Prelude to the Age of Jackson John Quincy Adams and the Challenge of a New Political Order,

1824 Election 4 candidates—Andrew Jackson, William Crawford, Henry Clay, and John Quincy Adams End of Caucus System Beginning of Mass Politics Henry Clay and the “American System” “Corrupt Bargain”

Adams Presidency Personality not suited for more democratic times Ambitious platform— internal improvements, national university, scientific explorations— doomed by personality and politics Struggled both with domestic politics— Indians in Georgia— and foreign policy— with Great Britain and Mexico Tariff of 1828 was especial imbroglio

“Manufacture of a President”— Tariff of 1828 To get Jackson elected, Calhoun proposed a really high tariff, assuming it would fail Tariff ended up passing and south and west blamed JQA for it Calhoun shuffled and drafted “South Carolina Exposition and Protest.” Tariff issue insured Jackson’s election but illustrated potential volatility of Jackson’s cabinet and the peculiar nature of political discourse in the emerging Second Party System

Election of 1828 Much “mudslinging” on both sides Jackson wins easily—178 to 83 in electoral college Rachel Donelson Robards Jackson died— Jackson blamed his political enemies for her death; he considered slanderers to have murdered her

Rachel Donelson Robards Jackson

Epitaph on Rachel’s Tomb Here lie the remains of Mrs. Rachel Jackson, wife of President Andrew Jackson, who died on the 22d of December, 1828, aged 61. Her face was fair; her person pleasing, her temper amiable, her heart kind.... A being so gentle and so virtuous, slander might wound but could not dishonor. Even death, when he tore her from the arms of her husband, could but transport her to the bosom of her God. “May God Almighty forgive her murderers.... I never can.” Andrew Jackson

Hermitage Tomb

Coffin Handbill

Jacksonian Democracy More eligible voters; more elective offices All but two states (Delaware and South Carolina) had adult male suffrage by Successful politicians had to appeal to the Common Man