Chapter #13: The Rise of a Mass Democracy – Big Picture Themes
1. Andrew Jackson felt he’d been robbed the presidency in 1824. This motivated the regular folks to political action. He vowed to win for the people’s sake, and did so.
2. A conflict started to brew between the north and the south. The issue was the tariff (import tax) and whether the south had the right to “nullify” or wipe it out. The trouble was worked out, but it foreshadowed bigger trouble to come, over slavery.
3. Jackson distrusted banks—he thought they were tools for the rich to milk money off the poor. He killed the National Bank and threw the whole banking system into chaos.
4. By the time William Henry Harrison ran for president in 1840, popular, mass politics had grown into the circus-like monster that it’s known as today.
IDENTIFICATIONS:
American System
Henry Clays proposed this system, it was a 3 pronged attack, in a way, to promote industry. His 3 parts were strong banking systems, and a protective tariff, and a federally funded transportation system.
Corrupt Bargain
It was a political scandal. It stated that Clay supposedly met with John Quincy Adams before the House election to break the deadlock between Adams and Jackson. Clay didn't like Jackson and since he had the power to sway the votes, Adams was elected president against the popular vote and Clay was named Secretary of State (a very good position with a good chance of becoming president).
Tariff of Abominations
It was a bill that favored western agricultural interests by raising tariff/import taxes on imported goods which favored Northern manufacturers. In the South, these tariffs raised the cost of manufactured goods, which enraged them and caused more sectionalist feelings.
Nullification
Thought that stated that states have the right to nullify/disregard a federal law if they feel it's unconstitutional.
Force Bill
It let President Jackson use military force to collect the money from Tariffs of 1828 and 1832.
Five Civilized Tribes
They were made up of the Cherokee, Creeks, Choctaws, Chickasaws, and Seminoles.
Trail of Tears
The Cherokee Indians were forced to leave their lands and homes to travel from North Carolin/Georgia through Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas to the Indian Territory. It was more than 800 miles. A lot of Cherokees died of the cold, diseases, and the shortage of food on the 116 day journey.
Nicholas Biddle
He was the president of the Second BUS and he tried and struggled to keep the bank open when President Jackson tried to destroy it.
Democrats vs. Whigs
They both originated from the democratic-republican party and the 2 party system was formed. Jackson led the Democrats and they were for strong state rights and against protective tariffs and national banks and they were for the common people. The Whigs had Webster, Clay, William Henry Harrison in it; they wanted strong federal gov and were for everything the Democrats(Jackson) was against.
South Carolina Exposition and Protest
Caphoun(VP) anonymously published it, it proposed that each state in the union should use the right to nullify an unconstitutional act of congress; it was directed to the Tariff of 1828. He said the Tariff of 1828 placed the union in danger and gave the south no rights. He suggested state nullification instead of secession of SC.
Martin Van Buren
He said that political parties were necessary to control the gov, basically so the gov won't have too much power and won't abuse it. He opposed the Whigs and was against the American System. He was Jackson's secretary of state, then his VP.
Specie Circular
It was an executive order that stated land had to be bought with gold or silver and not paper money.
Hayne-Webster Debate
In 1830, Robert Hayne and Daniel Webster argued/spouted speeches in the Senate. Hayne(South Carolina) thought the Constitution was little more than a treaty between sovereign states, and Webster thought that it was the concept of the United States as one nation. The debate cemented the image of Webster as a legendary defender of Constitution and Union.
The Alamo
It was a fortress in Texas where 400 Am were slaughtered near Santa Anna in 1836. A famous quote "Remember the Alamo" stood for Texan independence.
GUIDED READING QUESTIONS:
The "Corrupt Bargain” or 1824
Know: Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay, John Quincy Adams, King Caucus, Corrupt Bargain
1. What was unusual about John Quincy Adams's victory in the presidential election of 1824?
After the election was down to just Jackson and Adams, Adams had a meeting with Clay- who had power to sway the vote and who disliked Jackson- and soon after, was named President. Adams also announced Clay as his Secretary of State which was a good position because there was a high change for Clay to become president later on.
