Early Andrew Jackson and the Election of 1828

1. Early Andrew Jackson and the Election of 1828 Sasso US I

2. The Election of 1828 • Unlike the election of 1824, which featured four “favorite son” candidates, 1828 would only have two candidates • John Quincy Adams • Andrew Jackson

3. John Quincy Adams • Massachusetts • Incumbent President • National Republican • Highly qualified for the job • Many clouds of suspicion • “Corrupt bargain” with Henry Clay • Many feel that he had stolen the presidency from Jackson

4. Andrew Jackson • Tennessee • Democratic Republican • Not formally educated • EXTREMELY popular • He is a big example of the growing political power in the West

5. The Campaign • The main political issues are the same as the previous election: public land, I.I., tariffs, slavery • Neither Adams nor Jackson want to lose political support, so they don’t talk about the issues • The campaign becomes all about “mudslinging” • All the candidates seem to want to do is insult each other

6. The Campaign • Each candidate and his party look to slander one another • Democratic attacks on JQA: corrupt, only favors the wealthy, wants to keep political power in the Northeast, improperly uses federal money • None of these attacks were justified, particularly the last charge • JQA was accused of using federal funds to put “gaming tables” in the White House • In actuality, he purchased a pool table for the White House, with his own money, that he planned to leave there

7. The Campaign • The Republican attacks on Jackson were much more vicious and much more personal • Stupid, murderer, barbarian, butcher, savage, adulterer, evil, high probability of him destroying the country, likely to strip away people’s personal liberties • The adultery charge was particularly harsh • There were some bizarre circumstances surrounding Jackson’s marital status

8. The Election • Whereas the Election of 1824 had only 25% of the voter turnout, the election of 1828 had nearly 75% of the voter turnout • Aristocracy vs. Democracy • The election turns into a blowout win for Jackson, 178-83 • JQA’s support was only in New England (MA, NH, CT, RI, ME) • Jackson carried nearly the entire South and West as well as the large states of NY and PA • Big win for the “common man” • VP will be John C. Calhoun (SC) • Jackson’s wife Rachel dies shortly after the election

9. A New Era • This a totally different ballgame for Washington, D.C. • Jackson is viewed as the first “people’s president” • He is truly seen as the common man, somebody with whom everyday people can relate • His parents were Scotch-Irish immigrants • Harbored a deep hatred of the British • Served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution at the age of 13 • Became an orphan at the age of 14 • Never had any formal education, but began studying law on his own in his late teens, ultimately became a successful lawyer • Plantations, military career, congressional career • He will always seek revenge on those that he feels wronged him

10. The Inauguration • The inauguration is a pretty good indicator of how things are going to go • Jackson idolized Thomas Jefferson; tried to handle his inauguration in a similar fashion • Thousands of people traveled to Washington just to see him inaugurated • It essentially turned into a riot

11. Looking to the Future • 62 years old when he becomes President • Health is not great • Holds huge grudges against his political opponents • Doesn’t always see a need for the other branches of government • His administration is going to be quite different from all those before it