The Rise of Jacksonian

Democracy

The Rise of Democratization

Following the War of 1812 and the Era of Good Feelings Americans
held some common beliefs.
Equality of opportunity for White males
The myth of the Self-Made man

Politics of the Common Man

Universal White Male Suffrage
All white men could vote and hold political office
No property or religious requirements.
Leads to a 7 fold increase in political participation.

Party Nominating Conventions

Previously candidates had been nominated by the parties King Caucus
Replaced by nominating conventions where the voters would directly choose
candidates for office.

Cont.
Popular Election of the President people could directly apportion
their electoral votes.
The creation of a new two party system gave voters clear choices
in elections.
The Rise of Third Parties gave voters additional choices for
president.
Popular Campaigning to appeal to new common man voters
politicians had to interact with them. People became much more
familiar with their candidate.

The Spoils System

Election winners would give government jobs to their supporters.
Had several effects
Rotated new people into office
Kept political parties in power
Showed that a common man could have a job in government

Negative people appointed to office were sometime

incompetent.

The Election of 1824

Low voter turnout
Jackson WINs the popular vote BUT,

Did not have the majority of electoral votes.

So the election is given the House of Representatives.
Other Candidates drop out, the election comes down to Adams and Jackson
John Quincy Adams wins.

The Adams-Clay Scandal

Henry Clay was the Speaker of the House and supported Adams over Jackson.
His influence helped Adams win the House of Representatives vote.
After Adams becomes president, he appointed Clay as Secretary of State.
Jackson accuses them of a corrupt bargain.

The Election of 1828

Unlike the election of 1824, this time Jackson takes revenge.
Voter turnout is extremely high.
Many states have expanded their suffrage requirements and many more common people now
have the right to vote.
Mudslinging is vicious and common.
The Coffin Handbills in particular accused Jackson of being uneducated, a murderer and accused his wife of
being an adulteress.
By the time of the election, the one party Republicans have divided into:
National Republicans
Democratic Party

Electoral Vote:
Jackson, 178 - Wins the South and West
Adams, 83 - Wins the North East

The Election of 1828