Jacksonian Democracy: The Play
Narrator 1: America in the early 1800s was changing fast. In the North, workshops run by
the craftspeople who owned them were being-replaced by large scale factories owned by
businesspeople and staffed by hired workers.
Workshop Owner: I just cannot keep up with these large-scale factories! They are able to
produce more than I can, and pay their workers less money. What am I going to do!? (fake
cry)
Narrator 2: Meanwhile, in the South, small family farms began to give way to large cotton
plantations, owned by wealthy white people and worked by enslaved African Americans
Wealthy land owner (in southern accent): Soon enough, we’re gonna git these small
farms out of the south and then our plantations and my money will stretch for miles and
miles!
Narrator 3: In the late 1700s some Americans thought that government was best managed
by wealthy, property owning men. Government action seemed to help build the power of
these people. The result was a growing belief that the wealthy were the ones with the most
power.
Common Man 1 (disappointed): Why do the wealthy get the power? I’m just as smart and I
probably work harder too. We need some change around here.
Everyone (shouts): YEAH!
Small farmer (in southern accent): We need a candidate more like us! Someone we can
depend on.
Frontier settler: Yeah! Someone courageous like us!
Andrew Jackson: There’s nothing to fear! Andrew Jackson is here!
Everyone (shouts): HOORAY!
Narrator 3: Many groups, such as the small farmers, frontier settlers, and slaveholders
believed that Jackson would defend the rights of the common people and slave states.
Many had been very disappointed in the way Jackson had lost in the 1824 election.
Common Man 2: You’re darn right we were!
Small farmer (in southern accent): Yeah! Jackson got cheated in that whole “corrupt
bargain” deal!
Frontier settler: It was definitely not right. Not right at all. That Adams is a bald, toothless
old man!
Small farmer (in southern accent): I thought that was his father?
Frontier settler: Oh… Well, maybe it was. But he’s one too!
Narrator 4: As Jackson became more and more popular, many democratic reforms, or
changes, were taking place. States were changing their laws on who could vote. Instead of
only white male landowners being able to vote, more white males received the chance to
vote. Unfortunately, free African-Americans were not given the same opportunities. The
expansion of voting rights during the 1820s is what we call Jacksonian Democracy.
White man: Although, I don’t own land, I am now able to have my voice heard!
Free African American: That’s hogwash! As a slave, my ancestors worked long hard days
on plantations to provide me with the opportunities I have. Until all voices are heard there
is no such thing as liberty or democracy.
Narrator 5: Another reform or change that took place revolved around the way political
parties chose their candidates. Nominating conventions, or meetings at which political
parties select their presidential and vice presidential candidates, started to be held.
Common Man 1 &2, Frontier Settler, Small Farmer (together): We the people of
Democratic Party of the United States select Andrew Jackson and John C. Calhoun to be our
president and vice presidential candidates.
Narrator 6: Supporters of Jackson were determined that their candidate would win the
1828 election. They formed the Democratic Party and ran Andrew Jackson against
President Adams and the National Republicans, the renamed Republicans who supported
Adams. The Election of 1828 was a rematch of 1824 and it was a dirty one that focused
deeply on their personalities.
Democratic Jackson Campaigner 1: Jackson’s a war hero, not a zero!
Democratic Jackson Campaigner 2: Jackson was poor and now he’s rose, hasn’t Adams
caused us more than enough woes?!
Democratic Jackson Campaigner 1: Success comes from hard work and Jackson knows
this. If we choose Adams, we’re headed for the abyss!
Democratic Jackson Campaigner 2: Adams needs a crutch, for he is old and out of touch!
Republican Adams Campaigner 1: Oh yeah!? Well, Andrew Jackson is crude. He is a hot
head, four years under him and our country is sure to be dead!
Republican Adams Campaigner 2: Jackson doesn’t have experience, he’s ill equipped,
Adams is one man we cannot evict!
(All campaigners shout at each other for a few seconds)
Narrator 7: While the campaign was passionate and sometimes downright dirty, when the
ballots were counted, Jackson defeated Adams, winning a record number of popular votes.
He had officially defeated John Quincy Adams and redeemed himself from the defeat in
1824.
Andrew Jackson: I’m back on top, baby! How do you like them apples, Adams? No corrupt
bargaining is going to win you the president this time, pal!
John Q. Adams: I shall return to Massachusetts to my farm and my books. My time here in
Washington is finished, Jackson. For now… but always remember, I could always come back
at any time…
Narrator 8: In fact, he did. John Quincy Adams was elected to the House of Representatives
in 1830. Jackson’s supporters saw his victory in 1828 as a win for the common people. A
crowd cheered outside the Capitol as he took his oath of office.
(Everyone cheers)
Chief Justice White: Repeat after me, “I, Andrew Jackson, do solemnly swear (or affirm)
that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States…”
Andrew Jackson: I, Andrew Jackson, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully
execute the Office of President of the United States…”
Chief Justice White: “and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the
Constitution of the United States.”
Andrew Jackson: and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the
Constitution of the United States. So Help Me God.
Chief Justice: Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, the 7th President of the United States
Andrew Jackson: PARTY AT MY EXECUTIVE MANSION!!!!!!!!
Narrator 9: The massive crowd followed Jackson to a huge party on the White House lawn.
The few police officers on hand had difficulty controlling the partygoers.
Margaret Baynard Smith (witness): “What a scene we did witness! A mob of boys,
women, children scrambling, fighting, romping…cut glass and china to the amount of
several thousand dollars had been broken… But it was the people’s day and the people’s
President, and the people would rule.”
Narrator 10: As president, Jackson rewarded some of his supporters with government
jobs. This spoils system, or the practice of giving government jobs to political backers, was
a popular way of repaying the favor that most of the hard working individuals who had
given time or efforts to him.
Andrew Jackson: Say small farmer, how would you like to be in charge of all of the farms
in the country, just because you were able to help me out with my election?
Small Farmer (in southern accent): Well golly gee, Mr. President. I'd sure love to do that
for ya.
Andrew Jackson: Say frontier settler, how would you like to be in charge of all of the
expeditions to the West in the country, just because you were able to help me out with my
election?
Frontier settler: Well, I do say, Mr. President, that I will gladly accept your offer.
Andrew Jackson: Well, you know what they say…. “to the victor goes the spoils of the
enemy” and let’s just say I’m not keeping them all for myself!
Narrator 11: Not only did Jackson embrace the spoils system, but he also developed
something called the Kitchen Cabinet, or an informed group of trusted advisors who
sometimes met in the White House kitchen. Most of the individuals were friends of Jackson.
Andrew Jackson: Well gentlemen, we did it. We have reached the mountaintop.
Kitchen Cabinet Member 1 (Newspaper Editor): Yes sir we have
Kitchen Cabinet Member 2(Family Friend): You bet
Kitchen Cabinet Member 3 (Secretary of State Martin Van Buren): No doubt about it
now.
Andrew Jackson: I would like to propose a toast. To those who came before me, and to
those who will come after, let it be known that Andrew Jackson was here and he and his
closest allies made a difference in the United States.
Everyone: (CHEERS!)