Democracy & the Age of Jackson
Election of 1824 (The Corrupt Bargain) Four Democratic-Republican candidates Henry Clay Andrew Jackson William Crawford John Quincy Adams
Henry Clay Represented West (Kentucky) American System 2nd National Bank Tariff Internal Improvements
Andrew Jackson Represented West (Tennessee) War Hero Battle of New Orleans Spanish Florida
William Crawford Represented South (Georgia) Cabinet Member Supported States’ Rights
John Quincy Adams Represented North (Massachusetts) Agreed with American System except internal improvements Very similar to Clay
Election Results Nobody wins majority of electoral votes Jackson gets more popular votes Goes to House of Representatives Clay throws support to Adams and then becomes Secretary of State under Adams “Corrupt Bargain”—Clay helps Adams win and in return gets Cabinet post
John Quincy Adams Presidency was defined by spending money (some view it as being wasteful) Adams seemed to bring Federalist ideas back to the White House (failure) Jackson was infuriated by losing in 1824 after getting the most popular votes
“Jacksonian Democracy” Jackson emphasized majority rule and the “common man” Represented American opportunity to succeed (anti-aristocratic) Jackson had moved to the West (Tenn.) where he became a lawyer and planter
Election of 1828 Jackson defeats Adams with 56% of popular vote and 66% of electoral vote Supporters called themselves “Democrats” Emphasis on “common man”