The Election of 1824
The last election based on the old elitist political system was betwixt Jackson, Clay, Crawford, and John Quincy Adams in 1824.
John Quincy Adams became elected President.
John Quincy Adams
His presidency was a political failure because of:
His anti-western land and Indian policies.
His stubborn and prickly personality.
His support for national roads, a national university, and an astronomical observatory.
Was accused of, because Henry Clay had given him his support, having a "corrupt bargain" by giving Clay the position of Secretary of State.
The "Corrupt Bargain" of 1824
It was a contemptuous Jacksonian term for the alleged political deal by which Clay threw his support to Adams in exchange for a high cabinet office.
Jacksonians charged the President at the time, JQ Adams, of being the employer of a corrupt bargain because of Clay's becoming Secretary of State after showing his support of Adams.
Henry Clay wasn't against the charge of a "corrupt bargain" between himself and Pres. Adams.
The Election of 1828
The winner was Andrew Jackson.
The election campaign of 1828 was notable for its personalities and mudslinging.
Jackson's victory represented the triumph of the West and the common people over the old elitist system.
Andrew Jackson
Some of his nicknames were "Old Hickory" and "Mischievous Andy"
In his policies, he epitomized a hard-working ordinary frontiersman in contrast to the wealthy Adams. His home life wasn't as such though.
He didn't pass the "Tariff of Abominations" due to his strong opposition to it.
When the Supreme Court attempted to withhold the Native American's rights, he defied them by ordering them to remove to Oklahoma.
He was appealing to the common people partly because he had risen from the masses and reflected many of their prejudices in his personal attitudes and outlook.
His veto of the Bank of the United States recharter bill represented a bold assertion of presidential power on behalf of western farmers and other debtors.
One important result of this veto wasthe lack of a stable banking system to finance the era of rapid industrialization.
Jackson vetoed it to politically mobilize the common people of the West against the financial elite of the East.
Jacksonians
They believed that ordinary citizens were capable of holding almost any public office without primary qualifications.
Jackson's New Spoils System
One consequence was the building of powerful political machines based on jobs and sometimes corrupt rewards distributed to political supporters.
It illustrated the new popular voice in politics.
Whigs Party
Anti-Jackson political party that generally stood for national community and an activist government.
Prominent leaders of the party included Henry Clay and Daniel Webster.
In general, Whigs favoured a strong federal role in both exonomic and moral issues.
In the election of 1840, they used bogus, though popular, symbols like a log cabin and hard cider to elect "poor-boy" William Henry Harrison in 1840.
The "Tariff of Abominations"
"Tariff of Abominations" was a scornful term for the High Tariff of 1828.
In the battle over the "Tariff of Abominations," New England backed high tariffs while the South demanded lower duties.
South Carolina's fierce opposition to the tariff reflected anxiety that enhanced federal power might be turned against the institution of slavery.
President Jackson held strong opposition to the tariff.
Under the surface of the South's strong opposition to the "Tariff of Abominations" was a fear of growing federal power that might interfere with slavery.
Native American Policies
Some southeastern Indian tribes like the Cherokees were notable for their development of effective agricultural, educational, and political institutions.
In promoting his policy of Indian removal, President Andrew Jackson defied rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court that favored the Cherokees.
The "Trail of Tears" was the name of Jackson's relocation of the southeastern Native Americans to Oklahoma.
The Election of 1832
New political developments like third party campaigning, national conventions, and party platforms arose from the election of 1832.
Having conventions was a new, circus like method of nominating presidential candidates that involved wider participation but usually left effective control in the hands of party bosses.
A small, short-lived third political party that originated a new method of presidential nomination came into being; it was the Anti-Masonic party.
The Texas Revolution
Immediately after the successful Texas Revolution, Texas petitioned to join the United States but was refused admission.
The Panic of 1837
The Panic of 1837 and subsequent depression were caused by over-speculation and Jackson's financial policies.
Virtually guaranteed Martin Van Buren's defeat in 1840.
The Bank of the U.S.
It was the "moneyed monster" that Clay tried to preserve and Jackson killed with his veto in 1832.
Nullification
A theory promoted by John C. Calhoun and other South Carolinians that said states had the right to disregard federal laws to which they objected.
Evangelical Protestants
Religious believers, who were originally attracted to the Anti-Masonic party and then to the Whigs, and who sought to use political power for moral and religious reform.
Democrats
A political party that generally stressed individual liberty, the rights of the common people, and honesty to privilege.
The Election of 1840
Was based on hoopla and "log cabins and hard cider slogans" and demonstrated how both Whigs and Democrats can effectively play the new mass-party political game.
Go back home, little billy.