Background
Although this time period is called the “Age of [Jackson]”, Jackson is a sign of the changing times – not the [cause of the changes].
The three major changes of this time period are:
[Nationalism] – A sense of growing pride in our [nation].
[Sectionalism] – Increasing differences between the [Northern] and [Southern] parts of the U.S.
[Democratization] – The U.S. becoming more of a [democracy].
Nationalism
Many people during this time had a growing sense of pride in the U.S. – especially after the “victory” in the [War of 1812]. A young and energetic group of leaders known as [Warhawks] came into power at this time and strengthened this sense of nationalism. One of the most prominent Warhawk politicians was [Henry Clay] who came up with his [American System] to improve the U.S.
American System
1. [Protective Tariffs]
A [Protective Tariff] is a tax on [imported] goods in order to [protect U.S. companies against foreign competition].
Protective Tariffs ended up hurting the [South] because the [South] didn’t have [factories] so tariffs only raised [prices] for them. On the otherhand, Protective Tariffs helped the [North] because the North had [factories] which were being protected by the tariffs.
2. [Renew the National Bank]
The National Bank helps create one currency for the nation and provides [loans] to grow the economy.
3. [Internal Improvements]
By improving the United States’ [harbors, roads, and canals], the U.S. would be more connected and have a stronger economy.
Sectionalism
The U.S. was dividing between the [North] and [South] over two issues:
[Protective Tariffs]
[Slavery]
A depression hit the U.S. in 1819 and the [South] was hit hard because Great Britain was not buying their [cotton] and [protective tariffs] raised prices. These protective tariffs created a lot of tension between the North and South.
By this time the [North] eliminated slavery and the [South] depended upon slavery. This difference over slavery divided the North and the South.
Democratization
Democratization is the process of the U.S. becoming more [democratic], which means that the [people] have a greater say in the [government]. Three things happened which increased the people’s voice in the government:
All adult [white males] can vote – you don’t need to own [land]
People choose the [electoral college], which is the group that votes for the President.
Once again there is a strong two [party] political system.
Election of 1824
In the Election of 1824, [four] major candidates run for president. No one wins a majority of the vote so the Presidential election goes to the [House of Representatives]. [Henry Clay], the [Speaker] of the House, convinces members of the House to vote for John Quincy [Adams] instead of Andrew [Jackson], whom Henry Clay dislikes. John Quincy [Adams] wins the election and names Henry [Clay] his Secretary of [State]. This “deal” becomes known as the “Corrupt Bargain”.
People were really mad about the “deal” between [Clay] and [Adams] because the Secretary of [State] historically became the next [President].
Missouri Compromise (1820)
Missouri wanted to enter the U.S. as a [slave] state. The [North] opposed this because the North and South had equal power in the Senate. Eventually a compromise was made with 3 main parts:
[Missouri] would become a slave state.
[Maine] would become a free state (this keeps the balance in the Senate).
The Southern border of [Missouri] would become the [boundary line] between slave and free land.