47 Jacksonian Democracy Presentation Notes notebook. January 05, 2017

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2 Aim # 26B: To what extent were Jackson and Van Buren successful in maintaining the coalition between the Democrats and poor whites? "Van Ruin" 2

3 Election of 1832: Chief issue was Jackson "war" on US Bank. Jackson vetos rechartering of Bank challenges Supreme Court Decision (McC v. Md.) Congress fails to override the veto Jackson orders federal funds deposited in state banks local banks print inflationary paper currency state debt rises, Western land speculation Specie Circular (1836) 1836 Election Martin Van Buren (Jackson's choice) PANIC OF

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5 Group Task Read Howard Zinn's analysis on whether the "coalition between Democrats and poor whites" was effectively maintained during the Jackson and Van Buren's presidencies. 5

6 Robert Rantoul win the masses by: "...prudent, judicious, well considered reform." George Henry Evans ("Workingman's Advocate") "all on arriving at adult age are entitled to equal property" 6

7 Sectional differences increased I. Problems besetting the nation ( ) Inflationary pressures after 1834 which were primarily caused by land speculation Continuing battles between Jackson and the National Bank (Nicholas Biddle) Specie Circular (1836): Jackson ordered that all government land must be bought with hard currency Sharp contraction of credit caused by a world recession and over productionled to the Panic of 1837, followed by a 6 year depression. THIS LED TO: 1. Bank failures 2. increased unemployment and poverty 3. riots, protests and general unrest from the working class 7

8 The Second American Political Party System Whigs vs. Democrats Differences were not necessarily sectional, but cultural, class differences. Democrats held Jeffersonian beliefs that democratic rights belonged to the small, indep. yeoman farmer Popular in rural areas South and West Supported Jacksonian democracy: Opposed interference from either gov't and/or eco. institutions (Bank of the US) Favored expansion, Indian removal and a free frontier life Socially conservative Opposed rapid technological (trasportation revolution), social and economic changes Whigs Supported and initiated economic changes Supported a strong federal government (heirs to Federalists) Advocated for an active government role in the economy Supported Clay's American System: Strong central gov't, Bank of US, protective tariff, internal improvements Social and religious reform: Government should advocate for education and reform 8

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10 "Jacksonian Democracy" had tried to create a consensus of support for the system to make it secure. Blacks, Indians, women and foreigners were clearly outside the consensus. But also, white working people, in large numbers, declared themselves outside. Howard Zinn 10

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13 II. Election of 1840 The Whigs lost the election of 1836 to Van Buren as sectional politics created 4 candidates but Van Buren captured the electoral votes and won However the Whigs were successful in the election of 1840 as Harrison runs as president with Tyler (a Democrat) as vice president, to capture the South and give the Whigs wider appeal, even though he was anti Whig Harrison dies in office after one month as chief executive Tyler takes his place but there is a stalemate between Tyler and the Whigs in Congress The Whigs basically represented North and Northwest commercial interests, and even though they did win an election in 1848, were unable to bridge the gap between sectional differences and couldn t hold themselves together. 13

14 Attachments aim 26 notes.docx