The Peggy Eaton affair was a political scandal that occurred in the United States in the early 19th century, during the administration of President Andrew Jackson. At the center of the scandal was Peggy Eaton, the wife of John Henry Eaton, who was Jackson's Secretary of War.
Peggy Eaton was a controversial figure in Washington society at the time, largely due to her reputation as a social climber and her alleged promiscuity. Many of the wives of Jackson's Cabinet members refused to associate with her, and this led to a rift within the administration.
The Peggy Eaton affair became a major political issue, as Jackson's supporters and opponents took sides on the matter. Jackson himself was fiercely loyal to the Eatons, and he defended Peggy Eaton against the allegations of her detractors. This led to a split within the Jackson administration, with some of his supporters, known as the "Kitchen Cabinet," backing the Eatons, and others, known as the "Parlor Cabinet," opposing them.
Ultimately, the Peggy Eaton affair contributed to the collapse of Jackson's administration, as many of his supporters left the government in protest over his handling of the matter. The scandal also had long-lasting political repercussions, as it fueled the growing divide between the North and South and contributed to the emergence of the two-party system in the United States.
Despite the controversy surrounding her, Peggy Eaton remained a prominent figure in Washington society and was known for her wit and charm. She died in 1879, long after the affair that had defined much of her public life had passed into history.
Petticoat affair
The fact that he never wanted the South to break away from the United States as it would a decade after his death, his words and life's work made him the father of secession. When Jackson won the 1828 election, this changed significantly, leaving all but two states with people-based voting systems, Delaware and South Carolina Shown by: Changes in Election: Doc 1. Bitter over the decline of his political fortunes, Vice President Calhoun sought revenge against Martin Van Buren. Jacksonian and Antebellum Age: People and Perspectives. Excluded from social gatherings. Retrieved April 9, 2017. Their tactics included ridiculing his lack of education and accusing him of everything from blasphemy to land frauds and murder.
The Peggy Eaton Affair: A look back
She showed the greatest great respect and a strict sense of propriety when mixing with the older, wealthy women who were wives of Cabinet members. The petition was referred to the Senate's Naval Affair Committee. Soon elected to the U. Calhoun, and friends and political associates in Tennessee also refused to have anything to do with her. Andrew Jackson and the Course of American Democracy, 1833—1845. The women of Washington society, led by Jackson's niece Peggy Eaton affair was the 7th American President who served in office from March 4, 1829 to March 4, 1837.
The Peggy Eaton Affair
Like so many others in federal service, Jackson had had no intention of relocating to the capital. The Significance of the Peggy Eaton affair for kids The Peggy Eaton affair was extremely significant. The hasty marriage must have brought a few surprises to her father. He solidified his position with Jackson in 1831 when he volunteered to resign from the cabinet, thus giving the president an opportunity to force a mass resignation. Eaton, though, saw her quite differently. The juicy, scandalous gossip was mulled over across the country. Essentially it caused a huge rift in the administration; Andrew Jackson now sided with Martin Van Buren instead of John C.
The Peggy Eaton Affair: Political Conflict Between...
Furthermore, the wickedly humid weather in the spring and summer prompted lawmakers to complete their sessions by early April, then escape to cooler climes. . Sharp, 1889 , p. Andrew Jackson and His Tennessee Lieutenants: A Study in Political Culture. His policy behind this action was due to feeling more sympathetic towards a woman whose honor was being attacked, such as his honor The Career Of John Caldwell Calhoun The political career of John Caldwell Calhoun spanned over forty years.
Andrew Jackson: The Petticoat Affair
The social etiquette of 'paying calls' was a firmly established ritual in polite society. Enraged, Jackson correctly accused Calhoun of having had the letters published. After taking office, President Jackson appointed Eaton to his Cabinet as Secretary of War. In the Washington of the 1820s and 1830s, women enforced strict societal standards on each other. The Petticoat Affair and Continued Tension between Jackson and Calhoun This conduct was especially offensive to President Jackson as it reminded him of the treatment received by his treasured and recently deceased wife Rachel, whom he had married amid rumors of an elicit affair. In 1818, Peggy and John Timberlake became friends with John Eaton, a wealthy 28-year-old widower who had recently been elected U.
The Petticoat Affair: Scandalous Peggy Eaton Causes the Dismissal of a Cabinet
Accordingly, before his presidency, most states had people-based voting systems, with exceptions of New York, South Carolina, Delaware, Vermont, Louisiana, Georgia. Andrew Jackson and John C Calhoun were elected as president and vice president, and immediately began bickering. Martin Van Buren remarked: "I would rather have live vermin on my back, than the tongue of one of these Washington women on my reputation. Peggy Eaton: The Gorgeous Hussy ' The Gorgeous Hussy' a 1936 movie, starring Joan Crawford and Robert Taylor, was loosely based on the life of Margaret O'Neill Eaton and the Peggy Eaton affair. Eaton was a rising star in the new Jackson administration. .