Age of Jackson Day 1 Jackson the Man American History I SRMHS Mr. Hensley
Election of 1828 Rematch of 1824: Adams vs. Jackson Beginning of modern campaigning (shaking hands, kissing babies) Jackson accused of being married to an adulteress Adams accused of pimping for the Czar Jackson wins (56%) with Calhoun as VP
Jackson as a Young Man Scots-Irish: born in 1767 same year his father dies Family dies during RevoluVonary War Jackson is completely self-taught (autodidact) Passes bar, moves to Tennessee (Nashville) Becomes involved in poli<cs and local mili<a
Jackson in Tennessee Jackson builds a plantavon the Hermitage to grow coyon Hermitage has hundreds of slaves Also involved in land specula<on (Memphis) Elected to Congress mulvple Vmes
Rachel Jackson Her first marriage ended in 1790 she thought she had a legal divorce (she did not) Married Andrew twice once while svll married then a second Vme a`er divorce was finalized (1794) Most of Jackson s duels were fought to protect her Died in Dec. of 1828, a`er elecvon, as Jackson was preparing to leave for DC
Jackson s Military Record 1814: BaYle of New Orleans our only major victory against the BriVsh Also in 1814, major defeat of the Creek 1817: Jackson takes Florida from the Spanish and defeats the Seminoles (Florida becomes part of U.S.) Old Hickory
Jackson s InauguraVon Jackson is the People s President crowds turn out to greet him along route March 1829: thousands gather in DC to cheer him Crowd gets unruly (alcohol) and damage White House Sets tone for his term
Spoils System ExecuVve branch has many employees President appoints them Jackson used this power to reward friends and punish enemies Dismissed over 10% of all government employees a`er he took office in 1828 replaced them with his supporters
The Eaton Affair Senator John Eaton is a close Jackson friend and his Secretary of War He is suspected of having an affair with Peggy Her husband dies, she marries Eaton She is snubbed by all the other Cabinet wives (esp. Mrs. Calhoun) but befriended by Jackson
The Kitchen Cabinet? A`er Eaton Affair, Jackson replaces official Cabinet meevngs with Kitchen Cabinet He uses veto power to punish enemies (Clay) Strongly opposes navonal bank and paper currency Strongly supports westward expansion
Rebranding the Democrats New DemocraVc Party is a coalivon of local federal appointees (spoils); key newspaper editors and working men ( farmers) Views the wealthy as corrupt and too powerful Thus, Democrats are against the navonal bank Government as nega%ve
Anyone But Jackson! In the North, the wealthy and the former Federalists oppose Jackson In the South, the wealthy planta<on owners and state s rights advocates oppose Jackson New polivcal party the Whigs begins to form (Tories vs. Whigs in GB)
Tariff of AbominaVons In 1828, Congress passed a protec<ve tariff designed to help Northern industry It almost doubled the prices of BriVsh goods Reduced BriVsh demand for Southern coyon RiP between Calhoun and Jackson Calhoun resigns in 1832
ElecVon of 1832 Jackson versus Clay Legisla<ve branch power or execu<ve branch power? Government to protect the common man or government to help the wealthy elites? Jackson wins easily Van Buren becomes his new Vice President
Review: Jackson s First Term BIG QUESTION: What changed in American politics because of Andrew Jackson? Jacksonian Democracy and the spoils system rebranded the Democrats as the party of the common man. Politics became less intellectual and more emotional as a result. The removal of property restrictions on voting gave poor white men in America a voice and influence they had never had before. As President, Jackson strengthened the power of the Executive at the expense of the states..