Chapter 15

Jacksonian Democracy at Flood Tide,

1830-1840

Chapter Theme

Jackson successfully mobilized the techniques of the New Democracy and presidential power to win a series of democratic political conflicts.  But by the late 1830’s, his Whig opponents had learned to use the same popular political weapons against the Democrats, signaling the emergence of the second American party system.

Chapter Summary

A.    Jackson the Fighter-  strengthened the role of the presidency and used his authority as president against his political opponents.

1.      South Carolina-  forced them to back down from their nullification threat but backing down himself on the tariff issue.

2.      Bank-  made the bank the symbol of corruption and evil and then proceeded to destroy the bank and the shaky economy.

B.     Jackson and Expansion-  Native American Policies

1.      “Civilization and Assimilation”- tried to convert the Native Americans of the Southeast to lifestyle of agriculture and education.   Also religious groups tried to Christianize the native people.

2.      Removal-  White encroachment was calling increasingly for Native American’s land.  Jackson eventually supported the idea of moving all native people east of the Mississippi to Oklahoma along the “trail of tears” with the hopes that these people would be left alone once and for all.

C.    Jackson and Texas-

1.      Texan Independence-  After their leader (Austin) was jailed.  Under the leadership of Sam Houston Texas declared its independence.  Eventually winning their independence at the battle of San Jacinto after suffering devastating losses at the Alamo and Goliad.

2.      Jackson on Independence and Statehood- 

a.       Independence-  Jackson supported independence on his way out the door, but hesitated because of the possibility of pending statehood issues.

b.      Statehood-  A battle Jackson was not eager to fight, he refused Texas’ application for annexation to the United States.

D.    Formation of the Whig party & election of 1836-  unifying cause was hatred of Jackson

1.      1836-  Martin Van Buren- won his party’s nomination as engineered by Jackson but lack enthusiastic support.  Defeated William Henry Harrison in the general election only to be handed many of Jackson’s unresolved problems and enemies.

2.      Panic of 1837-  Jackson’s war with the bank and his insistence on the policy of hard currency land purchases brought the country’s economy to halt because of the lack of available money.

E.     Election of 1840-  the Whigs turn it around

1.      Economy, log cabins, and hard cider-  the handful of problems heaped onto MVB set him up for failure and lead to the election of William Henry Harrison who took the West and South, strongholds of Jackson.  Harrison wins largely due to the image he acquired as the dirty old farmer coming in from the plow to save the nation.  He was also a war hero like Jackson.

2.      Rebirth-  1840 election brought back the two-party system that had not really been around since before Jefferson.