1. The Age of Jackson

2. Andrew Jackson He was wealthy by the time he became president but he started life with little Born in a log cabin on border of North and South Carolina and was an orphan by 14 Survived smallpox as a child and gunshot wounds as an adult Stood for the idea that ordinary people should participate in American life He was “deeply loved by millions of ordinary Americans” Loved him for his humble beginnings and firm leadership

3. Election of 1824 Jackson first ran for president in 1824 against John Quincy Adams and William H. Crawford Jackson received the most electoral votes but not a majority House of Representatives would have to decide, it was between Adams and Jackson House picked Adams, Jackson was furious because he won the popular vote and had the most electoral votes and still lost

4. New Era in Politics Back in 1790’s suffrage began to be extended Many states dropped the requirement that men had to own property Requirements varied from state to state but almost all adult white males now could vote and hold office Now the right to chose presidential electors went to the voters, previously state legislatures chose

5. Democracy in Age of Jackson Supporters of Andrew Jackson believed ordinary people should vote in elections, hold public office, and do anything else they had the ability to Jackson and his supporters did not trust the government or banks Believed it favored the rich and powerful

6. New Political Parties During the election of 1824 supporters of Adams called themselves National Republicans Jackson’s supporters used the name Democrats In 1831 National Republicans were still intact and nominated Henry Clay, Jackson won easily By 1836, the anti-Jackson group formed a new party the Whigs From 1836-1852 the two main parties were the Democrats and the Whigs

7. Jackson Becomes President Jackson’s supporters called his election a victory for the common man He started his term by replacing some government officials with his supporters, previous presidents did the same thing He openly defended what he was doing by claiming putting new people in government jobs furthered democracy “to the victors belong the spoils” The term the spoils system was quickly applied