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In the election of 1824, Jackson had won the popular vote, but because there were four major candidates, no one received a majority of electoral votes. Jackson had 99 to John Quincy Adams’s 84, with 78 electoral votes given to the other two candidates. However, when the vote went to the House of Representatives, under electoral law, John Adams got the most votes and became president.
In the election of 1824, Jackson had won the popular vote, but because there were four major candidates, no one received a majority of electoral votes. Jackson had 99 to John Quincy Adams’s 84, with 78 electoral votes given to the other two candidates. However, when the vote went to the House of Representatives, under electoral law, John Adams got the most votes and became president.
But in 1828, Jackson was not to be denied. In the Election of 1828 “J. Q. Adams who can write” squared off against “Andy Jackson who can fight” one of the most bitter campaigns in American history. Jackson’s followers charged that Adams was an “aristocrat” who had obtained office as a result of a “corrupt bargain” (1824 shady election) and that Adams had used public funds to buy personal luxuries and installed gaming tables in the White House. They even charged that Mrs. Adams had been born out of wedlock.
But in 1828, Jackson was not to be denied. In the Election of 1828 “J. Q. Adams who can write” squared off against “Andy Jackson who can fight” one of the most bitter campaigns in American history. Jackson’s followers charged that Adams was an “aristocrat” who had obtained office as a result of a “corrupt bargain” (1824 shady election) and that Adams had used public funds to buy personal luxuries and installed gaming tables in the White House. They even charged that Mrs. Adams had been born out of wedlock.
Adams’s supporters countered by digging up an old story that Jackson had begun living with his wife before she was legally divorced from her first husband (which was technically true, although neither Jackson nor his wife Rachel knew her first husband was still living). They called General Jackson a slave trader, a gambler, and a backwoods buffoon who could not spell more than one word out of four correctly. One Philadelphia editor published a handbill picturing the coffins of 12 men allegedly murdered by Jackson in numerous duels.
Adams’s supporters countered by digging up an old story that Jackson had begun living with his wife before she was legally divorced from her first husband (which was technically true, although neither Jackson nor his wife Rachel knew her first husband was still living). They called General Jackson a slave trader, a gambler, and a backwoods buffoon who could not spell more than one word out of four correctly. One Philadelphia editor published a handbill picturing the coffins of 12 men allegedly murdered by Jackson in numerous duels.
The Jackson campaign in 1828 was the first campaign using professional political organizations. Skilled political organizers organized mass rallies, parades, barbecues, and erected hickory poles, Jackson’s symbol. For the first time in American history, a presidential election was the focus of public attention, and voter participation increased dramatically. Twice as many voters cast ballots in the election of 1828 as in 1824, four times as many as in 1820 (200% jump).
The Jackson campaign in 1828 was the first campaign using professional political organizations. Skilled political organizers organized mass rallies, parades, barbecues, and erected hickory poles, Jackson’s symbol. For the first time in American history, a presidential election was the focus of public attention, and voter participation increased dramatically. Twice as many voters cast ballots in the election of 1828 as in 1824, four times as many as in 1820 (200% jump).
Jackson’s supporters called the vote a victory for the “farmers and mechanics of the country” over the “rich and well born” signaling the beginning of a new democratic age. Jackson portrayed himself like a man of the people a "common man". In this way, Jackson was able to connect with the majority of the NEW VOTERS. Most states had eliminated property ownership as a qualification for voting, and this meant that hundreds of thousands of men, few of whom were wealthy, voted in 1828 for the first time—the "common man" could finally vote!
Jackson’s supporters called the vote a victory for the “farmers and mechanics of the country” over the “rich and well born” signaling the beginning of a new democratic age. Jackson portrayed himself like a man of the people a "common man". In this way, Jackson was able to connect with the majority of the NEW VOTERS. Most states had eliminated property ownership as a qualification for voting, and this meant that hundreds of thousands of men, few of whom were wealthy, voted in 1828 for the first time—the "common man" could finally vote!
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