Chapter 10

A Changing Nation

Section 3: The Age of Jackson

Section 3 Essential Question

How did the people gain more power during the Age of Jackson?

Section 3: The Age of Jackson

Andrew Jackson served two terms as President, from 1829 to 1837. By the time he became President he was a very wealthy man.

Jackson stood for the idea that ordinary people should take part in American political life.

Jackson’s Opponents in 1824Jackson’s Opponents in 1824Jackson’s Opponents in 1824Jackson’s Opponents in 1824

Henry ClayHenry Clay[KY][KY]

John Quincy John Quincy AdamsAdams[MA][MA]

John C. John C. CalhounCalhoun

[SC][SC]

William H. CrawfordWilliam H. Crawford[GA][GA]

Section 3: The Age of Jackson

Election of 1824 In the election of 1824, Jackson won the

popular vote Andrew Jackson had more electoral votes

But he did not have a majority of the electoral votes

According to the Constitution, the House of Reps. had to decide between Adams and Jackson

Speaker of the house – Henry Clay He had great influence

Told his supporters to vote for Adams They did – Adams becomes president

Results of the 1824 ElectionResults of the 1824 ElectionResults of the 1824 ElectionResults of the 1824 Election

AA “ “Corrupt Corrupt BargainBargain??””

AA “ “Corrupt Corrupt BargainBargain??””

Why did Jackson’s supporters claim there had been a “corrupt bargain” in the election of 1824?

Henry Clay threw his support to John Quincy Adams. Then, as President, Adams appointed Clay as his secretary of state.

Section 3: The Age of Jackson

Jackson’s Reaction Jackson and his followers were furious They claimed the 2 men had made a ‘corrupt bargain’

Clay was named Adams’ secretary of state….

Presidency of J.Q. Adams Adams accomplished little in 4 years

Stigma of the corrupt bargain Not politically savvy

Attempted to get a national program running Build roads and canals A high tariff on imports

“Clay’s American Plan” He never won the trust of the people though As a result, he served only one term

Section 3: The Age of Jackson

A New Era in Politics Jackson’s defeat was the beginning of a new era in politics.

By 1874 more people were able to vote Most states had dropped the property requirement If you were a white male, you could vote and hold office Women, enslaved African Americans, and in most states free

African Americans could not vote Democracy in the Age of Jackson

Jackson believed that rich and poor alike should be a part of government

He opposed special privileges for the wealthy He did not trust government He was also very suspicious of banks – which he believed favored

the rich

Which groups did not benefit from increased suffrage in the United States?

All women, all enslaved African American men, most free African American men.

Section 3: The Age of Jackson

New Political Parties During the 1824 election, the Republican Party split.

Supporters for Adams were called National Republicans and supports for Jackson were called Democrats.

NR party formed in 1828 Died shortly after

Whigs formed in 1836 – they were anti-jackson Whigs and Democrats were the two parties until 1852

Section 3: The Age of Jackson

New Political Parties (cont) New ways of doing things

Presidential candidates had been chosen by a Caucus Meeting of members of a political party

Now they were chosen by Nominating Conventions Large meetings of party delegates to choose

candidates Opened the process to many more people Made things more democratic

The “Common The “Common Man’s”Man’s”

Presidential Presidential CandidateCandidate

The “Common The “Common Man’s”Man’s”

Presidential Presidential CandidateCandidate

Campaigning “on the Stump”Campaigning “on the Stump”Campaigning “on the Stump”Campaigning “on the Stump”

Section 3: The Age of Jackson

Jackson becomes President 3x as many people voted in 1828 than in 1824 Jackson won the presidency easily

The election did show some sectionalism forming Voters in different parts of the country were

more likely to vote for one candidate than another

1828 Election Results1828 Election Results1828 Election Results1828 Election Results

Section 3: The Age of Jackson

Jackson becomes President (cont) Jackson’s Inauguration

Jackson’s was a victory for the ‘common man’ His inauguration showed this plainly

20,000+ people attended from all walks of life Many did not behave well

More like a huge party than a regal event Critics dubbed Jackson's election as the ‘reign

of king mob’

The Reign of “King Mob”The Reign of “King Mob”The Reign of “King Mob”The Reign of “King Mob”

Section 3: The Age of Jackson The Spoils System Once in office, Jackson replaced some government

officials with his own supporters. One of his supports coined the term “To the victor

belongs the spoils” The spoils system is the practice of rewarding

government jobs to loyal supporters

Section 3: The Age of Jackson The Spoils System (cont)

Jackson was no different than any other president All of them had replaced some government

officials Jackson only replaced 20%

Difference was that Jackson openly defended his decisions

He claimed putting new people into these jobs furthered democracy

Jackson as Satan Dangles the Spoils Jackson as Satan Dangles the Spoils of Victory over his Supportersof Victory over his Supporters

Jackson as Satan Dangles the Spoils Jackson as Satan Dangles the Spoils of Victory over his Supportersof Victory over his Supporters

How did Andrew Jackson justify the spoils system?

He believed that putting new people into government jobs furthered democracy.

Section 3 Essential Question

How did the people gain more power during the Age of Jackson?

During Andrew Jackson’s presidency, a growing spirit of democracy resulted in more people being allowed to vote.