2. George Washington (1732-1799) election of 1788/1792
First President of U.S.
Won unanimously in 1788 (69 Electoral Votes) and 1792 (132 votes).
Only president to get all electoral votes
No Designated Party
“Reluctant President”
Only 10 states participated in the 1788 election, N.Y. chose no electors, N.C. and R. I. hadn’t ratified the Constitution.

3. George Washington (1732-1799) election of 1788/1792
Issues include:
Starting a new country
French Revolution

4. George Washington (1732-1799) election of 1788/1792
As President: Starting a new country
Hamilton had plans to establish a national credit and build a financially powerful nation – basis of Federalist Party. Jefferson is opposed to Hamilton – Jeffersonian Republicans.
Washington held regular cabinet meetings to debate issues before making a final decision.
Promoted neutrality for the country, until it grew stronger.

5. George Washington (1732-1799) election of 1788/1792
As President: French Revolution
Refused to accept recommendations from Secretary of State: Jefferson (pro-French) or Secretary of Treasury: Hamilton (pro-British).
Insisted on neutral course until the U.S. was stronger.

6. George Washington (1732-1799) election of 1788/1792
Set many precedents and customs of the presidency, such as serving max. of two terms
Two parties were developing by the end of Washington’s second term.
In his farewell speech, Washington warned against excessive party spirit, geographical distinctions, and long term alliances.

7. Bibliography www.u-s-history.com/pages/h378.html

8. John Adams (1735-1826) election of 1796
V.P. under G. Washington
Election in 1796 as Federalist
Strong central w/ weak states rights
“loose interpretationalist”
More electable than Hamilton
Main support from New England
Defeats T. Jefferson (Dem-Rep) by 3 e.v. (& Pinckney & Burr)

9. John Adams (1735-1826) election of 1796
Issues include:
Federalist handling of Whiskey rebellion and..
Jay’s Treaty (too British-sympathetic)
As President:
XYZ Affair creates undeclared war w/ French ’97 (“Millions for defense, not one cent for tribute”)
“Quasi-War” required taxes --- John Fries revolt in Penn.
Convention of 1800 leads to peaceful resolution w/ French and later the Louisiana Purchase
And….

10. John Adams (1735-1826) election of 1796
As President:
Alien and Sedition Acts target Dem-Reps and their supporters
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions create “nullification talk”

11. John Adams (1735-1826): election of 1796
Politics moves towards two declared parties
Elections about personalities and
……..on sectional interests
Adams avoided “entangling alliances”
U.S. beginning to form “an identity”, but…
Federalists mimic British culture (furniture/literature/art/etc)
America must choose Feds or Dem-Reps in 1800!

12. 1800 and 1804 Jefferson (dem-rep) vs. Adams (fed)
Democratic-republicans:
Strict interpreters
States’ rightists
Feared monarchy/dictatorship
Federalists:
Loose interpreters
Valued strong central gov’t
Feared anarchy
Thomas Jefferson elected
162 electoral votes compared to 14 for his Federal opponent
Federalists too radical for public, campaigns fizzled out,

13. The Men Jefferson Adams Aggressive Somewhat passive, weak voice
Writer
Appealed to middle class (farmers, artisans, etc.)
Liberal
Sympathized with downtrodden
Favored agriculture
Advocated “rule of the people”
Minimal military
French influence
Adams
Aggressive
Strong speaker
Appealed to upper class (North)
Traditional
Focused on National Bank
Advocated “rule of best people”
Strong military
British influence

14. The Election Federalists angry with President John Adams
Didn’t allow war with France against Napoleon
Resulted in increased taxes and higher public debt
Loyal Federalists bash Jefferson
Rumors of atheism: believed in separation of church and state
Thief
Adulterer
Jefferson elected
Southern states had more votes (slaves counted as 3/5)
Aaron Burr helped swing important NY votes from Adams
Jefferson and Burr tie, broken by House of Representatives (picked “lesser of two evils”)
John Adams is last Federalist President of the USA

