It was a surprise that Bancroft got into Democratic politics. He was born and bred in conservative Massachusetts of the early 1800's, a son of a unitarian reverend and son-in-law of wealthy capitalist Jonathan Dwight. But, according to historian Arthur Schlesinger Jr., Bancroft was too clever and skeptical for the Boston and Harvard scenes. A trip to Europe after his Harvard graduation really opened his eyes.
Becoming a Jacksonian
He embraced democracy. On July 4th, 1826, Bancroft declared in a speech that he was in favor of "a determined, uncompromising democracy." Later, he wrote a negative article in the North American Review about the Bank of the United States. A follow-up article was so hostile to the B.U.S. that the editor refused to publish it. Bancroft confided to politician Martin Van Buren that the bank was contrary to the principle of equal rights.
However, Bancroft refused to run for public office when nominated or asked by Jacksonians or the Workingmen's Party. He also doubted President Andrew Jackson's qualifications during the 1832 campaign, helping to draft an anti-Jackson address on behalf of the National Republican State Convention. Meanwhile, Bancroft was working on the first volume of his acclaimed History of the United States, tracing the progress of liberty. Schlesinger claimed this exercise helped Bancroft make a full conversion.
The conversion was made official in October 1834. Two Bancroft letters were published, complaining that the B.U.S. had too much power and there was an increasing unequal distribution of wealth. While conservatives of Massachusetts were disgusted with Bancroft, he became the Democratic conscience of the state. He was rewarded with the powerful federal patronage position of Collector of Boston, which made him state Democratic boss.
The James K. Polk Administration
By the time of the 1844 Democratic Convention, leading Massachusetts delegate Bancroft had been corresponding with James Polk for years and viewed him as a vice presidential candidate since 1840. After seven ballots, it was a deadlock between Van Buren and Lewis Cass for the presidential nomination. Then Bancroft met with Polk operative Gideon Pillow and decided that New England should lead the way in nominating Polk for president. By the ninth ballot, it was a unanimous Polk avalanche.
Polk defeated Whig Henry Clay in the general election and Bancroft was rewarded with the post of Secretary of the Navy. As Polk was contemplating a war declaration against Mexico, Bancroft was the only cabinet officer to reject a declaration unless Mexico attacked the U.S.. When that happened, Bancroft helped Polk craft his war message to Congress. With the U.S.-Mexican War on, Bancroft ordered a blockade of Mexican ports and the capture of California territory.
After rounding out the Polk term as Minister to Britain, Bancroft continued to be involved in politics. He lambasted the Franklin Pierce Administration as having too many Whigs and an "unproductive hybrid begot by southern arrogance upon northern subserviency." During the Civil War, Bancroft was the unofficial representative of the loyal war Democrats. He supported emancipation and even promoted the Republican ticket for Congress.
Not only did Bancroft study history, he made history. He aided the Jacksonian democratic movement in conservative New England. He was instrumental in a Polk presidency. He supported the Union war effort with his anti-slavery stance. Overall, Schlesinger called Bancroft's political judgement "penetrating."
Sources
Borneman, Walter R., Polk, Random House: New York, 2008.
Howe, Daniel Walker, What Hath God Wrought, Oxford: New York, 2007.
Schlesinger, Arthur M. Jr., The Age of Jackson, Back Bay: New York, 1945.
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