President Jackson led the most improbably of Reforms “The America of Andrew Jackson professed a lives – soldier, brawler, lawyer, duelist, romantic Jackson fulfilled his promise of broadening the love of democracy but was willing to live with and politician; anything but a scholar. Father died influence of the citizenry in government, although inequity; aimed for social justice but was when he was under 1 and he was orphaned at age not without controversy over his methods. prone to racism and intolerance; believed 14 (the Revolutionary War claimed lives of Jacksonian policies included ending the Bank itself one nation but was narrowly divided and mother and brothers). He spent his life seeking of the United States fought close elections, and; occasionally order amid chaos and authority among men. He Territorially expanding the nation westward acted arrogantly toward other countries while was the first president targeted for assassination, Removing American Indians from the craving respect from them at the same time.” and the only one to attack his assailant. Southeast. Author Jon Meacham, Newsweek 10 November 2008 Jackson was denounced as a tyrant by opponents Jacksonian Era, 1824-1840 on both ends of the political spectrum, such as by Andrew Jackson sought to expand democratic Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun opportunity to some while be defended Election by the "Common Man" slavery and masterminded the removal of John Quincy Adams was the first president Jacksonian democracy had a lasting impact on Native Americans from their native lands. ever to be voted for by the common citizenry, allowing for more political participation from the as the 1824 United States Presidential election average citizen Foundation belief of Jackson’s governance: was the first in which all free white male Although Jacksonian democracy itself largely “The majority is to govern” citizens without property could vote (with the died off with the election of Abraham Lincoln exception of in 6 states). and the rise of the Republican party. Nullification Crisis of 1832 The Anti-Masonic Party, an opponent of South Carolina passes the Ordinance of Jackson, introduced the national nominating Jackson created a system to clear out elected Nullification, which declared the Tariff of conventions to select a party's presidential and officials in government of an opposing party and 1828 (“Tariff of Abominations”) and 1832 vice presidential candidates, allowing more replace them with his supporters as a reward for null and void within the borders of the voter input. their electioneering. state. Radicals in Charleston were raising an The period 1824–1832 was politically chaotic. With Congress controlled by his enemies, army to defend South Carolina’s right to The Federalist Party was dead, and with no Jackson relied heavily on the power of the veto to nullify (declare invalid) any federal laws it effective opposition, the old Democratic- block their moves. chose not to accept. Jackson believed this Republican Party withered away. One of the most important of these was the was the first step toward succession and Every state had numerous political factions, Maysville Road veto in 1830. war. Jackson considered arresting and but they did not cross state lines. Political A part of Clay's American System, the bill hanging the leaders. coalitions formed and dissolved frequently, would have allowed for federal funding of a He wrote the ‘Proclamation to the People and politicians moved in and out of alliances. project to construct a road linking Lexington of South Carolina’, a message which Many former Democratic-Republicans and the Ohio River, the entirety of which conveyed to would-be radicals that supported Jackson; others, such as Henry would be in the state of Kentucky. Jackson’s succession by force is akin to treason and Clay, opposed him. primary objection was based on the local suggests anyone in support of such actions Most former Federalists, such as Daniel nature of the project. It was not the Federal would have the many lives inevitably lost Webster, opposed Jackson, although some like government's job to fund projects of such a on their conscience. James Buchanan supported him. local nature, and or those lacking a connection In response to the dwindling public In 1828, John Quincy Adams pulled together a to the nation as a whole. support, the radicals stood down. network of factions called the National Jackson rescued the Union from a Republicans, but he was defeated by Jackson. Jackson as soldier: He won glorious battles and confrontation with the South! By the late 1830s, the Jacksonian Democrats popular songs ere written about him; but there and the Whigs politically battled it out were darker moments too. Regarding the possibility of a civil war, nationally and in every state. He massacred Indians in combat Jackson wrote “Dis-union by armed force is He executed military deserters and British treason” (he underlined the word treason) Election of 1824 subjects after he preemptively invaded Florida “Corrupt bargain” widened the view of corruption in 1818 Jackson reinvented how politics is done. No candidate initially secured enough required He married the love-of-his-life Rachel He viewed the president as the head of the by the Electoral College, thereby putting the Donelson Robards before she was divorced national party; fighting for a mandate from outcome in the House of Representatives. from her husband (he believed the stress of the the people to govern in particular ways on To the surprise of many, John Quincy Adams scandal killed Robards prematurely) particular issues; depending upon a circle won over rival Andrew Jackson. of advisors to help guide the affairs of the It was widely believed that Henry Clay Jackson believed the financial sector of the country; mastering popular media of the convinced Congress to elect Adams, who then American economy was spoiled, corrupt and bad age in order to transmit a consistent made Clay his Secretary of State as a favor for the overall health of the nation, so he message at a consistent pace; using the (Some historians support this today, but a new destroyed (at great length, drama and cost) the veto as a political, not just constitutional, line of thought asserts it was a sincere vote) Bank of the United States. weapon; facing difficult confirmation The country descended into financial panic battles in a Washington that is at once Indian Removal Act of 1830 shortly after he left office politically and personally charged. Forced removal of Indians from their native All these are departures from how the lands and resettlement elsewhere. He was convinced that church and state should presidency and government were seen by While the guise was that they voluntary left, remain separate, and so he resisted calls for the previous presidents. Before Jackson it was the reality was they signed treaties under formation of a Christian party in politics. He was possible to think of America without duress. troubled by ministers who involved themselves in putting the people at the center of politics; States were eager to gin access to lands the political arena. after him, such a thing was inconceivable. inhabited by Indians, especially Georgia Opposition by Christian missionaries and Petticoat Affair of 1830-1831 His legacy is mixed, viewed as a protector of Congressman David Crockett of Tennessee. Scandal involving members of Jackson’s cabinet popular democracy and individual liberty for Trail of Tears and their wives. What started out as private American citizens, checkered by his support matters affected the political careers of several for slavery and Indian removals Economic depression, 1837-1844 men. Name: _________________________ Period: ____ Date: ______________ Jon Meachan wrote: “The America of Andrew Jackson professed a love of democracy but was willing to live with inequity; aimed for social justice but was prone to racism and intolerance; believed itself one nation but was narrowly divided and fought close elections, and; occasionally acted arrogantly toward other countries while craving respect from them at the same time.” Write a response which addresses this statement, offering at least two pieces of evidence in support of each of Mr.Meachan’s assertions (which are underlined) where possible. .