During the era of Westward Expansion, many landmark events occurred that significantly altered the political landscape of early 19th century America. Significant events include: the removal of Native Americans from the territories located west of the Appalachian Mountains, the migration of European-Americans and others to the unsettled Western Frontier, and the addition of the states Missouri and Maine through the Missouri Compromise. Two important political figures of the time were Davy Crockett and Andrew Jackson, both advocates of expanding land rights in the West, and of abolishing the Federal Second Bank.
In 1819, there were a total of 22 American States. With an even number of states, Congress was equally represented. In 1820, the Territory of Missouri sought to join the nation as the 23rd state. This created a political uproar since it would result in an unequal number of states, which at the time were divided into “free” states in the North and “slave” states in the South. Missouri wanted to be considered a Southern slave state, sparking opposition from the Northern states. The North did not want a higher number of slave states than free states, and Congress did not want an uneven number of states for fear of uneven representation. It was proposed that a new northern state be created in order to reestablish equality. The solution was that Maine, a former part of Massachusetts, would become an independent state. With Maine added as the 24th state, the North and South were again equally represented in Congress.
Davy Crockett was perhaps the first political figure that appeared on the scene during the Western Expansion. He created a “grassroots” campaign that appealed to those who had migrated to the West, and also to Southern slave states. He campaigned to limit the political power of the wealthy bankers and corporations in the East, and established a more democratic agenda that would essentially give rights to the “common man.” He opposed the six-member Supreme Court that held power over Congress, and also opposed the Second Federal Bank. Crockett’s campaign across the West sparked many settlers’ interests, and ultimately established a rapport among farmers, settlers and others who were not pleased with the current government.
Andrew Jackson was by far the most influential political figure during the era of Westward Expansion. Serving as a general during the War of 1812, Jackson’s humble, down-home nature attracted Southerners and those who had migrated to the West. He was a slave-owner himself and campaigned to ease the land-rights restrictions that existed at the time. When James Monroe advised European-Americans to abandon their expansion to the West, it was Andrew Jackson who voiced his opposition and sided with the Westerners. Through his desire for a strong central government, his status a highly respected though modest “man of the people,” and his belief in granting land rights to Westerners, Jackson quickly gained numerous supporters who became known as “Jacksonian Democrats.” Jackson won the election of 1828 by a landslide, and the overall voter turnout was higher than any election in history. While in office, he worked to expand the power of the Executive Branch by limiting the power of Congress. Also, he shared views similar to those of Davy Crockett, and successfully ended the Charter of the Second Bank, reasoning that its main purpose was to channel taxpayer money to the wealthy and large corporations.
-Cat
In 1819, there were a total of 22 American States. With an even number of states, Congress was equally represented. In 1820, the Territory of Missouri sought to join the nation as the 23rd state. This created a political uproar since it would result in an unequal number of states, which at the time were divided into “free” states in the North and “slave” states in the South. Missouri wanted to be considered a Southern slave state, sparking opposition from the Northern states. The North did not want a higher number of slave states than free states, and Congress did not want an uneven number of states for fear of uneven representation. It was proposed that a new northern state be created in order to reestablish equality. The solution was that Maine, a former part of Massachusetts, would become an independent state. With Maine added as the 24th state, the North and South were again equally represented in Congress.
Davy Crockett was perhaps the first political figure that appeared on the scene during the Western Expansion. He created a “grassroots” campaign that appealed to those who had migrated to the West, and also to Southern slave states. He campaigned to limit the political power of the wealthy bankers and corporations in the East, and established a more democratic agenda that would essentially give rights to the “common man.” He opposed the six-member Supreme Court that held power over Congress, and also opposed the Second Federal Bank. Crockett’s campaign across the West sparked many settlers’ interests, and ultimately established a rapport among farmers, settlers and others who were not pleased with the current government.
Andrew Jackson was by far the most influential political figure during the era of Westward Expansion. Serving as a general during the War of 1812, Jackson’s humble, down-home nature attracted Southerners and those who had migrated to the West. He was a slave-owner himself and campaigned to ease the land-rights restrictions that existed at the time. When James Monroe advised European-Americans to abandon their expansion to the West, it was Andrew Jackson who voiced his opposition and sided with the Westerners. Through his desire for a strong central government, his status a highly respected though modest “man of the people,” and his belief in granting land rights to Westerners, Jackson quickly gained numerous supporters who became known as “Jacksonian Democrats.” Jackson won the election of 1828 by a landslide, and the overall voter turnout was higher than any election in history. While in office, he worked to expand the power of the Executive Branch by limiting the power of Congress. Also, he shared views similar to those of Davy Crockett, and successfully ended the Charter of the Second Bank, reasoning that its main purpose was to channel taxpayer money to the wealthy and large corporations.
-Cat
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