A Yankee Misfit in the White House
Know: John Quincy Adams
2. Was John Quincy Adams well suited to be president? Explain.
No, he was thought to be one of the most successful secretaries of state but one of the least successful presidents. He entered presidency with the charges of "corruption, margin, usurpation" and he was a minority president with little popular support. He didn't have any talents as a politician. He didn't fill public servant jobs with his people, only a few and his supporters were despaired. He also had nationalistic views and the south was worried about his meddling and the west resented his policies.
Going "Whole Hog" for Jackson in 1828
Know: Old Hickory, Mudslinging, Rachel Robards
3. Describe the tone and tactics used in the 1828 election.
They started the tradition of using campaigning, like the hickory for Jackson and the oak for Adams and their symbolic meanings, and mudslinging, aka talking bad about the competition and exaggerating. Some of Adam's supporters talked bad about Jackson's wife Rachel and his previous viciousness but some Jacksonians called Adams a excessive gambler and accused of being a pimp. The overall tone of this election was one of dirty insults and kind of horrible.
“Old Hickory” as President
Know: Inaugural Brawl, King Mob
4. What was there about Andrew Jackson which made him a man of the people?
He was the first president from the west and the second without a college education. He also had humble beginnings. Though he wasn't one of the masses, he shared much of their prejudices. His inauguration symbolized the ascendancy of the masses, for the first time, nobodies mingled with the somebodies and the Inaugural Brawl happened. "King Mob" reigned.
The Spoils System
Know: Spoils System, Rotation in Office
5. Defend Andrew Jackson's use of the Spoils System.
He defended it on democratic grounds, he stated that "Every man is as good as his neighbor or equally better." He argued it was better to bring in new blood and each generation deserved its turn at the public office, a rotation in office. Why should he encourage the development of an aristocratic, bureaucratic, officeholding class? The spoils system was an important element of the emerging 2 party order, cementing as it did loyalty to party over competing claims based on economic class or geographic region. This showed how to pick a party and stay loyal to it.
The Tricky “Tariff of Abominations”
Know: Tariff of Abominations (of 1828), Denmark Vesey
6. What circumstances led to the passage of the Tariff of Abominations?
Jackson and Jacksonians told the manufacturers of the North to try to increase the tariff, though they didn't believe it would and hoped it wouldn't. To their surprise, it passed.
"Nullies" in South Carolina
Know: Nullies, Henry Clay, Tariff of 1832, Force Bill
Describe the nullification crisis.
South Carolina was enraged with the Tariff of 1828, but Congress eased tensions with the Tariff of 1832 because it removed the worst parts of the Tariff of 1828. Though the it helped some, the nullies sought the 2/3 majority needed in the SC legislature to nullify the tariff and the got it, so they voted to nullify the federal tariff. SC even threaded secession if the federal government tried to impose the tariff over the nullification vote. Jackson got the military ready to enforce the tariffs, but Clay proposed a compromise. He reasoned for the tariff rate to be reduced 10% over 8 years and the compromise passed. But Congress also passed the Force Bill which allowed the president to use force if necessary to collect tariffs. It was unclear who won, SC got the tariff lowered and the federal gov got SC to follow the tariff.
The Trail of Tears
Know: Cherokees, Five Civilized Tribes, Indian Removal Act, Trail of Tears, Indian Territory, The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Seminoles
8. What was particularly unfair about the treatment of the Cherokee Tribe?
The Cherokees made and especially remarkable efforts to learn the ways of the whites. They gradually abandoned their semi nomadic life and adopted a system of settled agriculture and a notion of private property. They developed schools and an alphabet and a constitution with 3 branches. Some Cherokees even became prosperous cotton planters and slave owners. The Five Civilized Tribes all attempted to adjust to white life. But it wasn't good enough for the whites, they asserted their own jurisdiction over indian affairs and indian lands. The Cherokees appealed to the Supreme Court but Jackson refused the courts decisions. Jackson proposed to remove the indians and uprooted 100,000 indians in the Indian Removal Act. Many of the indians died on the forced march.
