ID: Election of 1828
When: November 1828
Who:
- Andrew Jackson: Democratic candidate, military hero, and popular figure.
- John Quincy Adams: Incumbent President, son of John Adams, and opponent of Jackson’s populist style.
- Henry Clay: Former Speaker of the House, candidate for President, and instrumental in the “corrupt bargain” of 1824.
What:
A highly contested presidential election marked by intense campaigning and mudslinging. Jackson emerged victorious with a landslide victory.
Impact:
- Rise of the Second Party System: The election solidified the emergence of two major political parties, the Democrats and the Whigs, with Jackson as the leader of the Democrats.
- Expansion of suffrage: Jackson’s victory signified the rise of a more democratic and populist politics, expanding suffrage to more white men and increasing voter participation.
- Rise of sectionalism : Jackson’s election and presidency fueled sectional tensions between the North and South, particularly over issues like tariffs and slavery.
- “Era of the Common Man”: Jackson’s presidency ushered in an era of populist politics, favoring the interests of the “common man” over the elite.
- Spoils System: Jackson’s practice of rewarding his political supporters with government positions, known as the “Spoils System,” became a defining feature of his presidency.