Jacksonian Democracy 11 1 Election of 1824 Four

Jacksonian Democracy 11. 1

Election of 1824 • Four Republican Candidates – William H. Crawford – Andrew Jackson – Henry Clay • Speaker of the House – John Quincy Adams

No Clear Winner • Jackson won popular vote • No candidate won majority • Rule says House chooses

Striking a Bargain • Clay and Adams unite to defeat Jackson – Clay used influence as Speaker of the House – Adams elected President – Clay appointed as Secretary of State • “Corrupt Bargain”

Adams Presidency • Wanted to make improvements – Improve roads and waterways – Build a national university – Support scientific research • Opponents felt government shouldn’t spend taxpayers money on such things

The Election of 1828 • Two parties – Democratic Republicans • Support Jackson • State’s Rights • Limited central government – National Republicans • Support Adams • Strong central government • Mudslinging • Jackson victory

Jackson as President • Patriot, self-made man, war hero • “Old Hickory” • Equal protection and equal benefits – More (white men) voting than ever before

Spoils System • Democrats disturbed by government bureaucracy – Wanted to open government jobs to all types of people – Jackson fired federal workers and replaced with his friends

Electoral College • Caucus replaced with nominating conventions

The Tariff Debate • High tariff on European goods – Supported by Northeastern factory owners – Opposed by Southern plantation owners • John C. Calhoun – States have the right to nullify a federal law if it is against state interests • Daniel Webster • Nullification would destroy the union

Andrew Jackson • Supported Webster’s views • SC passed the Nullification Act – Would not pay high tariffs – Threatened to secede • Tariff gradually lowered, – Passed Force Bill • Allows military force to enforce acts of congress • SC accepted tariff, but nullified Force Bill