The Bank War
Know: Bank of the United States, Nicholas Biddle
9. Do you agree or disagree with Nicholas Biddle’s nickname, “Czar Nicholas I?” Explain.
I agree, he held an immense and somewhat unconstitutional amount of power over the nation's financial affairs. BUS was the opposite of the belief of Am democracy and it foreclosed many western farms and profit, not public service, was its first first priority.
"Old Hickory" Wallops Clay in 1832
Know: Anti-Masonic Party
10. What two things were unique about the election of 1832?
They were the emergence of the Anti-Masonic Party and the use of national nominating conventions. Basically the Anti-Masonic Party was a secret society that opposed masons, which Jackson was and they used a printed party platform, they printed their positions on the issues and this would become the norm for all parties. They spread their influence throughout the middle Atlantic and NE states. National nominating conventions were the people of each party nominated their candidate, not the "big whigs" that chose.
Burying Biddle’s Bank
Know: Mandate, Pet Banks, Specie Circular
11. "Andrew Jackson's killing of the BUS forced him to issue the Specie Circular." Assess.
Instead of waiting for the BUS charter to expire, he forced the issue and tried to destroy it. He withdrew money from BUS and put it into pet banks. Biddle fought back by calling back loans from smaller banks and so many smaller, "wildcat banks" and farms got foreclosed. "Wildcat" currency became really unreliable that Jackson had to issue a Specie Circular.
The Birth of the Whigs
Know: Democrats, Whigs
12. What is so alluring about being associated with “the common man?”
The common man was the majority and to defend him is like to defend the helpless. Democratic-Republicans (Jackson supporters) became the Democrats and everyone who opposed or dislike Jackson became the Whigs. Even though Jackson was for the common man, the Whigs claimed that the Democrats were corrupted and weren't for the common man. The Whigs, by absorbing the anti-Masonic party, declared they now defended the common man, the helpless.
The Election of 1836
Know: Favorite Son, William Henry Harrison, Martin Van Buren
13. Describe the development of the second party system from 1828-1836.
The Whigs, lead by William Henry Harrison, tried different strategies to try to win, they used a favorite son candidate from each section in hopes of splitting the electoral vote and to prevent anyone from winning by majority and to throw the election to the House of Reps where they had a shot at wining. But Martin Van Buren won.
Big Woes for the "Little Magician"
Know: Martin Van Buren
14. Why was Martin Van Buren unpopular?
From the beginning he started with severe handicaps. He's a machines made candidate and lots of Democrats resented him. He couldn't fill the passionate shoes of Jackson and the people felt let down. He also inherited Jackson's enemies and a rebellion in Canada rose incidents that threatened to trigger war with Britain and his attempt at neutrality failed. The antislavery North was raising problems and annexation of Texas was considered. Worst of all, Jackson made Van Buren deal with the depression he caused.
Depression Doldrums and the Independent Treasury
Know: Panic of 1837, Speculation, Divorce Bill, Independent Treasury
15. What caused the Panic of 1837, and what was done by the president to try and end it?
The panic of 1837 was caused by rampant overspeculation and other schemes of getting rich quickly. Jackson also caused it with the Bank War and the Specie Circular. The failure of crops helped the panic. Van Buren responded through the Divorce Bill which stated that the gov should divorce itself from banking and it set up an independent treasury where extra gov money was to be kept in vaults. The Divorce Bill was passed, repealed by the Whigs, then reenacted 6 years later.
Gone to Texas
Know: Stephen Austin, Davy Crockett
16. What made Texas so appealing to Americans?
Americans' hunger for more land. Especially for cotton. IN 1823, Stephen Austin was granted a huge tract of land to bring in 300 Am families. Texas was also a land for escaped convicts or criminals (G.T.T), Davy Crockett was one.
