11/4/25: lecture

Reminder of the elections that occurred in 1824, marking a significant point in American politics.
President at the time: John Quincy Adams.

The four main candidates in the election included:
- John Quincy Adams (Secretary of State)
- Andrew Jackson (Tennessee)
- Henry Clay (Kentucky)
- William Crawford (Virginia)
Importance of the pie chart representation to visualize how the candidates fared.

No candidate secured over 50% of the electoral votes, leading to the House of Representatives deciding the election.
Outcome: John Quincy Adams was chosen as president despite not winning the popular vote or the electoral vote.
Controversy surrounding Adams appointing Henry Clay as Secretary of State—allegations of a "corrupt bargain" emerged.

Andrew Jackson and his supporters were outraged that their candidate had outperformed Adams in popular votes yet lost the presidency.
John Quincy Adams was seen as overshadowed by the allegations of corruption, impacting his presidency and legacy.
He was noted as one of only two U.S. presidents (with his father, John Adams) to serve a single term without reelection.

Context: Joseph Quincy Adams was involved in the creation of infrastructure improvements, advancing his ideas of the American system, although without a memorable impact establishing a strong presidential legacy.
John Adams's later years were spent in Massachusetts, reflecting on his son's presidency. Adams observed the United States' fiftieth anniversary on July 4, 1826.

On July 4, 1826, both John Adams (90 years old) and Thomas Jefferson (83 years old) died on the same day, coinciding with the celebration of the Declaration of Independence.
The letters exchanged between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson reveal a reconciliation in their relationships, showcasing an affectionate correspondence between two elder statesmen.

Adams did not evoke strong loyalty from the American public; he was an American system proponent promoting infrastructure improvements but was often seen with a reliability issue.
National Republicans, represented by John Quincy Adams, as opposed to a new party structure evolving under Jackson's influence.

The Democratic Party was formed in the 1820s under Andrew Jackson based on states’ rights principles, diverging from Adams' policies.
The Democratic Party emphasized a strict interpretation of the Constitution advocating for limited federal power and control, contrasting sharply with the American system of government.

Jackson's Democratic ideals inadvertently supported the institution of slavery, becoming a crucial aspect of state rights activism.
Andrew Jackson had significant investments in slavery, showcasing the social and economic complexity of his presidency upholding the interests of white Southerners.

Andrew Jackson faced John Quincy Adams again in the 1828 election, which was characterized by a dramatic shift in voter sentiment against Adams.

Jackson secured a decisive victory, winning the popular vote and a strong majority in the Electoral College (178 votes).
Jackson run a campaign against corruption, capitalizing on the narrative that he was wrongfully denied the presidency in 1824.

Adams ran a negative campaign focusing on Jackson's personal life, trying to portray him unfavorably, especially regarding his wife Rachel's divorce.
Rachel Jackson was targeted negatively concerning her previous marriage, being painted as a bigamist running contrary to societal morals, leading to public sympathy for Jackson.
Rachel Jackson passed away shortly before Jackson's inauguration in 1829, leaving him in a bitter emotional state regarding the political attacks against her.

Jackson's presidential terms were marked by controversial policies, notably concerning Native American removal and tariffs.

The Indian Removal Act of 1830 initiated the forced relocation of Native Americans from their ancestral lands east of the Mississippi to designated Indian Territory in Oklahoma, leading to the traumatic "Trail of Tears."

The act led to severe hardships for the Indian population, with many suffering from exposure, disease, and starvation during the forced marches.
The American public largely supported Jackson’s policies leading to Native American removals despite protests over the ethics of such decisions.

Triggered by the Tariff of 1828, labeled the "Tariff of Abominations," leading to a significant rift with states like South Carolina advocating for nullification as a legal principle rooted in states' rights.
Nullification refers to the idea that states could invalidate federal laws they deemed unconstitutional, a principle rooted in the Tenth Amendment.

Jackson reacted to the nullification by authorizing a Force Bill to impose tariffs in South Carolina; however, he also negotiated a reduction of tariffs to diffuse tensions.
The situation highlighted Jackson's complex political positioning but exhibited his commitment to maintaining federal authority.

Jackson's administration was marked by conflict regarding the Second Bank of the United States, leading to policies aimed at dismantling it through pulling federal funds from the bank.
The approach led to economic turmoil as irresponsible distribution of federal funds heightened instability in the financial sector, culminating in widespread criticism of Jackson's handling of the economy.

Jackson is complex as a combined representation of states’ rights and a democratically elected president while leading significant push towards increasing democracy, albeit through controversial and damaging policies.
Legislative frameworks, relationship tensions, and power struggles during his administration continue to shape modern understanding of political dynamics and structures within the United States government.