Jacksonian Democracy

11-1

Objectives

• Why the nation’s sixth president was chosen by the House of Representatives.

• What political changes came under President Jackson

The Election of 1824In the election of 1824 Andrew Jackson had the most popular and

the most electoral votes. Why did he not win the election?

House VoteIf no candidate receives a majority of electoral votes, the House of Representatives decides the election. When the House voted, John Quincy Adams received a majority of votes and won the Presidency.

Corrupt BargainHenry Clay believed the Secretary of State was the stepping stone to the Presidency. Some believe he used his position of Speaker of the House to influence the House vote. After Adams won, Clay was appointed Secretary of State. Jackson’s supporters called this the “Corrupt Bargain”.

Adams’ PresidencyBecause of the controversy surronded Adams’ election, his popularity, policies, and programs were never really accepted. In response, in the 1826 mid-term elections, opponents of Adams came to power in both the House and Senate.

Election of 1828By the election of 1828, the Democratic-Republican Party had split. Jackson’s wing became known as the Democrats. They favored strong states rights and a weak central government.

Mudslinging

During the campaign, both sides used a tactic called “mudslinging”. As the name implies, both sides threw insults at the opposing candidates. What angered Jackson was that insults were hurled at his wife, Rachel

1828 Election

On election day, Jackson won by a landslide (overwhelming amount) and was innuagurated March 4, 1829 as the seventh President of the United States.

Old Hickory

Andrew Jackson was the first president not to be an arisocrat. His home was tennessee. He was a self made man who had fought in the Creek Wars and the War of 1812. Because of his toughness he was given the nickname “Old Hickory”.

New VotersJackson pushed for reforms to give more people “sufferage”, the right to vote. By 1840, 40% of the eligible population would be voting. Many states also changed the way electors were chosen.

The Spoils SystemA political practice of giving governmental jobs to supporters of

the winning candidate.

Electoral Changes

Caucus System Nominating Conventions

Tariff DebateCongress passed a tariff in 1828 designed to protect American

manufacturers in the Northeast.

The South ProtestsThe South which imported many goods, opposed tariffs because it raised the price of imported goods. Southern politicians led by Vice President John C. Calhoun called the act the “Treaty of Abominations”.

Webster-Hayne Debate

Daniel Webster Robert Hayne

Jackson vs. Calhoun

Andrew Jackson John C. Calhoun

NullificationSouth Carolina passed legislation allowing them not to enforce acts passed by Congress. The crisis ended when Jackson supported a lower tariff.

Force BillIn 1833, Congress passed the Force Bill which allowed the

president to use the military if necessary to carry out the laws.