Use the three primary source documents in the attached packet and Ch 10 in America: A Narrative History to answer this prompt:
To what extent did the period Jacksonian Democracy initiate threats to the rights of minority groups in America?
In your answer be sure to address:
- John C. Calhoun's concept of the concurrent majority as a way to protect the minority rights of southern slaveholders.
- The Cherokee understanding of their national and individual rights, and the ways they were threatened by the majority.
- Attempts by northern free blacks to retain their right to vote in the face of majority pressure.
Title: The Threats to Minority Rights during the Period of Jacksonian Democracy
Introduction
The period of Jacksonian Democracy, spanning from the 1820s to the 1840s, witnessed significant political and social changes in America. While it celebrated the expansion of democracy and the empowerment of the common man, it also initiated threats to the rights of minority groups in various ways. This essay will explore the extent to which Jacksonian Democracy threatened the rights of minority groups in America, focusing on three primary sources: John C. Calhoun's concept of the concurrent majority, the Cherokee understanding of their national and individual rights, and the attempts by northern free blacks to retain their right to vote.
1. John C. Calhoun's Concept of the Concurrent Majority
John C. Calhoun, a prominent political figure during the Jacksonian era, developed the concept of the concurrent majority as a means to protect the minority rights of southern slaveholders. According to Calhoun, minority rights should be safeguarded against the tyranny of the majority. However, his concept primarily aimed at preserving the rights of slaveholders rather than promoting equality for all citizens.
Calhoun argued that slavery was a positive good and that southern slaveholders deserved protection under the Constitution. By advocating for the concurrent majority, Calhoun sought to provide a mechanism for the minority to veto legislation that threatened their interests. While this concept may have seemed like a safeguard for minority rights on the surface, it ultimately perpetuated and protected the institution of slavery, which directly violated the rights of enslaved African Americans.
2. The Cherokee Understanding of their National and Individual Rights
The Cherokee Nation provides a compelling example of how Jacksonian Democracy posed significant threats to minority rights. The Cherokees had established a sovereign nation within Georgia's borders and had their own government, laws, and constitution. However, as white settlers encroached upon Cherokee lands, they faced mounting pressure from the majority to relinquish their territories.
In 1830, President Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act, which forced Native American tribes, including the Cherokees, to relocate west of the Mississippi River. This act trampled upon the Cherokees' national and individual rights and violated numerous treaties signed with the United States government. Despite legal battles and appeals, such as Worcester v. Georgia in 1832, which affirmed Native American sovereignty, Jackson's administration ignored these rulings and forcibly removed thousands of Cherokee people on the infamous Trail of Tears. This egregious violation of minority rights demonstrated the disregard for Native American sovereignty and their right to self-determination.
3. Attempts by Northern Free Blacks to Retain their Right to Vote
During the Jacksonian era, northern free blacks faced increasing challenges in retaining their right to vote due to majority pressure. As white suffrage expanded, many states implemented restrictive voting laws targeting African Americans. These laws included property requirements, literacy tests, and other discriminatory measures designed to disenfranchise black voters.
Despite these obstacles, free blacks in northern states fought tenaciously to retain their voting rights. Organizations such as the African American Mutual Aid Society organized campaigns to challenge discriminatory laws and advocate for equal voting rights. Their efforts were met with resistance from white majorities who sought to maintain their political dominance.
In response, some northern states enacted "black laws" that further restricted African American voting rights. These laws perpetuated racial inequality and undermined the principles of democracy that Jacksonian Democrats claimed to champion.
Conclusion
These examples illustrate that Jacksonian Democracy did not uphold equal rights for all citizens. Instead, it perpetuated inequality and discrimination against minority groups. It is essential to acknowledge these historical injustices and learn from them as we strive for a more inclusive and equitable society today.