15. What’s going on 00-04 USA adjusts to new Constitution
US Expansion: Louisiana Purchase, Lewis and Clark expedition
World: Napoleon invades parts of Europe, Africa, and the Americas
Hated Embargo Act of 1807

16. Elections 1808 and 1812 Election of 1812 Election of 1808
-James Madison (Dem. Rep.)
-Dewitt Clinton (Federalist)
-Madison wartime president
-Dewitt a Dem. Rep. chosen by Federalists as best chance to beat the Dem. Rep.’s out of office. (He is also the Nephew of Madison’s late V.P.)
Election of 1808
-James Madison (Dem. Rep.)
-Charles Pinckney (Federalist)
-Madison former Sec. of State and a friend of Jefferson’s. (Virginian)
-Pinckney ran against T-Jeff in 1804.

17. Party platforms/strategy
Election 1808
-Dem. Rep. Madison had Jefferson’s support and T-Jeff still popular.
-Running as previous Sec. of State and a Virginian
-Federalist Pinckney uses the embargo act and bad foreign politics with Britain and France against Madison and T-Jeff
Election 1812
-Dem. Rep. Madison running as a wartime president.
-People don’t want to switch power in the middle of a conflict. (First example of this)
-Federalist Dewitt Clinton changed politics according to popular feeling and geography. (South W=pro war-Dewitt=Pro war, New England against-Dewitt=against)
-Ran hoping to get people who did not want another term with a Virginian President.

18. Election Results Election 1808 Election 1812
-Dem. Rep. Madison Wins by a lot. Pinckney loses.
-Madison (122) Clinton (47)
Election 1812
Dem. Rep. Madison Wins again by a lot (though not as much as before), Dewitt Loses.
-Madison (128) Dewitt (89)

19. Brief History 1808 1812 -Madison’s War
-Embargo of Britain unpopular in New England.
-Congress doesn’t cooperate with Madison like it did with T-Jeff.
-Divided feelings on seemingly unavoidable war.
-Troubles with natives, belief that they had British assistance.
-War to reestablish belief in republican system.
-Madison asked congress to declare war on June 1, 1812.
1812 -Madison’s War
-United States not really united
-Some in New England helping the British.
-U.S. not prepared, regular army scattered and ill trained.
-American navy, shining example (Oliver Hazard Perry)
-Francis Scott Key Star Spangled Banner.
-Jackson Victory in New Orleans.

20. James Monroe (1758-1831) election of 1816
Under James Madison
Secretary of State (1812)
Secretary of War (1814)
Elected in 1816 as Democratic-Republican
Defeats Rufus King (Federalist) by landslide
Federalist party weak due to War of 1812

21. As President: James Monroe 1816-1819 “Era of Good Feelings”
Economic “Panic of 1819”
Missouri Compromise
Prohibited Slavery in 36° 30’ Parallel
Florida ceded to United States by Spain

22. James Monroe Election of 1820
Ran for re-election unopposed
Not elected unanimously by electoral college
One elector voted for John Q. Adams
As President:
Andrew Jackson attacked Florida
Monroe Doctrine

23. The Election of 1824 John Quincy Adams (Mass) Andrew Jackson (Tenn)
Secretary of State – (Mastermind of Monroe Doctrine)
Andrew Jackson (Tenn)
Military Hero (New Orleans/Indian Fighter)
William Crawford (Geor)
Henry Clay (Kent)
Speaker of the House
All candidates were “Republicans”
John C. Calhoun ran as VP with Adams and Jackson

24. The Election Only 25% of eligible voters voted Voting by section
Adams won New England
Jackson won the South and West
Election decided by Congress
Clay did not have enough electoral votes to be considered

25. The Result Speaker of House Henry Clay promises victory to Adams
Adams agreed with Clay’s American System
Federal Bank, Tariffs, and Roads/Canals
Jackson to military/states rightist
Crawford finished by a stroke
Adams becomes the first “minority President”

