Lecture on Andrew Jackson

Introduction

• Mid-semester reminder: Topics on Andrew Jackson prior to midterm will be included on the final exam.
• Lecture starts with slide one.

Election of 1824

• Andrew Jackson vs. John Quincy Adams on the Democratic-Republican ticket.
• Jackson known for his fame as the hero of New Orleans.
• Jackson won the popular vote, but electoral college count was too close.
• Election decided by the House of Representatives (similar to 1800), influenced by Speaker Henry Clay.
• Clay's influence led to Adams' presidency, perceived as corrupt by the public.

Context:

• America is a republic (not a democracy), with electoral college system.
• Corruption claims were new in 1824; founders were previously considered incorruptible.
• Four candidates in 1824: Jackson, Adams, Henry Crawford, Henry Clay.
• Clay was a problematic politician, known for his contradictory stances.

Campaign and Presidency of 1828

• Election campaign for Jackson started in 1824.
• Adams' campaign criticized Jackson's temperament and literacy.
• Jackson's violent reputation discussed, including dueling history.
• Jackson's relationship with his wife, Rachel, was scrutinized.
• Adams accused of elitism, foreign corruption, and hypocrisy.
• Jackson's victory in 1828 seen as a triumph for "common man."
• Rachel Jackson died before Jackson took office, leading to his depression and anger.

Jackson's Impact on Presidential Campaigns

• Shift in political campaigns post-Jackson to avoid elite perceptions.
• Politicians often present as self-made, common men.

Jackson's Policies and Controversies

Treatment of People of Color

• Jackson was pro-slavery and saw Native Americans as impediments.
• The Indian Removal Act of 1830 aimed to relocate Native Americans.
  • Law passed by Congress, not unilaterally by Jackson.
  • Supported by the nation, revealing broader societal issues.

The Trail of Tears

• Gold discovery in Georgia led to Cherokee removal.
• Legal battle: Cherokee Nation v. Georgia, Supreme Court decision.
• Jackson ignored Supreme Court's decision, leading to the Trail of Tears.
• Journey marked by extreme cruelty; 17,000 Cherokees departed, only 8,000 survived.

Conclusion

• Next lecture will focus on national shifts in economy, art, and political activism during the Jacksonian era.