The 1828 election is one of the nastiest in U.S. history, with Andrew Jackson seeking revenge against the incumbent president, John Quincy Adams. Let’s delve into the details.
Controversial Finish
In the 1824 election, none of the four candidates—Andrew Jackson, William Crawford, Henry Clay, and John Quincy Adams—secured a majority of electoral votes. The decision was thrown to the House of Representatives, which chose John Quincy Adams as president despite Jackson having the most electoral and popular votes.
Many believed a “Corrupt Bargain” was struck between Clay and Adams. After Adams was elected, Clay became Secretary of State—a position historically held by those who later became president. This arrangement fueled anger, particularly from Jackson, who was endorsed by the Tennessee legislature to run again in 1828.
The Birth of the Democratic Party
Jackson’s supporters, including many poor and middle-class white voters, formed what would become the Democratic Party. Initially, the Democrats supported reducing centralized banking, limiting government, promoting states’ rights, and supporting slavery. The party emerged from opposition to what Jackson and New York political figure Martin Van Buren saw as corrupt elites.
John Quincy Adams’ Presidency
Adams’ presidency saw significant infrastructure projects like the Erie Canal and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. He also pushed the “American System,” which included protective tariffs, a national bank, and expanded trade. However, the Jacksonians’ rise and Adams’ controversial “Tariff of 1828,” which harmed the Southern economy, led to diminished political success.
Adams’ vice president, John C. Calhoun, resigned and ran as Jackson’s vice president in 1828. Adams, without a nominating caucus, ran for re-election under the National Republican Party (not related to the current Republican Party) with Richard Rush as his running mate.
Dirty Campaigning
Both sides engaged in vicious attacks. Jackson was criticized for his duel-related violence and scandalous relationship with Rachel Jackson, whose divorce was not finalized. Adams faced accusations of impropriety during his time as U.S. Minister to Russia and was falsely labeled a pimp and gambler.
The Results
The electoral threshold in 1828 was 131 votes. Jackson defeated Adams decisively with 178 electoral votes and 56% of the popular vote, compared to Adams’ 83 electoral votes and 44%. Adams, like his father John Adams, became a one-term president. John Calhoun, now Jackson’s vice president, was the second VP to serve under two different presidents.
The Scars of Battle
Jackson assumed office as a widower, his wife Rachel having died in December 1828, partly due to the stress of the election. Jackson blamed Adams and Clay for the negative campaigning that contributed to her death. John Quincy Adams declined to attend Jackson’s inauguration, becoming the second president (after his father) to do so.
Following Jackson’s swearing-in, chaos erupted at the White House as enthusiastic supporters caused disturbances. This election marked the rise of the Second Party System, with the Democrats emerging as a dominant political force. And thus concludes the tumultuous 1828 election, one of the most significant and chaotic in American history. The next election promises to be just as intense.
