| 7. Andrew Jackson, 1829-1837, Democrat; VP - John C. Calhoun and Martin Van Buren
• Jacksonian Democracy—faith in the common man, against privilege and elitism • Jackson is sometimes a nationalist (supporter of national power) and sometimes a sectionalist (supporter of states’ rights and limited national power) • Spoils system/rotation in office (growth of party patronage increases power of political parties) • American romanticism flowers (Hudson River School paintings, American novels & poetry focus on American themes of freedom, individualism, natural environment) • Frenchman Alexis de Tocqueville visits the U.S. and comments favorably on American society’s lack of an aristocracy, American individualism, & the relative lack of obvious class distinctions. • Transcendentalism—intellectual movement focusing on individualism (Emerson, Thoreau) • Utopian Communities—Brook Farm, New Harmony, Oneida; communal living; inspired by transcendental thought & by disillusionment with changes brought by market economy • Universal white manhood suffrage—property requirements are gradually removed by states • The 2nd Great Awakening (salvation through good works)—camp meetings bring religion to the people, women are active in religious revivals • Age of Reform (temperance, women’s rights, prison reform) • America in Age of Jackson is undergoing economic transformation—market economy; helps increase sectional differences between north, south and west; also contributes to the belief that men and women belong in separate spheres (“cult of domesticity” for middle class white women) • Webster-Hayne Debate (growth of sectionalism v. nationalism) • Jefferson Day Dinner toasts (Calhoun v. Jackson) • Tariffs of 1832 (still not low enough for SC) and 1833 (Clay’s compromise tariff) • Nullification Crisis (1828-1833)—Jackson threatens to invade South Carolina (Force Act) when SC nullifies the tariff; Clay brokers a compromise tariff; SC nullifies the Force Bill (nullification issue never resolved) • Veto of internal improvements (Maysville Road)—Jackson believes roads should be built at local, not national, expense • Veto Bank of the United States Recharter Bill (not due to expire in 1836; but bill put forth by Clay to try to ruin Jackson’s chance of re-election)—veto message appeals directly to the people; argues that BUS favors the rich and hurts the common man & states • After vetoing the BUS and winning re-election, Jackson decides to “kill” the BUS by withdrawing funds and depositing them in state (“pet”) banks • Distribution Act 1836—Jackson orders distribution of budget surplus to state governments (federal deposits, now in private state banks, have to be withdrawn and distributed to state governments—causes a depletion of specie) • Specie Circular—because of a land speculation boom (fueled by easy credit from state banks), Jackson orders that only hard money can be used to buy western lands from gov’t (causes a run on state banks to redeem paper notes) • Wildcat banks (pet banks)—irresponsible state banks that printed worthless paper notes • Formation of the Whig Party, 1832—coalition of nationalists, former Federalists, Jackson haters • Indian Removal Act 1830—tribes remaining East of Mississippi River will be gradually relocated west • State of the Union Address—new Indian policy is humane; allows them to keep their culture (but not their land) instead of forced assimilation • Worcester v. Georgia (Chief Justice Marshall sides with Cherokees)—state of Georgia cannot take Cherokee lands; it has no jurisdiction over Cherokee Nation (Jackson won’t enforce) • 1836—Texicans (Americans living in Texas) win their independence from Mexico • Gag Rule passed 1836 preventing anti-slavery petitions from being debated (JQ Adams worked relentlessly to have it repealed; it was repealed in 1844) 8. Martin Van Buren, 1837-1841 Democrat; VP - Richard M. Johnson • Panic of 1837 –caused by over speculation on western lands/overexpansion of credit • Oversaw “Trail of Tears” • Amistad Case (Africans mutiny on a Spanish slave ship)—Supreme Court rules that Amistad Africans have to be returned to Africa as they were illegally kidnapped by Spain (Slave trade illegal); Spain claimed they were not Africans but Cuban-born slaves being moved to a new Spanish territory (it was just weird that they spoke no Spanish, only African languages) |