1. Politics of the People
Ch. 12 sec. 1

2. The Election of 1824
regional differences led to fierce fight over the presidency
Democratic-Republican party split => four candidates
John Quincy Adams – supported by New England
William Crawford – supported by the South
Henry Clay – supported by the West
Andrew Jackson – supported by the West

3. The Election of 1824
Jackson won the popular vote, but did not receive a majority of electoral votes
House of Reps had to choose the president
selected among top 3 vote getters: Jackson, Adams, Crawford
Clay threw his support to Adams
Adams won
named Clay as his Secretary of State
Corrupt Bargain??

4. Election of 1828
Jackson felt the 1824 election had been stolen from him and started to work to gain the presidency in 1828
Jackson claimed to represent the “common man” and said Adams represented privileged, wealthy easterners.

5. Election of 1828 Democratic-Republican party divided in two
Democrats – Jackson supporters
National Republicans – Adams supporters
Bitter campaign with vicious personal attacks
Even Jackson’s wife, Rachel, was a target
Jackson’s platform
promised to look after the interests of the common people
promoted the idea of majority rule

6. Jacksonian Democracy
def.: the idea of spreading political power to all and ensuring majority rule
this process had actually already begun with Jefferson
people had gained the right to vote as states reduced voting restrictions
expansion of voting rights helped Jackson win the election of 1828
hailed as a victory for the common people
put an end to the idea that government should be controlled by an educated elite

7. Changes in Ideas about Democracy
Jeffersonian Democracy
Jacksonian Democracy
Government for the people by capable, well educated leaders
Government by the people
Democracy in political life
Democracy in social, economic, and political life
Championed the cause of the farmer in a mainly agricultural society
Championed the cause of the farmer and the laborer in an agricultural and industrial society
Limited government
Limited government with a strong president

8. The People’s President – Early Years
father died shortly before his birth
grew up on a frontier farm in South Carolina
joined the militia at 13 to fight in the Revolutionary War
prisoner by the British
scarred when he refused to shine the boots of a British officer
released from prison with smallpox to his mother’s care – his brother died of the illness
shortly thereafter his mother died
hated the British
moved to the Tennessee frontier after the war
became a lawyer and bought and sold land
Ran for Congress

9. The People’s President - War Hero
appointed a general in the War of 1812 and a hero of the Battle of New Orleans
invaded Spanish Florida during the Seminole Wars
earned the nickname “Old Hickory”

10. Jackson Takes Office
shortly after his win, Jackson’s wife Rachel died as a heart attack
Jackson believed that the campaign attacks on her reputation had killed her
Jackson was thin, pale, and sad at his inauguration on March 4, 1829 but the crowd was excited
during the ceremony the crowd shouted, waved, and applauded
a large group followed Jackson to the White House reception
people broke china and glasses
pushing and shoving
Jackson fled the White House

11. A New Political Era Begins
Replaced government officials with his supporters.
this system became known as the spoils system
opponents charged that the practice was corrupt
Jackson defended it, saying it broke one group’s hold on government

12. A New Political Era Begins
As president Jackson would face three major issues
the status of Native Americas
the rights of the states
the role of the National Bank