The Lone Star Rebellion
Know: Sam Houston, Santa Anna, Alamo, W. B. Travis, Goliad, Lone Star Republic, San Jacinto
17. How did Texas, a part of Mexico settled by Americans, become independent of both?
Texas declared independence in 1836 and called itself the Lone Star Republic. Texans fought Santa Anna in the Battle of Alamo and Goliad, Santa Anna won with his commander Colonel W.B. Travis. Sam Houston, president of Texas, led troops to the Battle of San Jacinto, which was a turning point and Santa Anna had to sign a document stating that Texas was independent and Andrew Jackson recognized that Texas was a nation.
Makers of America: Mexican or Texan?
Know: Moses Austin, Stephen Austin, Anglos
18. Did Texans ever really intend to become Mexican citizens, or did they feign allegiance to get land?
Moses Austin wanted to become Spanish to get cheap land and freedom of laws. He planned to gather 300 families to establish a colony in Texas. When he died, his son Stephen Austin took up his dream. The original Anglo-Texans ignored Mexican laws and officials including slavery laws. They fought back with violence. Stephen Austin sincerely tried to Mexicanize himself and his followers…until the Mexican gov got too arbitrary and authoritarian. I think they just wanted land and stayed Mexican only when things went their way.
The Log Cabins and Hard Cider of 1840
Know: Log Cabin, Hard Cider, "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too"
19. What does the election of 1840 tell you about politics and voters in America at that time?
That superficialness was the norm and it worked well. Hard cider was given out and slogans like "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too" were sung and issues or problems were hidden. People voted for the "better" president, or "better politician".
The Two-Party System
20. Who were the Democrats and what did they believe? The Whigs?
They were the common man's party and they believed in champion of the liberty of the individual and were against the progress of privilege into government and they were made up of the lower classes (farmers in South, West, rural areas); they believed in states' rights and federal restraint in social and economic affairs. The Whigs were the upper class's party and they favored a renewed national bank, protective tariffs, internal improvements, public schools, and prohibition of liquor, and abolition (made up mostly of educated and wealthier classes and from the East). Both had social diversity though, from all classes.
1. Andrew Jackson felt he’d been robbed the presidency in 1824. This motivated the regular folks to political action. He vowed to win for the people’s sake, and did so.
2. A conflict started to brew between the north and the south. The issue was the tariff (import tax) and whether the south had the right to “nullify” or wipe it out. The trouble was worked out, but it foreshadowed bigger trouble to come, over slavery.
3. Jackson distrusted banks—he thought they were tools for the rich to milk money off the poor. He killed the National Bank and threw the whole banking system into chaos.
4. By the time William Henry Harrison ran for president in 1840, popular, mass politics had grown into the circus-like monster that it’s known as today.
IDENTIFICATIONS:
American System
Henry Clays proposed this system, it was a 3 pronged attack, in a way, to promote industry. His 3 parts were strong banking systems, and a protective tariff, and a federally funded transportation system.
Corrupt Bargain
It was a political scandal. It stated that Clay supposedly met with John Quincy Adams before the House election to break the deadlock between Adams and Jackson. Clay didn't like Jackson and since he had the power to sway the votes, Adams was elected president against the popular vote and Clay was named Secretary of State (a very good position with a good chance of becoming president).
Tariff of Abominations
It was a bill that favored western agricultural interests by raising tariff/import taxes on imported goods which favored Northern manufacturers. In the South, these tariffs raised the cost of manufactured goods, which enraged them and caused more sectionalist feelings.
Nullification
Thought that stated that states have the right to nullify/disregard a federal law if they feel it's unconstitutional.
Force Bill
It let President Jackson use military force to collect the money from Tariffs of 1828 and 1832.
Five Civilized Tribes
They were made up of the Cherokee, Creeks, Choctaws, Chickasaws, and Seminoles.
Trail of Tears
The Cherokee Indians were forced to leave their lands and homes to travel from North Carolin/Georgia through Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas to the Indian Territory. It was more than 800 miles. A lot of Cherokees died of the cold, diseases, and the shortage of food on the 116 day journey.
