The People s President ANDREW JACKSON

The People s President ANDREW JACKSON

Election of 1824 Jacksonian Democracy Andrew Jackson- The People s President The People s President New Political Era

Election of 1824 In the Presidential election of 1824 Andrew Jackson ran against John Quincy Adams (the son of John Adams). 1. Jackson won the most Popular votes (votes by the people of the U.S.), but he did not win the majority of Electoral votes (votes by the Electoral College) The Constitution says that if no person wins a majority of electoral votes, the House of Representatives must choose the president. 2. The House of Representatives voted for Adams who became the new President.

Adams and Jackson were both Democratic- Republicans but the 1824 election caused them to become bitter enemies. 3. Jackson claimed to represent the common man. He said Adams represented a group of privileged, wealthy Easterners. 4. Eventually the party split with the Democrats supporting Jackson and the National Republicans supporting Adams. 5. Jackson spent the next 4 years holding rallies, parades and parties to convince people he was just like them

Changes that Led to Jackson s Election Jacksonian Democracy 1. Expanded suffrage-states eliminated the requirement that voters own property, so that most white males over 21 could now vote. 2. Political parties began nominating their choice for President. 3. New campaign methods emerged. Candidates held dinners, rallies, and public meetings. Jackson invited ordinary people to his inauguration. 4. Spreading political power to all the people and ensuring majority rule.

In the election of 1828, Jackson crusaded against control of the government by the wealthy. He promised to look out for the interests of common people. Politics became an activity of ordinary citizens. Jackson hated the wealthy, privileged bankers, investors and merchants of the Northeast.

The People s President 1. Humble background He was seen as an American success story. Raised poor but became successful and well off. His father died before he was born and he was raised on a frontier farm. At 13, he joined the militia to fight the British with his older brother. He was captured and was beaten by a British officer for refusing to shine his shoes. He & his brother became ill with smallpox and his brother died. His mother died nursing him back to health.

By the time Jackson ran for President, more men were able to vote. 2. Suffrage had been expanded to include more than just the rich and educated. Now, your average person was voting. This changed everything

The People s President 3. War Hero-He was a national war hero. He defeated the British in the War of 1812 at the Battle of New Orleans even though his troops were outnumbered. 4. From the West -He was the first president not from an aristocratic Massachusetts or Virginia family and the first from the West. 5. People felt he was one of them.

New Political Era 1. He replaced many government officials with his supporters. This is called the Spoils System giving government jobs to members of the president s party. He said it broke up the previous group s hold on the government. 2. As President, he faced three major issues: a) Native Americans b) Rights of states c) Role of the Bank of the United States 3. Jackson had promised to reform government. He believed in limited central government, but with a strong president.

Review 1. What does the term Spoils System mean? 2. Name the 3 major issues that Jackson would face as President. 3. Explain how expanded suffrage helped get Jackson elected as President.

Election of 1824 1. Jackson won the most Popular votes but he did not win the majority of Electoral votes 2.The House of Representatives voted for Adams who became the new President 3.Jackson claimed to represent the common man 4.Party split. The People s President 1. Humble background American success story. 2.War Hero-Battle of New Orleans 2. From the West -first from the West. 3. People felt he was one of them. Andrew Jackson- The People s President Jacksonian Democracy 1. Jacksonian democracy= Spreading political power to all the people and ensuring majority rule. 2.Expanded Suffrage 3. Jackson won and it was seen as a victory for common people. New Political Era 1. Spoils System giving government jobs to members of the president s party 2.Faced three major issues: a) Native Americans b) Rights of states c) role of the Bank of the United States

Review 1. What does the term Spoils System mean? Giving government jobs to members of the president s party 2. Name the 3 major issues that Jackson would face as President. Native Americans Rights of States Role of Banks

3. Explain how expanded suffrage helped get Jackson elected as President. More men were able to vote. Not just the rich and powerful so a common man was able to be elected.