26. The “Corrupt” Bargain Adams becomes President
Clay becomes Secretary of State
3 out of 4 last Secretaries of State became President
Corruption unlikely because Adams was honest to a fault.
Rumors of corruption plagued both Adam’s and Clay’s political careers

27. Adams as President Respect > Popularity Unpopular policies
A Failure at “Baby kissing” democracy.
Only replaced 12 government officials
No spoils lost Adams party support
Unpopular policies
American System
Fair with Indians in Georgia (Cherokees)
Adams=nationalist, America=sectionalist

28. The Elections of Andrew Jackson
Truly the coolest President

29. Election of 1828 Criticized Adams’ National Republican administration
“People’s Candidate” on Democratic-Republican ticket.
Rachel

30. Issues of Elections 1828 – against Pres. John Q. Adams
“Corrupt Bargain”
Mud-Slinging
Tariff of Abominations
1832 – against Henry Clay
Rechartering of the National Bank

33. Jackson as President Spoils System Veto! Veto! Veto! Weak Cabinet
Reduction of National Debt
Indian Removal

34. Legacy of “Old Hickory”
No banking system until 1913
Appeal to common man
Importance of personality in elections

35. Election of 1836 Democrats/Jacksonians
Jackson ensured the nomination of Martin Van Buren (his “yes man”) in Van Buren promised to “tread generally” in the shoes of Andrew Jackson, but was not wildly supported by Jacksonians.
Against tariffs and federally funded internal improvements.
Mostly pro-slavery.
Supported independent treasury.
Supported by South and West.

36. Election of 1836
Whig Party
Chose “favorite sons,” each with regional appeals, hoping to split the vote and force it to the House of Representatives.
Pro-bank, pro-protective tariff, pro-internal improvements.
Supported moral reform.
Based in New England.

37. Election of 1836 Candidates Martin Van Buren, Democrat.
General William Henry Harrison (“Old Tippecanoe”), Whig’s leading “favorite son.”
Hugh White, Whig
Daniel Webster, Whig
Willie Mangum, Independent

38. Election of 1836 Major Issues Tariffs
National Bank vs. Independent Treasury
Slavery
Internal Improvements (Federal or State funded)

39. Election of 1836 America in 1836 Population is moving west.
Women have more opportunities, but are still not equal.
Blacks continue to have no rights, whether free or slave.
The nation is beginning to be overcome by “manifest destiny.”

40. The Election of 1836 Results
Van Buren won with 170 to 124 electoral votes, but a much closer popular margin.
The Whig’s strategy failed, the election never made it to the House of Representatives.
Martin Van Buren became the eighth U.S. president, and the first to have been born under the American flag.

41. Martin Van Buren v. William H. Harrison
Election of 1840
Martin Van Buren v.
William H. Harrison

42. Election Results 1,274,624 1,127,781 234 60 William H. Harrison
Martin Van Buren
1,274, ,127,781
Popular vote
Electoral Vote

43. Demographics U.S. Population- 17,069,453 (1840 Census)
White= 83.2% Black= 16.8%
89% rural 11% urban
Average U.S. age= 18

44. Harrison Background
Not best statesman on Whig ticket, but best “Vote-getter”
Portrayed as poor Western Farmer living in log cabin (actually aristocrat)
Resulting from inaugural address, died of pneumonia after 31 days in office
1840 Election firmly established 2 party system of government
John Tyler was Vice President

45. Issues Debated
Since there were no formal party platforms were established, characteristics of the candidates were the main issue of discussion
Issues regarding the time were Mexico/Texas, Economic troubles, and relations with Britain in the Oregon region

46. Party Platforms
Neither party had established platforms, but rather relied on mass-gathering campaigns designed to make their candidate appeal to the voters.
One such example would be the “Huzza-For-Harrison” campaign

47. Election of 1848 (Zachary Taylor)
Whig Presidential Candidate
Zachary Taylor
Whig
Ran with Millard Fillmore for VP
Mexican War General (received votes from both Whig and Democratic)

48. Election of 1848 Democratic Party Candidate Lewis Cass
Served as Gov. and Senator of Michigan
Secretary of War under Jackson!!!!!
Silent on slavery (suspected of pro-slavery)