Nicholas Biddle
He was the president of the Second BUS and he tried and struggled to keep the bank open when President Jackson tried to destroy it.
Democrats vs. Whigs
They both originated from the democratic-republican party and the 2 party system was formed. Jackson led the Democrats and they were for strong state rights and against protective tariffs and national banks and they were for the common people. The Whigs had Webster, Clay, William Henry Harrison in it; they wanted strong federal gov and were for everything the Democrats(Jackson) was against.
South Carolina Exposition and Protest
Caphoun(VP) anonymously published it, it proposed that each state in the union should use the right to nullify an unconstitutional act of congress; it was directed to the Tariff of 1828. He said the Tariff of 1828 placed the union in danger and gave the south no rights. He suggested state nullification instead of secession of SC.
Martin Van Buren
He said that political parties were necessary to control the gov, basically so the gov won't have too much power and won't abuse it. He opposed the Whigs and was against the American System. He was Jackson's secretary of state, then his VP.
Specie Circular
It was an executive order that stated land had to be bought with gold or silver and not paper money.
Hayne-Webster Debate
In 1830, Robert Hayne and Daniel Webster argued/spouted speeches in the Senate. Hayne(South Carolina) thought the Constitution was little more than a treaty between sovereign states, and Webster thought that it was the concept of the United States as one nation. The debate cemented the image of Webster as a legendary defender of Constitution and Union.
The Alamo
It was a fortress in Texas where 400 Am were slaughtered near Santa Anna in 1836. A famous quote "Remember the Alamo" stood for Texan independence.
GUIDED READING QUESTIONS:
The "Corrupt Bargain” or 1824
Know: Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay, John Quincy Adams, King Caucus, Corrupt Bargain
1. What was unusual about John Quincy Adams's victory in the presidential election of 1824?
After the election was down to just Jackson and Adams, Adams had a meeting with Clay- who had power to sway the vote and who disliked Jackson- and soon after, was named President. Adams also announced Clay as his Secretary of State which was a good position because there was a high change for Clay to become president later on.
A Yankee Misfit in the White House
Know: John Quincy Adams
2. Was John Quincy Adams well suited to be president? Explain.
No, he was thought to be one of the most successful secretaries of state but one of the least successful presidents. He entered presidency with the charges of "corruption, margin, usurpation" and he was a minority president with little popular support. He didn't have any talents as a politician. He didn't fill public servant jobs with his people, only a few and his supporters were despaired. He also had nationalistic views and the south was worried about his meddling and the west resented his policies.
Going "Whole Hog" for Jackson in 1828
Know: Old Hickory, Mudslinging, Rachel Robards
3. Describe the tone and tactics used in the 1828 election.
They started the tradition of using campaigning, like the hickory for Jackson and the oak for Adams and their symbolic meanings, and mudslinging, aka talking bad about the competition and exaggerating. Some of Adam's supporters talked bad about Jackson's wife Rachel and his previous viciousness but some Jacksonians called Adams a excessive gambler and accused of being a pimp. The overall tone of this election was one of dirty insults and kind of horrible.
“Old Hickory” as President
Know: Inaugural Brawl, King Mob
4. What was there about Andrew Jackson which made him a man of the people?
He was the first president from the west and the second without a college education. He also had humble beginnings. Though he wasn't one of the masses, he shared much of their prejudices. His inauguration symbolized the ascendancy of the masses, for the first time, nobodies mingled with the somebodies and the Inaugural Brawl happened. "King Mob" reigned.
The Spoils System
Know: Spoils System, Rotation in Office
5. Defend Andrew Jackson's use of the Spoils System.
He defended it on democratic grounds, he stated that "Every man is as good as his neighbor or equally better." He argued it was better to bring in new blood and each generation deserved its turn at the public office, a rotation in office. Why should he encourage the development of an aristocratic, bureaucratic, officeholding class? The spoils system was an important element of the emerging 2 party order, cementing as it did loyalty to party over competing claims based on economic class or geographic region. This showed how to pick a party and stay loyal to it.
