Definitive Study Notes on the Election and Presidency of John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson

Election of 1824

  • Recap of the election outcome and context.

    • Multiple candidates resulted in split votes.

    • Andrew Jackson won the popular vote but not the majority of the Electoral College.

    • Henry Clay dropped out and supported John Quincy Adams.

    • This support allowed Adams to win the presidency, resulting in Jackson feeling betrayed.

Candidate Breakdown

  • Candidates involved in the election included:

    • John Quincy Adams (Democratic Republican)

    • Andrew Jackson (Whig)

    • John C. Calhoun (Democratic Republican)

    • William H. Crawford (Democratic Republican)

    • Henry Clay (Democratic Republican)

  • Note that Federalists had lost influence by this point.

Electoral College Insights

  • Andrew Jackson did not secure the required majority in the Electoral College.

  • Clarification about the Electoral College requirements:

    • A candidate needs to receive a majority of electoral votes (not two-thirds as discussed in class).

Corruption Allegations

  • Referencing the concept of the "corrupt bargain" where deals were perceived to be made behind closed doors.

    • Andrew Jackson's response to the electoral outcome likened him to "the Judas of the West."

  • Comparison of historical events and discussions regarding the 2024 election.

    • Discussion of RFK Jr.'s third-party candidacy and perceived corrupt bargains associated with candidate withdrawals and political promises.

Presidency of John Quincy Adams

  • Adams became president but was viewed as weak and criticized for his alignment with Hamiltonian principles, which promoted strong federal power.

    • His opponents alleged he misused federal powers to benefit commercial interests.

  • Adams lacked necessary political skills and attempted to appease opposition by appointing members from rival parties, ultimately undermining his presidency.

Economic Developments (1815-1840)

  • Overview of reshaping U.S. economy post-1815:

    • Dominant form of transportation was by water due to lack of transcontinental railroads.

    • Networks of transportation (roads, canals, steamboats, railroads) lowered travel costs and increased speed.

  • Importance of competition in reducing travel expenses.

State Support for Transportation

  • State governments provided subsidies to encourage the building of transportation networks.

  • Government investments in transportation aimed to boost commerce and trade.

Steamboats Transformation

  • Introduction of Robert Fulton's steamboat "Claremont" in 1807 revolutionized water travel on rivers.

  • Steamboats had disadvantages:

    • Vulnerable to boiler explosions, which caused fatalities.

    • Ran on wood, contributing to deforestation and air pollution.

Innovation through Canals

  • Canals allowed for cheaper transport of heavier loads:

    • Considered man-made waterways that improved cargo transportation options compared to overland options.

Labor Relations Post-1815

  • The rise of factory work created numerous wage-earning jobs, influenced by Great Britain's industrialization.

  • American factories began to manufacture textiles utilizing Southern cotton, harvested largely by enslaved labor.

Lowell, Massachusetts

  • Entrepreneurs founded Lowell to centralize textile production with a predominantly female workforce.

    • Young women were hired due to low wages and lack of other employment opportunities.

    • By 1836, 5,000 women were employed in factories, living in highly controlled boarding houses.

Impact of Labor Conditions

  • Strikes for better wages and working conditions resulted in threats of replacement due to high turnover rates of labor.

  • Immigrant families started to replace domestic labor as labor sources in factories.

Election of 1828

  • The rematch between Andrew Jackson and John Quincy Adams emphasized character in campaign dynamics:

    • Jackson framed as the common man versus elitist Adams.

    • Mischaracterizations and attacks on both sides.

Character Politics in 1828

  • 1828 saw character scrutinized more than in previous elections:

    • John Quincy Adams portrayed as an elitist; associated with monarchy.

    • Jackson characterized negatively due to violent temper and questionable marriage history.

Jackson’s Victory

  • Jackson won decisively due to his appeal as relatable and ordinary.

  • After election, personal grief from the death of his wife impacted his presidency.

Governance of Andrew Jackson

  • Known for holding open receptions at the White House, emphasizing accessibility and hospitality.

    • These events often led to chaotic situations and property damage.

  • Composed a cabinet of loyalists excluding non-supportive factions, a practice known as the spoil system.

  • Favored limited federal government importance and strong Indian removal policies.

Indian Removal Policy

  • Jackson's presidency emphasized the need to remove Native Americans from eastern territories for American expansion.

    • Advocated the Indian Removal Act of 1830 to relocate tribes west of the Mississippi River.

Justifications for Indian Removal

  • Jackson claimed removal would protect Native Americans and help them live in a more resource-abundant environment.

  • The act led to significant land vacated for white settlement, permitting further expansion of the United States.

Controversies Surrounding Indian Policies

  • The policy was controversial, particularly among Northern women who viewed it as an additional layer of injustice for marginalized groups.

    • This mirrored the societal attitudes toward slavery and racial injustices.

Conclusion

  • Andrew Jackson’s presidency redefined party politics in the U.S., where loyalty to party overshadowed individual character and concerns for marginalized communities, representing a pivotal shift in American political dynamics.