chapter 9 Flashcards
expanding democracy
-More “white men” took place in the process but no others saw new voting rights
-Rhode Island’s Dorr Rebellion demonstrated change fueled controversy
Even though “the old guard” prevailed, change was inevitable
-Presidential voting rates increased greatly as more inclusive rules were adopted
27% in 1824, 58% in 1828, 80% in 1840 (remember…white men only)
party politics
-Institutionalized party politics were the norm by the 1820s & 1830s
-By the 1830s and two-party system had fully formed
-Party politics first developed at the state level (ex. The Bucktails in NY)
president of the common people
-Jackson believed government should offer “equal protection and equal benefits”
His beliefs only extended to white males
-Jackson believed government jobs belonged to the people
He favored patronage (the spoils system) over entrenched leaders
-Jackson favored large nominating conventions over congressional caucuses
He believed this would give more power to the people
-Jackson was committed to the preservation of the Union
-Jackson believed most economic policies should be made the state level
Nicknamed King Andrew the Ist
Calhoun and nullification
-Calhoun, although a protectionist, developed the theory of nullification
Nullification = A state’s ability to cancel a federal law within its borders
-VP Calhoun opposed the 1828 Tariff (going against Jackson)
-Jackson “embarrassed” Calhoun leading to Calhoun’s resignation as VP
-Van Buren became Jackson’s heir apparent for the White House as a result
Van Buren became Secretary of State in 1829
Van Buren was both a cabinet member and a “Kitchen Cabinet” member
the Webster-Hayne debate
-Webster challenged Hayne to a debate over national supremacy
-Hayne spoke in favor of nullification
-Webster (and Jackson) spoke in favor of preserving the integrity of the Union
the Nullification crisis
-Jackson considered nullification treason
-South Carolina advocated nullification and even threatened secession
-Congress passed the Force Bill to stand up to the idea of nullification
Force Bill = National government could enforce laws within each state
-Congress also passed a Compromise Bill to gradually lower the tariff
-South Carolina’s secession threats were withdrawn for the time being
Removal of the Indians
-Jefferson had seen natives as noble savages
-Jackson simply saw natives as savages
-Whites felt they had a right to displace natives
-Jackson and congress passed the Indian Removal Act
(The act allowed removal of natives to the west of the Mississippi)
-Native resistance ultimately proved fruitless
The Black Hawk War
The Seminole Wars
-The Trail of Tears highlighted the plight of the natives
Jackson and The Bank War
-Jackson opposed the National Bank
-Nicholas Biddle was head of the National Bank since 1823
-Clay and Webster tried to make the bank an election issue in 1832
-Jackson won reelection despite his veto of the bank renewal bill
-Jackson proceeded to place federal $ into state banks (Pet Panks)
-Jackson bragged about destroying the “monster”
-The nation fell into economic chaos
The Taney Court
-When John Marshall died, in 1835, Roger Taney became the new Chief Justice
-Taney’s first decision was Charles River Bridge v Warren Bridge
-Charles River Bridge v Warren Bridge (1837)
A state could amend/repeal an existing contract if it’s in the public interest
Whigs and Democarts
-The Whigs & Democrats emerged as the two main parties in the 1830s
-Democrats were the party favored by the farmers and the working class
-Whigs were favored by the wealthy planters, merchants, and owners
-Party loyal shifted over the next few decades as sectionalism grew
Van Buren and the Panick of 1837
-Martin Van Buren was elected President in 1836
-Financial problems from the Jackson years led to the Panic of 1837
-Van Buren’s failure to handle the crisis led to his political downfall
The Log Cabin Campain
-The Whigs convinced the public they had the candidate of the people in 1840
-William Henry Harrison was elected President over Van Buren
-The “penny press’ allowed for more widespread campaigning in 1840
-John Tyler became the first VP to succeed a President who died in office
-Tyler later re-joined the Democratic Party
(The Whigs were suffering an identity crisis)
Whig Dimplomacy
-While in power, the Whigs navigated relations with Canada & Britain and China
The Caroline Affair
American ship seized and burned by Canada (1 american killed)
Increased tensions between the U.S. & Britain
The Aroostook War
Fighting resulting from a border dispute between Maine & Canada
Tensions between U.S. and Britain escalate even more
The Creole Affair
100 american slaves revolt, sail to the Bahamas, given freedom
Britain refused to intervene
Tensions continue to escalate
The Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842
Resolved border dispute with Canada (Maine to the Rockies)
Helped alleviate tensions
The Treaty of Wang Hya
U.S. secures trading privileges in China