The Tricky “Tariff of Abominations”
Know: Tariff of Abominations (of 1828), Denmark Vesey
6. What circumstances led to the passage of the Tariff of Abominations?
Jackson and Jacksonians told the manufacturers of the North to try to increase the tariff, though they didn't believe it would and hoped it wouldn't. To their surprise, it passed.
"Nullies" in South Carolina
Know: Nullies, Henry Clay, Tariff of 1832, Force Bill
Describe the nullification crisis.
South Carolina was enraged with the Tariff of 1828, but Congress eased tensions with the Tariff of 1832 because it removed the worst parts of the Tariff of 1828. Though the it helped some, the nullies sought the 2/3 majority needed in the SC legislature to nullify the tariff and the got it, so they voted to nullify the federal tariff. SC even threaded secession if the federal government tried to impose the tariff over the nullification vote. Jackson got the military ready to enforce the tariffs, but Clay proposed a compromise. He reasoned for the tariff rate to be reduced 10% over 8 years and the compromise passed. But Congress also passed the Force Bill which allowed the president to use force if necessary to collect tariffs. It was unclear who won, SC got the tariff lowered and the federal gov got SC to follow the tariff.
The Trail of Tears
Know: Cherokees, Five Civilized Tribes, Indian Removal Act, Trail of Tears, Indian Territory, The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Seminoles
8. What was particularly unfair about the treatment of the Cherokee Tribe?
The Cherokees made and especially remarkable efforts to learn the ways of the whites. They gradually abandoned their semi nomadic life and adopted a system of settled agriculture and a notion of private property. They developed schools and an alphabet and a constitution with 3 branches. Some Cherokees even became prosperous cotton planters and slave owners. The Five Civilized Tribes all attempted to adjust to white life. But it wasn't good enough for the whites, they asserted their own jurisdiction over indian affairs and indian lands. The Cherokees appealed to the Supreme Court but Jackson refused the courts decisions. Jackson proposed to remove the indians and uprooted 100,000 indians in the Indian Removal Act. Many of the indians died on the forced march.
The Bank War
Know: Bank of the United States, Nicholas Biddle
9. Do you agree or disagree with Nicholas Biddle’s nickname, “Czar Nicholas I?” Explain.
I agree, he held an immense and somewhat unconstitutional amount of power over the nation's financial affairs. BUS was the opposite of the belief of Am democracy and it foreclosed many western farms and profit, not public service, was its first first priority.
"Old Hickory" Wallops Clay in 1832
Know: Anti-Masonic Party
10. What two things were unique about the election of 1832?
They were the emergence of the Anti-Masonic Party and the use of national nominating conventions. Basically the Anti-Masonic Party was a secret society that opposed masons, which Jackson was and they used a printed party platform, they printed their positions on the issues and this would become the norm for all parties. They spread their influence throughout the middle Atlantic and NE states. National nominating conventions were the people of each party nominated their candidate, not the "big whigs" that chose.
Burying Biddle’s Bank
Know: Mandate, Pet Banks, Specie Circular
11. "Andrew Jackson's killing of the BUS forced him to issue the Specie Circular." Assess.
Instead of waiting for the BUS charter to expire, he forced the issue and tried to destroy it. He withdrew money from BUS and put it into pet banks. Biddle fought back by calling back loans from smaller banks and so many smaller, "wildcat banks" and farms got foreclosed. "Wildcat" currency became really unreliable that Jackson had to issue a Specie Circular.
The Birth of the Whigs
Know: Democrats, Whigs
12. What is so alluring about being associated with “the common man?”
The common man was the majority and to defend him is like to defend the helpless. Democratic-Republicans (Jackson supporters) became the Democrats and everyone who opposed or dislike Jackson became the Whigs. Even though Jackson was for the common man, the Whigs claimed that the Democrats were corrupted and weren't for the common man. The Whigs, by absorbing the anti-Masonic party, declared they now defended the common man, the helpless.