49. Election of 1848 Free Soil Party Nomination Van Buren
Party formed for election to oppose slavery in western states

50. Election of 1848
Issues
Slavery (division of Democrats over slavery gave Northeast to Taylor)
Whether annexed Mexican lands should allow slavery
Since candidates were being vague on slavery, some people voted on personality

51. Election of 1848 As President:
California wrote constitution with no slavery
Opposed Compromise of 1850 (after his death was passed)
Mysterious death
South spoke of succession, Taylor said he would “Lead the Army”

52. Election of 1848 The Results Electoral Votes: Taylor- 163 Cass- 127
Van Buren -0 (maybe next time!!)
Popular Votes: Taylor- 47.3%
Cass- 42.5%
Van Buren- 10.1%

53. Franklin Pierce (1804-1869) election of 1852
Candidates
Franklin Pierce (William King)-Democratic
Winfield Scott (William Graham)-Whig
John P. Hale (George Julian)-Free Soil
Marked the end of the Whig party
Eclipse of national parties
Rise of sectional parties

54. Franklin Pierce (1804-1869) election of 1852
Party Platforms
Whig and Democratic platforms were almost indistinguishable
No major issues were debated
Campaign was reduced to personal attacks on the candidates.
Pierce
Mexican-American War brigadier general
Served in the House of Representatives and the Senate
Northerner (NH) with Southern sympathies

55. Franklin Pierce (1804-1869) election of 1852
Scott
War hero with a 50 year career
Scott was anti-slavery which lost him support in the South
Whigs were pro-slavery which lost him support in the North
Hale
Served in the House of Representatives and the Senate
Lawyer
Opponent of the Mexican-American War
Anti-slavery

56. Franklin Pierce (1804-1869) election of 1852
Election results: popular vote
Pierce: 50.8%
Scott: 43.9%
Hale: 4.9%
Election Results: Electoral vote
Pierce: 254
Scott: 42
Hale: 0
Lowest voter turnout since 1836
Only president from NH

57. Franklin Pierce (1804-1869) election of 1852
Pierce as president:
Favored the Kansas-Nebraska Act
Repealed the Missouri Compromise
Ostend Manifesto (plan to acquire Cuba from Spain)
Widely criticized

58. Sources Consulted
Kennedy, David M. , Lizabeth Cohen, and Thomas A. Bailey. The American Pageant: A History of the Republic. 13th . Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006.

59. James Buchanan (1791-1868) Election of 1856
Representative from Pennsylvania, elected five times
Served in the senate for ten years
Secretary of State under Polk
Served as both a minister to Russia and Great Britain
Election 1856, ran as a democrat
Despite not pulling in the majority of the popular votes Buchanan gets the presidency
Defeats Fremont 174 to 117, with Fillmore at 8 E.V.

60. James Buchanan (1791-1868) Election of 1856
Issues during election:
- Kansas/Nebraska Uproar: Buchanan had served as minister to Great Britain at this time, thus he remained enemyless. Though of course the issue of slavery had yet to be resolved as a whole.
- Immigration influx, mainly more from Ireland and Germany.
As President:
- Dred Scott decision opens up all territories to slavery, declaring the 1820 compromise unconstitutional.
- Not forgetting ….

61. James Buchanan (1791-1868) Election of 1856
As President:
- Late during 1857 an economic plunge combined with the social turmoil of the times created much distress and anger.
- Buchanan’s veto on the Homestead act in 1860, kept the power southerly, where his support flowed from.

62. James Buchanan (1791-1868) Election of 1856
As a result of the turmoil economically, the north begins to demand free farms of 160 acres to be given to the public.
Congress enacts tariff of 1857, reduces duties twenty percent on dutiable goods.
Northern Manufactures blame the tariff for the hard times.
Two issues emerge via Republicans:
- Protection for the Unprotected
- Farms for the farmless
Senatorial Election of 1858 and the Lincoln-Douglas Debates; a prelude to the union split.