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The Rise Of Mass Democracy

The Rise of a Mass Democracy

1824-1840



The "Corrupt Bargain" of 1824

There were 4 main "Republican" candidates in the election of 1824: Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, William Crawford, and Henry Clay.

No candidate won the majority of the electoral votes, so, according to the Constitution, the House of Representatives had to choose the winner. Henry Clay, the Speaker of the House, was thus eliminated although he did have much say in who became president. Clay convinced the House to elect John Quincy Adams as president. Adams agreed to make Clay the Secretary of State for getting him into office. Much of the public felt that a "corrupt bargain" had taken place because Andrew Jackson had received the popular vote.



A Yankee Misfit in the White House

John Quincy Adams was a strong nationalist and he supported the building of national roads and canals. He also supported education.



Going "Whole Hog" for Jackson in 1828

Before the election of 1824, two parties had formed: National Republicans and Democratic-Republicans. Adams and Clay were the figures of the National Republicans and Jackson was with the Democratic-Republicans.

Andrew Jackson beat Adams to win the election of 1828. The majority of his support came from the South, while Adams's support came from the North.



"Old Hickory" as President

Jackson was the first president from the West and 2nd without a college education.



The Spoils System

When the Democrats rose to power in the White House, they replaced most of the people in offices with their own people (the common man). These people were illiterate and incompetent. This system of rewarding political supporters with jobs in the government was known as the "spoils system."



The Tricky "Tariff of Abominations"

In 1824, Congress increased the general tariff significantly.

The Tariff of 1828- called the "Black Tariff" or the "Tariff of Abominations"; also called the "Yankee...