The Rise of Jacksonian Democracy and the Election of 1824

There was a significant move in American history away from the concept of an aristocracy toward the idea that all citizens should have a say in the government.
Modern political perceptions often prioritize relatability. For instance, when comparing George Washington to a modern president like President Obama, there is a stark difference in perception.
During the campaigns between President Obama and Mitt Romney, a popular metric for voters was the "who would you rather have a beer with?" test.
Voters generally prefer a candidate who does not seem "out of touch." Even if candidates are very wealthy, they are often perceived as personable based on how they talk, dress, and act.
Examples mention that celebrities like Adam Sandler might be perceived as having this personable quality sought in modern candidates.

Sectionalism is defined as the idea that different regions have distinct points of view, particularly regarding economics, slavery, and government.
Traditionally, this was a matter of the North versus the South.
In the period discussed, the West began to play a significant role in sectionalism for the first time.
For the West to gain real political power, it had to pair itself with another section (North or South).

The "Old Politician" was typically: - A wealthy landowner. - Someone who might or might not have had a military background.
The "New Politician" emerged with traits valued by the common people: - A humble background (e.g., Andrew Jackson was an orphan). - Military experience (notably Andrew Jackson and Henry Harrison, who were both military generals). - A "rugged" persona influenced by the Western frontier.
Davy Crockett serves as a prime example of this transition: - He was a famous congressman and big outdoorsman. - He was allegedly elected based on the fact that he once killed a bear and was a "really good shot." - He was present at the Alamo and spoke like a "common guy." - He eventually left politics because of his frustration with the system.

Jeffersonian Democracy: - Advocated for a small, limited federal government. - Focused on states' rights.
Jacksonian Democracy: - Believed that whoever does the governing needs to be "of the people." - Promoted the view that government jobs should be simple enough for anyone to perform, whether they were born in a log cabin or a mansion.

In this era of "New Democracy," states began to move away from property qualifications for voting.
This trend is known as "Universal Manhood Suffrage," where all free white men were granted the right to vote.
State constitutions were rewritten to remove property ownership as a prerequisite for voting.
The concept of egalitarianism (equalizing social classes) was a driving force, stemming from Revolutionary ideas that one did not need to be royalty or wealthy to rule.
Economic influences: - The expansion of the market economy involved more people in national and international trade. - This increased public interest in government policies like tariffs and taxes. - Economic panics influenced people to vote for candidates who shared their economic views. - The Missouri Compromise also played a significant role in changing political alignments.

Strong political parties began to emerge.
The Jeffersonian Republicans lasted through the term of John Quincy Adams, at which point the period of one-party rule ended.
Campaigning tactics evolved to include: - Designing banners and buttons. - Hosting barbecues.
There was an emerging view that political conflict is healthy and that disagreement should not be feared.
The speaker contrasts this with the modern political climate, which is described as "demolition derby" politics: - Focus has shifted from issues to "hating the other side" or "taking out the opponent." - Politics is now often treated like a game focused solely on winning rather than making things better. - The use of social media (e.g., White House TikToks) is mentioned as a modern example of this shift away from substantive governance.

The painting is representative of Jacksonian Democracy.
Visual details noted: - A town hall meeting setting with many people lining up to vote. - Children playing on the ground and dogs present. - A mix of attire: some people are dressed casually, while one man in a blue jacket is formal. - Characters include a man leaning back in his chair asleep and a man who appears sad or ideologically defeated. - One man appears collapsed/unconscious and is being held up by others to vote.
Discussion of Symbolism: - Positive interpretation: Bright colors and people talking can suggest an inclusive, friendly democratic process. - Negative interpretation: The presence of "thunderheads" or storm clouds in the background suggests trouble. - Chaos and Corruption: The painting depicts intoxicated voters who may not know what is happening. The speaker mentions historical corruption where voters might be brought in several times, sometimes shaving their hair to vote again.

Candidates in the Election of $1824$ : - Andrew Jackson - John Quincy Adams - Henry Clay (Speaker of the House) - William H. Crawford
Election Results: - Andrew Jackson led the popular vote by nearly $50,000$ votes. - Andrew Jackson won the most electoral college votes but did not reach the required majority.
The Constitutional Process: - Since no candidate won a majority in the Electoral College, the election was sent to the House of Representatives. - Henry Clay, being the Speaker of the House, was in a position of power to influence the outcome but technically removed himself from the ballot as he was the fourth-place finisher.
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