Jacksonian Democracy Flashcards
Sectionalism
Sectionalism is when you have pride in your state or region…rather than the nation. Sectionalism was strongest in the South and the West.
Western Migration
Beginning in the 19th Century, we see a rise of western migration. White settlers continued to move West in search of cheap land. This began a trend that would continue throughout the 19th Century. These settlers/farmers supported a new way of thinking…supported by a movement called Jacksonian Democracy.
Jacksonian Democracy
A belief that your status in society did not matter…so long as you were White, Male, Christian. (Universal male suffrage) A man’s right to vote no longer depended on property/social status, any white, christian man could vote. This increases the size of the electorate {voters}——It increased the number of voters 3 times. It increased democracy, although it still wasn’t very democratic because there were other people that were not represented.
-This Democracy also connected with Common Man Theory.- The idea that “regular” citizens are important and deserve rights…no matter your wealth, education, background, etc. (Again, excluding people of color and women)
-It also connected with “Rugged Individualism”. This was a “tough guy” mentality that supported the individual and his family’s rights…above all else. Did not like community/nationalism/national gov’t.
These ideas became embodied by Andrew Jackson. Jackson was the “common man’s” hero. Westerners idolized him. While Jackson got most of his support from the South and the West, he also got support from Northern (factory) workers…again the “common man.” Jackson was idolized by the common man…and was a big supporter of rugged individualism…”tough guy” farmers.
Jackson’s Spoils System
Gave jobs and positions of authority to friends and supporters. Jackson picked people who were loyal to him (he didn’t care if they were qualified or not——-he picked sycophants) A meritocracy is rule based on your merit/worth/qualifications (the opposite of what Jackson did)
Jackson political affiliation
(Dem-Rep) Jackson was a big supporter of federalism…states’ rights. He thinks that state govt’s should have more power than the national (federal) gov’t.
Indian Removal Act
Jackson only supported increasing democracy and voting rights for white men…he was opposed to women’s rights, he supported slavery, and he supported forcible removal of Indians to reservations. He gets a boost from Congress in 1830 with the passage of the Indian Removal Act. This law made Indian removal official U.S. policy. The most notorious example of Indian Removal is known as the Trail of Tears. The Cherokee Indian Nation was forced to move off of their ancestral lands in Georgia, to reservations in modern day Arkansas and Oklahoma. In the process, approx 5000 Indians were killed.
National Bank under Jackson
Jackson is also known for vetoing the re-chartering of the National Bank. So under Pres. Jackson, there is no National Bank. We go through economic recession as a result.
King Veto
Jackson used the veto power more than the 6 presidents before him combined. It was “his way or the highway.” Jackson was frequently depicted by critics in political cartoons as a king. He was nicknamed “King Andrew,” or “King Veto.”(If you consistently veto, you are thwarting the will of the people…The houses of congress were voted by the people…If the president goes against congress, it goes against the people—-He surrounded himself with sycophants/kiss-assses, he never allowed people to question what he did, he went against his advisors)
