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Chapter 11 - Reform and Politics in the Age of Jackson, 1824-1845

I.    Introduction
The enormous transformation of the United States after the War of 1812 sparked a fervor for reform beginning in the 1830s.

II.    From Revival to Reform

A.    Second Great Awakening
Religion motivated much of the social reform. The Second Great Awakening offered salvation through personal conversion to all people, regardless of theology. Revivalists also preached the doctrine of perfectibility in human society, which gave birth to many of the reform movements of the age.
B.    Role of Women
Women proved to be the most ardent supporters of evangelism and reform.
C.    The Plight of Prostitutes
McDowall’s report on prostitution in New York City caused women to revive the fight against prostitution. Women soon transformed the emotionalism of revivals into an enthusiasm for moral reform by establishing organizations such as the Female Moral Reform Society.
D.    Temperance
One of the earliest and strongest concerns for reform resulted in a campaign against the use of alcohol.
E.    Temperance Societies
Public associations against drinking led to a sharp decline in the use of alcohol.
F.    Penitentiaries and Asylums
Asylums and penitentiaries also came under scrutiny as reformers worked to improve these institutions.
   
    III.    Antimasonry

A.    Morgan Affair
William Morgan, a disillusioned Mason, published a book in 1826 exposing Masonic practice. His subsequent murder started the Antimasonry movement.
B.    Convention System
As Antimasons gained wider support, they organized politically, introducing the nominating convention.

    IV.    Abolitionism and the Women’s Movement

A.    Black Abolitionists
African Americans organized at least 50 abolitionist societies in the United States.
B.    William Lloyd Garrison
William Lloyd Garrison became one of the first white abolitionists to demand immediate emancipation.
C.    Immediatists
A number of reformers agreed with Garrison, and in their zeal they founded the American Antislavery Society.
D.    Opposition to Abolitionists
Many Americans responded violently to abolitionism.
E.    Gag Rule
In an effort to avoid answering abolitionist petitions, Congress passed the “gag rule” which automatically tabled such petitions from 1836 to 1844.
F.    Women Abolitionists
Women found they could take a more prominent role in the immediatist movement than in any previous reform.
G.    Women’s Rights
Women such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott compared their position in society to that of slaves.

    V.    Jacksonianism and Party Politics

A.    End of the Caucus System
Popular participation in politics led to the demise of nominating the president by Congressional caucus.
B.    Election of 1824
A supposed “corrupt bargain” led to the election of John Quincy Adams.
C.    Election of 1828
The Democratic Party became the first well-organized national political party as a result of Jackson’s leadership in this election.
D.    Andrew Jackson
Jackson, the first president from the West, gained his popularity from a lifetime of bold achievements.
E.    Democrats
The Democrats enjoyed widespread support and fostered a Jeffersonian agrarian viewpoint.
F.    Jacksonians as Reformers
Jacksonians considered themselves reformers by limiting the influence of government.

    VI.    Federalism at Issue: The Nullification and Bank Controversies

A.    Tariff of Abominations
The South opposed the Tariff of 1828 and referred to it as the Tariff of Abominations. To defend their interests against the power of the federal government, South Carolina’s political leaders used the doctrine of nullification.
B.    Webster-Hayne Debate
Daniel Webster of New Hampshire debated Robert Y. Hayne of South Carolina in Congress on the issue of nullification in 1830.
C.    Nullification Crisis
When South Carolina nullified the Tariff of 1832, Jackson responded by issuing the Nullification Proclamation and by having Congress issue the Force Act. He also recommended tariff reduction, which temporarily ended the crisis.
D.    Second Bank of the United States
The rechartering of the Second Bank of the United States became the central issue in the 1832 election.
E.    Jackson’s Second Term
Jackson tried to ensure that the national bank would never be rechartered, and he deposited federal funds in “pet” state banks. Land speculation, however, soon threatened the economy.
F.    Specie Circular
Jackson’s “hard-money” policy that required payment in specie to buy federal lands failed to stop speculation.
G.    Use of the Veto
Jackson made the veto an effective tool for controlling Congress.

    VII.    The Whig Challenge and the Second Party System

A.    Whigs and Reformers
The Whig Party, which developed as an opposition party to President Jackson and the Democrats, sought to recharter the national bank, create an active federal government, and promote reform. Whig policies embodied the beliefs of many reformers.
B.    Election of 1836
In 1836 Democrat Martin Van Buren, enjoying broad-based support, won the presidency. Van Buren managed to head off the as-yet unorganized Whig opposition, but Congress had to decide the vice-presidential race.
C.    Van Buren and Hard Times
Just after the election of 1836, the American credit system collapsed. Van Buren’s hard money policies sent the economy spiraling downward.
D.    William Henry Harrison and the Election of 1840
The Whig William Henry Harrison emulated the methods of the Democrats to win the election of 1840. He died within a month of taking office, however, and John Tyler could not hold the support of Congressional Whigs.
E.    Anglo-American Tensions
The United States and Great Britain neared war over several issues in the late 1830s and early 1840s.

VIII.    Manifest Destiny and Expansionism

A.    Republic of Texas
When Texas won independence from Mexico in 1836, many people sought annexation to the United States. The volatile slavery issue, however, prevented this action.
B.    Oregon Fever
In the early 1840s, thousands of settlers traveled west on the Oregon Trail.
C.    James K. Polk and the Election of 1844
Democrat James K. Polk won election over Henry Clay on a platform of the occupation of the entire Oregon territory and the annexation of Texas.

 

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