 No property requirements to vote in most states.  Fewer requirements for holding office.  Political Parties hold nominating conventions where citizens choose candidates-not party leaders.  Voters actually vote for the candidates.  Universal white male suffrage.

 A Citizen was basically defined as being white & male.  Women lacked voting rights: treated as male property, no legal status.  No voting rights for African Americans and increased oppression of free blacks.  No voting rights for Native Americans.

Voting Requirements in the Early 1800s changing

 National Republicans - Adams-Clay  (Similar to Federalists)  Pro-Federal Government  Pro-Bank  Pro-Tariff  Pro-National Improvements- Roads, Railroads, Canals  Democrats - Jackson  Pro-States Rights  Anti-Bank  Anti-Tariff  Anti-Federal funded transportation  Martin Van Buren- campaign organizer  Strong political organizer  Better organization

 One of the dirtiest Campaigns Ever One of the dirtiest Campaigns Ever  Open Air Rallies, Barbecues  Focus on Party Membership (Not issues)  Stump speeches  Torchlight Parades  Candidate Debates  Drinking alcohol  Banners/Slogans  Newspapers become important  Propaganda  Mudslinging

Democratic Party National-Republican Party

 Democrats - ● Supported by small farmers, frontier settlers and slave holders ● Called a murderer ● Wife attacked in papers as a bigamist ●Had six deserters killed in the military ● Attacked Indian villages ● Liked to fight duels ● Hot-tempered  National Republicans - ● Supported by wealthy, property- owning men ● Seen as an elitist ● Seen as corrupt ● Seen as privileged-son of a President ● Out of touch with average people ● Attacked for wasting tax dollars ● Had gambling devices in the White House (Pool Table and Chess Set) Andrew Jackson / John C. Calhoun(VP)Richard Rush(VP) / John Q. Adams

Results of the 1828 Election ● Jackson easily wins the election with a record number of votes. ● Voters wanted to be sure 1824 didn’t happen again. ● Jackson rewards supporters with government jobs. ● This is called the “Spoils System” or the practice of giving government jobs to political backers. ● Van Buren – Secretary of State ● Jackson begins what he called his “Kitchen Cabinet” which was an informal group of trusted advisers. 131 Electoral Votes Needed

Pre–Civil War Voter Turnout The turnout of voters in presidential elections more than doubled from 1824 to 1828, the year Andrew Jackson was first elected. Turnout surged to 80 percent in 1840, the year the Whigs triumphed. The extension of suffrage to all white men, and heated competition between two political parties with nationwide membership, turned presidential election campaigns into events with great popular appeal.

JACKSON’S INAUGURATION -His presidential election was considered a victory for the average or common man. -Jackson’s inaugural ceremony got quite crowded and rowdy as guest broke dishes and glasses and forced the new president out of the White House.

STRANGE, BUT TRUE! John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on the same day – the Fourth of July, 1826, the 50 th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Both Adams and Jefferson were founders of the nation, signers of the Declaration of Independence and both Presidents. They were also bitter, political enemies who had become friends again later in life. Adams was 90; Jefferson was 83. Adam’s last words were “Thomas Jefferson still survives.” He was unaware that Jefferson had died just a few hours earlier. On top of that: President James Monroe also died on July 4, 1831 — five years after Thomas Jefferson and John Adams.

JEFFERSON v. JACKSON