Transcript The Rise of a New Nation - fchs

The Rise of a New Nation,
1815 - 1837
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Regional Changes in the Era of Good Feelings and the Age of
Jackson, 1815 - 1836
“The Era of Good Feelings”
Leaving at the height of his popularity – with Americans still
giddy over their surprising ability to acquit themselves of the
British during the War of 1812, Madison was able to tap his own
successor, fellow Virginian James Monroe. The Federalist Party
was in its death throes after the boorish behavior of the Essex
Junto at the Hartford Convention. All appeared to be well.
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Internal Improvements – a
series of nation building
projects which were
expected to create economic
interdependence in
America, binding the nation
together where regional
differences had emerged. In
order to carry out these
initiatives, tax dollars would
be put to work. Projects like
the Cumberland Road
would be extended over the
years to unify the nation.
Monroe Endorses Internal
Improvements in America
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While divisions were emerging during this period of US History, a general sense of
deference to the Congressional leadership to solve major problems was evident
throughout the period. The “Great Triumvirate” of Clay, Calhoun, and Webster
would drive the Senate through the 1850s.
The Era of Good Feelings
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Clay sought an
interdependent, free market
economy to unify the
regions.
If the West produced food,
the South produced Cotton,
and the New England states
operated the factories and
shipping, the nation would
be less dependent upon
Europe.
Internal Improvements were
needed to facilitate trade.
Power should be in the
hands of the Congress, not
the Presidency.
Henry Clay’s “American
System” for Unified Growth
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The 2nd National Bank was
chartered under Monroe,
with Congress providing
20% of the start-up capital $7 Million – and appoint
one-third of the Bank’s
directors. While many
Republicans endorsed the
ideas of measured growth
which the National Bank
encouraged, others viewed
it as a hindrance to
economic opportunities.
Westerners in particular
thought that the bank had
too much power over the
governments’ finances.
The American System
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The construction of roads
and transportations
systems were central to
the American System –
allowing for economic and
social unity between
regions. The primary
emphasis was placed on
roads, canal systems, and
the improvement of ports
and harbors to facilitate
trade. The extension of
the national road was key
to the settlement of the
“Old Northwest” – what
we would call the Great
Lakes region and the
Heartland today.
The American System
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The Telegraph was the
first major leap in
technology which
impacted the
communication industry –
but it would not become
practical until the 1840s,
when Samuel F.B. Morse
brought the invention
back with him from Paris.
Until then, the
construction of roads –
which facilitated the
delivery of mail – was the
improvement of
communication!
Communication Systems
The Protective Tariff
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Debate over the relative value of Tariffs would
continue throughout the antebellum period –
and the tax on imported goods was usually
controversial. While northern businessmen
and manufacturers enjoyed the protective tariff
– because it drove up the price of foreign goods
– farmers in the South and West were opposed
to the increase in prices. Southern plantation
owners – exporters of cotton – feared that a
trade war might ensue with England, as well,
which was seeking cotton from other sources.
The Protective Tariff
The Cumberland Road – Virginia to Maryland
Monroe’s Accomplishments
The Erie Canal
Monroe assuredly
realized the potential
of the Erie Canal,
which would link
New York City with
all of the port cities
of the Middle West
by way of the
Hudson River.
However, smart
planning by Dewitt
Clinton and the state
of New York got the
project accomplished
without any federal
funding, thus,
allowing the state to
reap all of the
benefits of the trade
along the canal from
Albany to Buffalo.
The Invention of the
Steamboat – Robert Fulton
At least one major Supreme Court case involved interstate
trade and the steamboat; during this period the Supreme
Court clearly established the supremacy of federal law over
the states:
 McCullough V. Maryland: The Supreme Court ruled that
the states could not impose taxes on federal institutions.
Marshall confirmed that the Constitution is the supreme
law of the land.
 Gibbons V. Ogden: The Supreme Court rules that states
have no right to grand licenses in competition with the
federal government. (State vs. federal licenses to a
steamboat ferry..)
Federal Supremacy
Monroe’s Foreign Policy
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Rush-Bagot Treaty, 1817
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The Rush-Bagot Treaty
essentially demilitarized
the Great Lakes region,
lessening concerns over
the outbreak of
hostilities.
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Convention of 1818
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Fishing rights were
affirmed for both
nations.
