Election of 1824

• Monroe's Presidency

  • Elected in 1816, reelected in 1820.

  • Won all but one electoral vote in 1820, referred to as the "Era of Good Feelings."

Sectionalism and the Election of 1824

• Rise of sectionalism observed in the election.

• New England supported John Quincy Adams.

• The South supported John C. Calhoun.

• The West supported Henry Clay from Kentucky and Andrew Jackson.

• Henry Clay's American System

  • Proposed federal investment in infrastructure like roads and canals.

  • Southerners opposed financing Northern improvements while they had infrastructure needs.

Candidates in the Election of 1824

• John Quincy Adams:

  • Serving as Monroe’s Secretary of State, he was viewed as a favorite son of New England.

• John C. Calhoun:

  • Initially a candidate from the South, he dropped out early, later positioning himself for vice presidency.

• Henry Clay:

  • Sought the presidency for a decade but later withdrew; significant influence in the House of Representatives.

• William Crawford:

  • Early favorite but suffered from illness (reported to have undergone bloodletting).

• Andrew Jackson:

  • Late entry; portrayed himself as an outsider promising to clean Washington's corruption.

Election Results

• Popular Vote:

  • Andrew Jackson: 41%

  • John Quincy Adams: 31%

  • Henry Clay: 13%

  • William Crawford: 11%

• Electoral College:

  • Jackson: 99, Adams: 84, Crawford: 41, Clay: 37

• No candidate achieved a majority, resulting in the election being decided in the House of Representatives.

House of Representatives Decision

• Jackson, Adams, and Crawford were the only candidates considered.

• Clay, finishing behind Crawford, influenced leaders to support Adams.

• Clay became Secretary of State under Adams, raising concerns of a corrupt bargain.

Jackson's Reaction and 1828 Campaign

• The announcement was deemed to start campaigning for the next election.

• Van Buren saw a need for a new political party reflecting Jacksonian principles, forming the Democratic-Republicans, which evolved into the modern Democratic Party.

The 1828 Election Campaign

• Character Assassination Tactics

  • National Republicans criticized Jackson's character (murderer, drunkard, gambler).

  • They highlighted the controversy surrounding Jackson's wife, Rachel's past marriage and divorce.

  • Jackson supporters accused Adams of unseemly behavior while in office.

• Voter Mobilization:

  • Election shrouded in accusations, generating high voter turnout and vigorous public excitement.

• Final Popular Vote:

  • Jackson: 56%

  • Adams: limited support primarily confined to New England and Delaware.

Jacksonian Democracy and Presidential Actions

• Emergence as an aggressive president who utilized veto power heavily and positioned the executive branch above Congress.

• Focus on reducing federal powers by targeting the National Bank and enforcing the Indian Removal Act.

Re-Election and Vice Presidential Dynamics

• Jackson re-elected in 1832 with John C. Calhoun as Vice President.

• Tensions between Calhoun and supporters of Martin Van Buren emerged, particularly over tariffs.

Tariff Controversies

• Debate over public land sales affected sectional interests; Northern industrialists vs. Western farmers.

• The notable Hayne-Webster debate focused on states' rights and the concept of nullification.

Nullification Crisis

• 1832: South Carolina passes ordinance of nullification against tariffs, rejected by Jackson.

• Jackson's strong opposition to nullification showcased his views of national unity over state rights.

• Compromise Tariff of 1833, spearheaded by Henry Clay, reduced tariff rates and defused South Carolina’s resistance.

Transition to Martin Van Buren’s Presidency

• Van Buren inherits an economic downturn, perceived failure of his policies leading to a loss in subsequent elections.

Election of 1840

• Campaign portrayed the comparison between Van Buren and William Henry Harrison.

• Harrison depicted as a man of the people with simple charms (log cabin), leading to his election.

• Harrison dies shortly after taking office; John Tyler assumes the presidency.

Aftermath of Harrison's Presidency

• Tyler, a Southern Democrat, acted independently of Whig leadership, causing friction within the party.

Summary of Important Figures

• John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, John C. Calhoun, Henry Clay, Martin Van Buren, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, and their roles and ideological beliefs.

Conclusion

• Continued evolution of political parties and voter engagement framing the American political landscape from 1824 through 1840, impacting future legislation and state interactions.