The Election of 1836
Know: Favorite Son, William Henry Harrison, Martin Van Buren
13. Describe the development of the second party system from 1828-1836.
The Whigs, lead by William Henry Harrison, tried different strategies to try to win, they used a favorite son candidate from each section in hopes of splitting the electoral vote and to prevent anyone from winning by majority and to throw the election to the House of Reps where they had a shot at wining. But Martin Van Buren won.
Big Woes for the "Little Magician"
Know: Martin Van Buren
14. Why was Martin Van Buren unpopular?
From the beginning he started with severe handicaps. He's a machines made candidate and lots of Democrats resented him. He couldn't fill the passionate shoes of Jackson and the people felt let down. He also inherited Jackson's enemies and a rebellion in Canada rose incidents that threatened to trigger war with Britain and his attempt at neutrality failed. The antislavery North was raising problems and annexation of Texas was considered. Worst of all, Jackson made Van Buren deal with the depression he caused.
Depression Doldrums and the Independent Treasury
Know: Panic of 1837, Speculation, Divorce Bill, Independent Treasury
15. What caused the Panic of 1837, and what was done by the president to try and end it?
The panic of 1837 was caused by rampant overspeculation and other schemes of getting rich quickly. Jackson also caused it with the Bank War and the Specie Circular. The failure of crops helped the panic. Van Buren responded through the Divorce Bill which stated that the gov should divorce itself from banking and it set up an independent treasury where extra gov money was to be kept in vaults. The Divorce Bill was passed, repealed by the Whigs, then reenacted 6 years later.
Gone to Texas
Know: Stephen Austin, Davy Crockett
16. What made Texas so appealing to Americans?
Americans' hunger for more land. Especially for cotton. IN 1823, Stephen Austin was granted a huge tract of land to bring in 300 Am families. Texas was also a land for escaped convicts or criminals (G.T.T), Davy Crockett was one.
The Lone Star Rebellion
Know: Sam Houston, Santa Anna, Alamo, W. B. Travis, Goliad, Lone Star Republic, San Jacinto
17. How did Texas, a part of Mexico settled by Americans, become independent of both?
Texas declared independence in 1836 and called itself the Lone Star Republic. Texans fought Santa Anna in the Battle of Alamo and Goliad, Santa Anna won with his commander Colonel W.B. Travis. Sam Houston, president of Texas, led troops to the Battle of San Jacinto, which was a turning point and Santa Anna had to sign a document stating that Texas was independent and Andrew Jackson recognized that Texas was a nation.
Makers of America: Mexican or Texan?
Know: Moses Austin, Stephen Austin, Anglos
18. Did Texans ever really intend to become Mexican citizens, or did they feign allegiance to get land?
Moses Austin wanted to become Spanish to get cheap land and freedom of laws. He planned to gather 300 families to establish a colony in Texas. When he died, his son Stephen Austin took up his dream. The original Anglo-Texans ignored Mexican laws and officials including slavery laws. They fought back with violence. Stephen Austin sincerely tried to Mexicanize himself and his followers…until the Mexican gov got too arbitrary and authoritarian. I think they just wanted land and stayed Mexican only when things went their way.
The Log Cabins and Hard Cider of 1840
Know: Log Cabin, Hard Cider, "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too"
19. What does the election of 1840 tell you about politics and voters in America at that time?
That superficialness was the norm and it worked well. Hard cider was given out and slogans like "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too" were sung and issues or problems were hidden. People voted for the "better" president, or "better politician".
The Two-Party System
20. Who were the Democrats and what did they believe? The Whigs?
They were the common man's party and they believed in champion of the liberty of the individual and were against the progress of privilege into government and they were made up of the lower classes (farmers in South, West, rural areas); they believed in states' rights and federal restraint in social and economic affairs. The Whigs were the upper class's party and they favored a renewed national bank, protective tariffs, internal improvements, public schools, and prohibition of liquor, and abolition (made up mostly of educated and wealthier classes and from the East). Both had social diversity though, from all classes.