Lesson 1: Jackson Wins the Presidency

Key Idea

In the early 1800s, American democracy expanded. Many states dropped the rule that a man had to own property to vote. This change gave the franchise, or the right to vote, to millions of working-class white men for the first time.

This new group of voters was drawn to Andrew Jackson. Supporters presented him as a "common man" from the western frontier, not a wealthy politician from the East. His popular appeal helped him win the presidency in 1828, signaling a major shift in American politics.

Key Idea

In the 1824 presidential election, no candidate secured an electoral majority. Although Andrew Jackson won the most popular votes, the House of Representatives had to decide the outcome.

Speaker of the House Henry Clay, another candidate, used his influence to help John Quincy Adams win. After his victory, President Adams appointed Clay as his Secretary of State.

Key Idea

The bitter 1824 election split the old Democratic-Republican party. Andrew Jackson's supporters formed the new Democratic Party, which appealed to farmers, workers, and the "common man." Supporters of John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay organized as the National Republicans, who favored a stronger federal government and economic development.

This split introduced a new, aggressive style of campaigning for the 1828 election. For the first time, parties used rallies, slogans, and parades to reach a wider audience of voters. They also engaged in mudslinging, using personal attacks and insults to damage their opponent's reputation.

Key Idea

Andrew Jackson's victory in 1828 represented more than just a new president. It signaled the rise of a new political philosophy known as Jacksonian Democracy. This movement celebrated the political power of ordinary working people, especially farmers and laborers from the South and West.

This new political era also shifted power away from the established East Coast elites. A central belief of this movement was the need for a stronger presidency. Jackson argued the president should act as a direct representative of the common people, using his authority to challenge other branches of government.