The 49th Parallel was
established as a border
between the nations.
Joint occupation of the
Oregon Territory would
continue.
Resolving Disputes with
England
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During the First Seminole
War of 1819, Andrew Jackson
had violated the territorial
integrity of Spanish Florida
repeatedly. While pursuing
runaway slaves and Seminole
tribe members, Jackson had
taken over several Spanish
forts he had deemed hostile.
The Adam-Onis Treaty of
1819 simply affirmed the
practical reality – Spain was
an American Empire in
decline.
The Acquisition of Florida
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The issuance of the
Monroe Doctrine in 1823
was posturing in grand
form. The United States,
militarily, had little
expectation that we might
uphold the policy
forbidding the
colonization of subjects in
the Western Hemisphere.
But, as it happened, few
European nations
attempted to intervene.
The Monroe Doctrine, 1823
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Economic recessions
almost always exacerbate
differences, and the
growing sectional
interests in America were
amplified by economic
recession. The entry of
Missouri into the Union in
1820 caused a political
crisis, as the future of
slavery in the West was
wrestled with
intellectually for the first
time.
The Missouri Compromise
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Maine entered the Union as a free state in 1820.
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Missouri entered the Union as a slave state in
1821.
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A line at 36° 30’ would determine the future of
slavery in the West. To the South of the line,
slavery would be allowed. To the North of the
Line, slavery would be banned.
The Missouri Compromise
The Missouri Compromise
New Politics –
and the End of
The Era of
Good Feelings
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An Age of Democratization and
Andrew Jackson’s Ascension
In 1824, Andrew Jackson won
the popular vote in a disputed
election. The Republican
Party was hopelessly divided
and four regional candidates
emerged: William Crawford,
John Quincy Adams, Henry
Clay, and Andrew Jackson.
Surprisingly, Jackson won the
popular vote. But since the
Electoral College was not
resolved, Congress settled the
election in John Quincy
Adams favor.
The Corrupt Bargain, 1824
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Increase tariffs to protect industry and
pay for national projects.
Promotion of internal improvements in
agriculture, commerce, and
manufacturing.
The support of the 2nd National Bank.
Federal monies to support the promotion
of “the elegant arts” such as literature
and science.
He is despised by the South for all of the
above positions – and for being fervently
anti-slavery.
John Quincy Adams
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During Adams time in office, dramatic changes take
place in the nature of democratic participation.
Land requirements for voters virtually disappear.
Only five of the 24 states in the Union had property
requirements for voting in 1828.
Several Western States were admitted to the Union
from the “Old Northwest.”
The number of voters participating in elections
triples between 1824 and 1828 – from just over
350,000 eligible voters in 1824 to well over one
million in 1828.
Universal White Man’s
Suffrage?
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All states continued to ban women from
participating in elections. Some states, due to
semantics, had allowed women to cast ballots if
they controlled property at the start of the
century, but the practice was soon
discontinued.
Almost all African-Americans were banned
from voting – including free blacks.
Voter Restrictions, 1820s
The Growth of Faction and the Evolution of Modern Politics:
Andrew Jackson considered himself the direct representative of
the people, and railed against the tools of aristocracy: for
example, the National Bank. Although it would take him some
time to ascend to the Presidency, his time in office marked an
important change in the way Americans viewed the nature of our
democracy. The new voters in American supported Jackson!
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John Quincy Adams
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Cold, Aristocratic.
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Andrew Jackson
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Militant, uncouth.
Corrupt?
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Honest, integrity.
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Anti-Slavery
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States Rights
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New England Partisan
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A Man for All Regions
The Election of 1928
Andrew Jackson Landslide
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Jackson rewarded political loyalty via patronage –
“The Spoils System.”
Jackson sought to reform – indeed renounce – the
financial systems of the federal government,
including the 2nd National Bank.
Jackson sought to manage Indian affairs actively.
He sought to reform internal improvements and
public land policy.
He believed, ultimately, in the supremacy of the
Federal Government over the states and the right of
taxation.
Jacksonian Democracy:
Characteristic of his Presidency
“The Spoils System”
‘To the victors go the spoils.’
Jackson was shameless in
appointing political
supporters, friends, and
admirers to civil service jobs.
He believed that most men
were capable of performing
the duties of government
positions, and that there
would be little or decrease in
the quality of the work. He
fired John Quincy Adams
men without remorse – and
for no particular reason.
