US_Ch1_web-national-level

=**Structure at the National Level**=

Martin Van Buren became a U.S. Senator out of New York in 1821 (year after Missouri Compromise) defeating Nathan Sanford, who was a supporter of De Witt Clinton, the man Van Buren competed with for control of the New York party structure. In the 1800s, U.S. senators were chosen by state legislatures, so you can see who controlled the New York legislature (Van Buren's supporters). As a U.S. senator, Van Buren looked to transplant his party system at the national level. He took a middle road on slavery arguing against the spread of slavery but also for the existence of it to stay in the South. In addition, he worked toward a position of states' rights, constrained by a national party that would avoid direct confrontation with slavery. This would be enforced by the spoils system. He thought this would prevent disunion and war. He felt that the presidency needed to be held by a Northerner with Southern principles or a Westerner with no ties to the slavery issue, which would be a candidate from his party. Such a candidate would have to be appealing to both Albany and Richmond. Those that avoided the slavery issue would receive more of the spoils and therefore support a Northerner with Southern principles or a Westerner with no ties to slavery.


 * (5)** **Based on Van Buren's plan, if his party was the party in power how would that prevent disunion due to slavery?**
 * (6)** **How do you think Van Buren planned to have the spoils system help make sure the party stayed in power and avoided the slavery issue (would those who were outspoken on the slavery issue more or less likely to receive the spoils)?**

Van Buren wanted to limit the federal government's power to act on slavery in the states, but inadvertantly set up a system leading to the growth of government. Today, there is a big bureaucracy that relies on special interests. For example, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) gets more money and more power to make regulations if Congress allows more money to go to them and that can only happen if environmentalists elect friendly representatives and senators. Why do you think drilling for oil in Alaska is an issue? To some it's a no brainer to drill for oil in our own nation instead of relying on the Middle East. However, drilling for oil on our land is an environmental issue. Such examples exist in all bureaus and agencies in the government. THIS WAS NOT VAN BUREN'S INTENTION. In the 1800s, money wasn't randomly spent. In 1800, the U.S. government spent $11 million with a population of 5.3 million. By 1820, spending doubled but so did population - most spending was on defense and none on education or welfare.

Van Buren would pull together groups within the government and worked to help get Andrew Jackson elected president in 1828, which would put Van Buren's spoils system party organization structure into action at the national level.

What does this mean??? THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BEGAN GIVING GOVERNMENT JOBS TO THOSE WHO SUPPORTED THE PARTY AND CANDIDATE THAT WON = SPOILS SYSTEM.

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