01:512:104 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Dorr Rebellion, Thomas Wilson Dorr, Congressional Caucus
13 May 2018
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Chapter 09 - Jacksonian America
1)The Rise of Mass Politics
a)The Expanding Electorate
i)No economic equality, but transformation of American politics to extend the
right to vote to new groups. Until 1820s most states limited franchise to white
landowners. Changes began in West w/ Constitutions guaranteeing right to
vote to all white males- E. states did likewise in order to stop exodus of ppl
ii)Change provoked resistance- MA conservatives wanted property
requirement, state eventually required voters to be taxpayers + Gov had to
own large lands
iii)State reforms generally peaceful but in RI instability when 1840 group led
by Thomas Dorr and the “People’s Party” submitted and won a new state
Const. by the ppl. 1842 2 simultaneous govts, Dorr rebellion quickly failed
iv)In S election laws favored planters and politicians from older counties,
limited influence of newly settled western areas
v)Everywhere women could not vote, no secret ballots—despite limitations
numbers of voters increased faster than population
vi)Originally electors chosen by legislature, by 1828 popularly elected except
SC
b)The Legitimization of Party
i)Higher levels of voter participation due to expanded electorate but also
strengthening of party organization and loyalty
ii)1820s/1830s saw permanent, institutionalized parties become desirable part
of political process. Began at state level in NY w/ Martin Van Buren’s factional
“Bucktails”. Party’s preservation thru favors, rewards, patronage leaders goals
iii)Parties would check/balance one other, politicians forced 2 rep. will of the
ppl
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iv)By late 1820s new idea of party spreading beyond NY, Jackson’s 1828
election seemed to legitimize new system. By 1830s national 2-party system:
anti-Jackson forces called Whigs, his followers called Democrats
c)“President of the Common Man”
i)Democratic party embraced no uniform ideological position, committed to
offer equal protection and benefits by assaulting eastern aristocracy to extend
opportunity to rising classes of the W + S, preserve white-male democracy
thru subjugation of African Americans and Indians
ii)Jackson’s first targets entrenched officeholders of fed govt, wanted to
simplify official duties to make office more accessible. Removed nearly 1/5 of
office-holders removed b/c misuse of govt funds or corruption
iii)Jackson’s supporters embraced “spoils system”, making right of elected
officials to appt followers to office established feature of American politics
iv)Supporters worked to transform presidential nomination system- 1832
national party convention held to replace congressional caucus, considered
democratic triumph b/c power from ppl and not aristocratic caucus
v)Spoils system and convention limited power of entrenched elites (permanent
officeholders, caucus elite), but neither really transferred true power to the ppl
2)“Our Federal Union”
a)Calhoun and Nullification
i)Late 1820s many in SC came to see “tariff of abominations” as responsible
for stagnation of state economy (really due to exhausted farmland unable to
compete with new western lands). Some considered remedy thru secession
ii)Vice President Calhoun offered alternative in theory of nullification- idea like
Madison and Jefferson’s KY + VA Resolutions of 1798-1799. Argued fed govt
created by states, therefore states final arbiter (not Congress or courts) of
constitutionality. Convention could be held to null and void law within state
b)The Rise of Van Buren
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i)Apptd Sec of State 1829 by Jackson, also member of president’s of unofficial
circle of allies in “Kitchen Cabinet”. After supporting Peggy Eaton in affair over
acceptance into cabinet wife social circle gained favor w/ President
ii)By 1831 Jackson had chosen Van Buren to succeed him in WH, Calhoun’s
presidential dream ended
c)The Webster-Hayne Debate
i)January 1830 proposal to temporarily stop western land sales led SC Sen.
Robert Hayne to claim slowing down W growth means for east to retain
political and economic power. Hinted at uniting S + W against “tyranny”
ii)Nationalist and Whig Sen. Daniel Webster attacked Hayne + Calhoun for
challenging integrity of the Union. Debate ensued over issue of states rights
vs national power
iii)Jackson announced at Democratic Party banquet “Our Federal Union-It
must be preserved”, lines drawn btwn Jackson and Calhoun
d)The Nullification Crisis
i)1832 tariff bill in Congress gave SC no relief from “tariff of abominations”,
state convention held- voted for nullification of tariffs of 1828 & 1832, duties
collection w/in state. Calhoun resigned VP became Sen., Hayne now Gov
ii)Jackson insisted nullification treason, strengthened federal forts in SC. 1833
Pres. proposed bill to authorize use of military to see acts of Congress obeyed
iii)No states supported SC, state itself divided. Sen Henry Clay offered
compromise that tariff would be gradually lowered so that by 1842 it would be
at same level as in 1816. Compromise + force bill passed March 1833
iv)SC state convention met and repealed its nullification of the tariffs, but also
nullified the force act (symbolic of null. legitimacy)
3)The Removal of the Indians
a)White Attitudes Toward the Tribes
i)In 18th century many whites considered Indians “noble savages” who had
inherent dignity, by 19th century more hostile attitude especially among whites
in W and territories, simply “savages”
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
1)the rise of mass politics a)the expanding electorate i)no economic equality, but transformation of american politics to extend the right to vote to new groups. Until 1820s most states limited franchise to white landowners. Sc b)the legitimization of party i)higher levels of voter participation due to expanded electorate but also strengthening of party organization and loyalty ii)1820s/1830s saw permanent, institutionalized parties become desirable part of political process. Began at state level in ny w/ martin van buren"s factional. Party"s preservation thru favors, rewards, patronage leaders goals iii)parties would check/balance one other, politicians forced 2 rep. will of the ppl iv)by late 1820s new idea of party spreading beyond ny, jackson"s 1828 election seemed to legitimize new system. 2) our federal union a)calhoun and nullification i)late 1820s many in sc came to see tariff of abominations as responsible for stagnation of state economy (really due to exhausted farmland unable to compete with new western lands).