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Jackson views the bank as an alliance between
government and aristocratic interests that favor
the wealthy.
He refused to re-charter the bank when Whigs
in Congress attempt to extend it’s influence.
Then, to end the influence of the bank, he
begins withdrawing funds and depositing
them in favored “pet banks.”
Andrew Jackson and the
2nd National Bank
The 2nd National Bank Destroyed
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The so-called “Tariff of
Abominations” – which
placed a high tax on
imported goods and hurt
Southern and Western
consumers particularly
hard – was a point of
much contention. John C.
Calhoun – who actually
sponsored the bill when
he was as Senator – was
it’s greatest enemy during
Jackson’s term.
The Nullification Crisis
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After considerable debate, the Tariff of Abominations
eventually produced a major crisis in America.
Robert Hayne of South Carolina and Daniel Webster of
Massachusetts argued over the tariff in one of the great
debates of the century.
John C. Calhoun publically denounced the President’s
support of the Tariff. At a state dinner, he toasted, “The
Union – next to our liberty most dear.”
Andrew Jackson’s rejoinder, “Our Federal Union – it
must be preserved!” was a preview of the coming
conflict.
In 1832, John C. Calhoun resigned the Vice Presidency
and vowed to support the notion of nullification in SC.
Jackson and Calhoun
South Carolina’s
Nullification Act - 1832
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Jackson, after threatening to
hang John C. Calhoun from a
sour apple tree, responded
forcefully.
He reinforced all of the federal
positions along the coast of
South Carolina.
Congress passed the Force Act
in order to compel South
Carolina to abide by federal
law.
Eventually, the tariff was
reduced and South Carolina
withdrew its nullification of the
Tariff of Abominations.
However, the state legislature
immediately nullified the Force
Act – which Jackson ignored.
The larger issue, then, remained
unresolved.
Jackson’s Response
Cherokee
Choctaws
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Seminoles
Creeks
Chickasaw
The Five Civilized Tribes
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As Southern planters
moved further and further
west, encroachments upon
the territories of the five
civilized tribes were
inevitable. Most of the
tribes, though, had
devoted themselves to the
assimilation process.
Some had adopted
plantation agriculture,
and even owned slaves.
But the assimilation – and
particularly the economic
success enjoyed by some
tribes, provoke more
hostility.
Cotton Plantations
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The Cherokee had
perhaps done more to
assimilate into American
society than any other
tribe. They had a
bicameral legislature, a
court system, well-trained
lawyers that participate in
the American legal
system, a written
language – created by
George Guess (Sequoyah)
– and even two
newspapers.
The Case of the Cherokee
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Jackson – who had shown
his Indian-hating side at the
Battle of Horseshoe bend
and during the Seminole
Wars – encouraged the
removal of all Indian tribes
to points west of the
Mississippi River. The
Indian Removal Act
authorized the purchase of
all Native American
Territory and their
relocation to the West.
The Indian Removal Act of 1830
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When the Cherokee
constitution was nullified
by the state of Georgia
and the discovery of gold
on their land led to the
eviction of the Cherokee
from their territory, the
Supreme Court refused to
hear their case. Claiming
that the Cherokee were a
dependent nation without
the right to bring their
grievances to court,
Marshall threw out the
case.
Cherokee Nation V. Georgia
(1831)
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When a similar case is brought
forth by a group of missionaries
working on the Cherokee’s
reservations, the Supreme Court
reversed course. Now, they rule
that the Cherokee are a
sovereign nation, that Georgia
cannot compel the tribe to
relocate, and that the Cherokee
are entitled to their land.
Andrew Jackson is reported to
have responded, “Chief Justice
Marshall has made his decision.
Now, let him enforce it.”
Jackson refused to use the
federal power to protect the
Cherokee from the state of
Georgia’s encroachment.
Worcester V. Georgia, (1832)
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The Trail of Tears
The actual removal of the
Cherokee tribe took place in
1837, and it is known as the
Trail of Tears. Over a
quarter of the 20,000
members of the tribe would
die during the forced march
to the West. The only tribe
which remained
unconquered of the “Five
Civilized Tribes” was a
contingent of the Seminoles
– followers of Osceola –
who retreated to the
Everglades and fought a ten
year war to remain
autonomous and sovereign.