unit 3 start

Presidential Election Overview

    • No one got enough votes to win.

    • Top candidate: 151,000 votes and 99 electoral votes.

    • Adams: 84, Clay: 37, Crawford: 41.

    • The House of Representatives chose the president.

Insider Influence in Politics

    • Clay, as Speaker of the House, had major influence.

    • Adams made a deal with Clay for support, offering him Secretary of State.

    • Jackson, who had the most votes, lost and called it a “corrupt bargain.”

John Quincy Adams' Presidency

  • Public Perception

    • Adams is perceived as educated but not an effective president, often saying unpopular things.

    • Notably states, "the president shouldn't have to worry about the will of the people."

  • Tariff of Abominations

    • Adams enacts a major tariff that negatively affects the South while benefiting the North, making him unpopular.

    • This tariff is labeled the Tariff of Abominations by those who oppose it, particularly in South Carolina.

The 1828 Election Campaign

  • Campaign Development

    • The political campaigns become better organized, involving ads and rallies for both candidates.

    • Mudslinging and personal attacks become a prominent feature of this campaign.

  • Andrew Jackson’s Campaign

    • Comes out strongly against Adams, labeling him negatively, representing a shift towards modern political tactics.

    • Jackson’s past as a duelist and reputation for violence becomes a focal point of attack against him during the campaign.

  • Adams’ Campaign Tactics

    • Adams' supporters portray Jackson as violent and dangerous, highlighting his dueling history.

    • Political cartoons illustrate Jackson's temperament and his background as a fighter.

Election Results and Inauguration

  • Jackson's Victory

    • Jackson wins the election in 1828 with 68% of the electoral vote, largely supported by rural areas.

  • Inauguration Day

    • Jackson’s inauguration sees an unprecedented public turnout, marking a change in presidential receptions.

    • Many of his supporters (referred to derogatorily as white trash by elites) show up, leading to chaotic celebrations.

    • Jackson is overwhelmed by the crowd and has to be smuggled out to escape the public.

Transition to the Age of the Common Man

  • Shift in Political Dynamics

    • Politics begins to cater more directly to the common man rather than educated elites.

    • Election festivities are filled with food and alcohol to attract voters and create engagement.

  • Rise of Populist Figures

    • Figures like Davy Crockett utilize storytelling to connect with the public and gain influence, utilizing fabricated tales to enhance their appeal.

Andrew Jackson’s Administration Changes

  • Spoils System

    • Jackson fires many individuals in government, replacing them with his supporters, referred to as the Spoils System.

    • Critics question the qualifications of those hired under this system.

  • Political Strategies of the Time

    • Jackson's approach is likened to modern populist movements, highlighting a blend between celebrity and presidency.

Relationship Between Jackson and His Vice Presidents

  • John Calhoun vs. Martin Van Buren

    • Calhoun represents Southern elite interests, while Van Buren is viewed as a political strategist from New York aiming to gain Northern support.

    • Tensions rise between Jackson and Calhoun due to conflicting interests and personalities.

  • Personal Conflict with Peggy Eaton

    • Mrs. Peggy Eaton is ostracized by Washington society, creating friction between Jackson and Calhoun, eventually disrupting their working relationship.

Native American Policy Under Jackson

  • Indian Removal Act

    • The removal of Native American tribes is a significant focus of Jackson's administration, framed as necessary for progress.

    • Civilized Tribes include the Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Seminole.

  • Self-Determination vs. Forced Removal

    • Native tribes had assimilated into American culture, only to be forcibly removed to lands west of the Mississippi.

    • Jackson personally considered the removal as benevolent, believing he was assisting tribes by giving them land in less populated areas.

Native American Challenges and Resistance

  • Legal Rights of Tribes

    • The Cherokee successfully sue several times against the state of Georgia, winning cases that affirm their rights, only to be ignored by Jackson during enforcement.

  • Seminole Resistance

    • Unlike others, the Seminoles resist removal through armed conflict, leading to the Seminole Wars.

Conclusion of Political Landscape Shifts

  • Conflict and Compromise

    • The conflicts surrounding tariffs and states' rights foreshadow tensions that lead to later sectional conflicts, setting the stage for the Civil War.

    • Henry Clay emerges as a key figure attempting to mediate and provide compromise solutions amid growing tensions between regional interests.