1. Andrew Jackson

2. Election of 1824
After 23 years in control, the Democratic-Republican party was split.
The party had four candidates:
John Q. Adams (son of 2nd president, supported by President Monroe)
Henry Clay (popular among the “new West”)
William Crawford (supported by Congress)
Andrew Jackson (supported in the West and South)
Jackson was the least experienced, but worked his way up society and appealed to the “common folk”

3. Election of 1824
Jackson won the most popular votes, but no candidate had a majority of electoral votes.
The election was turned over to the House of Representatives.
Henry Clay (Speaker of the House) turned his support to Adams.
After the votes, Adams won, and immediately named Clay Secretary of State.
Jackson believed this was a “corrupt bargain” and this election divided the party forever.
Republicans: supporters of Adams and Clay
Democrats: supporters of Jackson

7. There’s Something About Little Johnny…
Nickname: Accidental President
Had no personal skills
Loved to skinny dip in the Potomac River

8. Election of 1828
Four years later, the election was once again between Adams and Jackson.
Americans were asked to chose between “John Adams who can write, and Andrew Jackson who can fight!”
Three times as many people voted in 1828, and Jackson claimed the title of President.
Jackson enacted the spoils system: replacing Adams’ government workers with his own supporters.

10. There’s Something About Andy…
Nickname: Old Hickory
Fought over 100 duels, getting shot in the chest once, and then calmly killed his opponent

11. The Bank Crisis
The U.S. Bank had a lot of influence over Congress and the nation’s economy.
To Jackson, the bank was unconstitutional, corrupt, and only represented the rich.
Henry Clay planned to strengthen the bank and embarrass the President by drafting a new plan for the bank.
Clay predicted Jackson would not veto the bill in an election year.

12. The Bank Crisis Jackson saw this as an attack:
“The Bank is trying to kill me ……..but I will kill the Bank!”
Jackson vetoed the bill and made it a central fight in his reelection campaign.
“When the laws make the rich richer, the humble members of society – farmers, mechanics, and laborers – have a right to complain.”
Many citizens agreed, and Jackson beat Henry Clay in the election of 1832.

14. The Whig Party
While Jackson remained popular, he also made many political enemies.
Whig Party: new political party joined together by people who opposed Jackson; such as, Henry Clay, the U.S. Bank, and wealthy businessmen.
The Whig candidate, William Harrison, became President in 1840, ending Jacksonian ideas.

17. DISCUSSION – Was Jackson a good President?
Andrew Jackson’s presidency has been a constant debate throughout history.
I want you to tell me, do YOU think Jackson was a good President? Why or Why Not?
GOOD: Ended power of the U.S. bank, gave more power to lower classes in society, stopped corruption in government.
BAD: Went against Congress to authorize the largest removal of Native Americans in history, put his supporters in power

18. CLOSURE IN YOUR OWN WORDS, describe the election of 1824.
What is the spoils system?
What was the bank crisis? What did this do to Jackson’s popularity?
What was the Whig party?