane to publish a Treasury report recommending the National Bank's rechartering -
Bank War
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William Lloyd Garrison establishes The Liberator
Most influential abolitionist newspaper. He also established the Anti-Slavery Society which grew to about 250,000 members by 1938 -
Nat Turner's rebellion AKA Southampton Insurrection: On February 12, 1831, an annular solar eclipse was visible in Virginia. He believed the eclipse to be a sign that it was time to revolt, envisioning this as a Black man's hand reaching over the sun
A rebellion of some 70 Virginians killed between 55-65 people 51 of whom were white. The rebellion was squashed by the 23rd of August in Belmont Plantation but Turner survived in hiding for 2 more months 120 enslaved people were killed in the retaliation alongside 56 executed by the State. States introduced laws prohibiting eduction of Black People, restricting rights of assembly and requiring White ministers to be present at all worship services as Turner was educated and a popular preacher -
Biddle submits to Congress a renewal of the national bank's rechartering
He was urged by Henry Clay and Daniel Webster (the opposition who wanted to make it a key issue in the 1932 election) to bring it up even though the bank charter's wouldn't expire until 1936.
In May Biddle assents to a revised bill that would recharter the bank but give Congress and the president new powers in controlling institution, while also limiting the national bank's ability to hold real estate and establish branches The Bill passed on June 11 in Senate and on July 3 in the House -
Jackson vetoes the bill rechartering the Bank
"The Bank, Mr.Van Buren, is trying to kill me. But I will kill it" July 4th
Safeguarding the future of the bank was a high priority for merchants and bankers who relied on the country’s financial markets. But farmers worried that the bank worked in opposition to the nation’s democratic principles. Its opponents described it as a “many headed monster” and argued that the bank was actively creating an aristocracy that undermined the interests of ordinary people -
1832 Tariff
Tariff down to 35% for manufactured goods. For instance, the tariffs on hemp, which had been raised to $60 a ton in 1828, was reduced to a $40 a ton in 1832. -
Ordinance of Nullification
The ordinance declared the Tariffs of 1828 and 1832 “null, void, and no law, nor binding upon this State, its officers or citizens.” This theory of nullification by states has been repeatedly rejected by federal courts and the US Supreme Court, and threatened secession if the federal government tried to collect tariff duties by force- Governor Robert Young Hayne started military preparations to resist federal enforcement. -
1832 Election: Jackson faced a divided opposition between Henry Clay and the Anti-masonic party. Van Buren selected as running mate in first Democrat National convention (may 1832)
Important issues:
1. Bank War
2. Tariff and Indian Removal Biddle poured thousands of dollars into the campaign to defeat Andrew Jackson - interfering with the political process"The Campaign is over, and I think we have won the victory" Clay in July
Jackson won by landslide, his veto of the national bank was played as a defence of the common man against the tyranny of the elites. Jackson won 54% of votes, receiving 88% of vote sin Kentucky and Maryland. But Jackson lost the Senate -
John C. Calhoun resigns as Vice-President as he is elected as Senator of South Carolina
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Jackson and Temporary Secretary of the Treasury Taney remove funds from the National bank
They do this by depositing all future revenue in state banks whilst paying expenses from the National Bank's reserves in order to drain these funds
Jackson places this revenue in states banks which supported him and were labelled as 'Pet banks'
Biddle stockpiled the National Bank's reserves and contracted credit which caused interest rates to rise, he did this believing it would show everyone the importance of the National bank but it backfired, it contributed to a financial paanic late 1833 -
Force Bill passed
Authorised the President to use military force against South Carolina -
Compromise Tariff
Drafted by Henry Clay and approved by John C.Calhoun and Daniel Webster it set out to reduce tariffs gradually down to a level of 20%. And was accepted by the President and passed alongside the Force Bill -
South Carolina repeals Nullification Ordinance
3 days later they nullified the Force Act as a symbolic gesture of principle. -
Congress recovenes to discuss financial panic
Senator Henry Clay introduces a measure to censor Jackson for unconstitutionally removing funds from the national bank in the Senate where anti-Jacksonians have more power
In March 1834 Senate votes 26-20 to censure Jackson and rejects Taney as Treasury Secretary.
By mid 1934 the panic had ended and Jackson's opponent had failed to recharter the Bank and undo Jackson's fund removal -
Only president to completely pay off national debt
As national economy boomed after 1934 due to banks extending credit -
American Anti-Slavery Society launches mail campaign against the peculiar institution (the practice or institution of keeping slaves)
Tens of thousands of pamphlets and tracts were sent to Southern destinations through the U.S. mail. Southerners were extremely angry in some cases attacking post mail offices and burning thousands of letters (29th of July in Charleston). Southerners demanded the prevention for the delivery of tracts, and Jackson, after the nullification crisis wanted to please southerners. Postmaster General Amos Kendall decided to give Southern postmasters discretionary powers to discard the tracts. -
Gag rule
Denounces petitions of ending slavery as "sick sentimentality", declared that Congress had no right to interfere with slavery, and tabled all further anti-slavery petitions. One of the main opposers to this rule was JQA- abolitionist -
Nº of pet banks doubles from 33 to 81
Bill is passed that not only doubles pet banks but also distributed surplus federal revenue to states and instituted Jackson's proposed bank regulations of restricting the issuance of paper banknotes under 5$ and to require banks to hold in specie (gold or silver coins) equal to 1/4 of the value of banknotes they issued -
Specie Circular
As number of pet banks increases, regulation becomes more difficult to enforce and lending increases. As a result there is a boom in land acquisition: General Land Office sold 2 million acres in 1928 ---> 12.5 million in 1935 Jackson wants to curb land speculation so he issues an executive order that requires buyers of government lands to pay in specie. This undermines people trust in paper money. Congress passed a bill to revoke Jackson's policy but he vetoed it in his last day in office -
Panic of 1837
Specie Circular, although designed to reduce speculation, leaves many investors unable to afford to pay loans in gold and silver. This same year there is a downturn in the British economy and so foreign investment takes a hit. USA goes into a depression:
Bank insolvent
National debt increases
Business failures rose
Cotton prices dropped
Unemployment dramatically increases Lasts until 1841