A Changing Nation Section 3: The Age of Jackson Chapter 10 A Changing Nation Section 3: The Age of Jackson

Section 3 Essential Question How did the people gain more power during the Age of Jackson?

Section 3: The Age of Jackson Andrew Jackson served two terms as President, from 1829 to 1837. By the time he became President he was a very wealthy man. Jackson stood for the idea that ordinary people should take part in American political life.

William H. Crawford [GA] Jackson’s Opponents in 1824 Henry Clay [KY] John Quincy Adams [MA] John C. Calhoun [SC] William H. Crawford [GA]

Section 3: The Age of Jackson Election of 1824 In the election of 1824, Jackson won the popular vote Andrew Jackson had more electoral votes But he did not have a majority of the electoral votes According to the Constitution, the House of Reps. had to decide between Adams and Jackson Speaker of the house – Henry Clay He had great influence Told his supporters to vote for Adams They did – Adams becomes president

Results of the 1824 Election A “Corrupt Bargain?”

Why did Jackson’s supporters claim there had been a “corrupt bargain” in the election of 1824? Henry Clay threw his support to John Quincy Adams. Then, as President, Adams appointed Clay as his secretary of state.

Section 3: The Age of Jackson Jackson’s Reaction Jackson and his followers were furious They claimed the 2 men had made a ‘corrupt bargain’ Clay was named Adams’ secretary of state…. Presidency of J.Q. Adams Adams accomplished little in 4 years Stigma of the corrupt bargain Not politically savvy Attempted to get a national program running Build roads and canals A high tariff on imports “Clay’s American Plan” He never won the trust of the people though As a result, he served only one term

Section 3: The Age of Jackson A New Era in Politics Jackson’s defeat was the beginning of a new era in politics. By 1874 more people were able to vote Most states had dropped the property requirement If you were a white male, you could vote and hold office Women, enslaved African Americans, and in most states free African Americans could not vote Democracy in the Age of Jackson Jackson believed that rich and poor alike should be a part of government He opposed special privileges for the wealthy He did not trust government He was also very suspicious of banks – which he believed favored the rich

Which groups did not benefit from increased suffrage in the United States? All women, all enslaved African American men, most free African American men.

Section 3: The Age of Jackson New Political Parties During the 1824 election, the Republican Party split. Supporters for Adams were called National Republicans and supports for Jackson were called Democrats. NR party formed in 1828 Died shortly after Whigs formed in 1836 – they were anti-jackson Whigs and Democrats were the two parties until 1852

Section 3: The Age of Jackson New Political Parties (cont) New ways of doing things Presidential candidates had been chosen by a Caucus Meeting of members of a political party Now they were chosen by Nominating Conventions Large meetings of party delegates to choose candidates Opened the process to many more people Made things more democratic

The “Common Man’s” Presidential Candidate

Campaigning “on the Stump”

Section 3: The Age of Jackson Jackson becomes President 3x as many people voted in 1828 than in 1824 Jackson won the presidency easily The election did show some sectionalism forming Voters in different parts of the country were more likely to vote for one candidate than another

1828 Election Results

Section 3: The Age of Jackson Jackson becomes President (cont) Jackson’s Inauguration Jackson’s was a victory for the ‘common man’ His inauguration showed this plainly 20,000+ people attended from all walks of life Many did not behave well More like a huge party than a regal event Critics dubbed Jackson's election as the ‘reign of king mob’

The Reign of “King Mob”

Section 3: The Age of Jackson The Spoils System Once in office, Jackson replaced some government officials with his own supporters. One of his supports coined the term “To the victor belongs the spoils” The spoils system is the practice of rewarding government jobs to loyal supporters

Section 3: The Age of Jackson The Spoils System (cont) Jackson was no different than any other president All of them had replaced some government officials Jackson only replaced 20% Difference was that Jackson openly defended his decisions He claimed putting new people into these jobs furthered democracy

Jackson as Satan Dangles the Spoils of Victory over his Supporters

How did Andrew Jackson justify the spoils system? He believed that putting new people into government jobs furthered democracy.

Section 3 Essential Question How did the people gain more power during the Age of Jackson? During Andrew Jackson’s presidency, a growing spirit of democracy resulted in more people being allowed to vote.