Andrew Jackson Questions

       The "Corrupt Bargain", that is what the Presidential Election of 1824 is mostly remembered for, the belief that Henry Clay used his influence in the House of Representatives to get John Quincy Adams elected as President. When Adams appointed Clay to be the new Secretary of State after taking office, many Americans were convinced that the government was corrupt and that election was stolen.
      As President, Adams had some successes: the national debt was reduced from $16 million to $5 million, the Cumberland Road was constructed, and a tariff was passed to protect Northern industries.  All of these success would not matter though in the election of 1828.
     The 1828 Presidential Election was a very messy one, both candidates found themselves and their families attacked on their morals and their  virtues.  John Q. Adams was accused of being a compulsive gambler, an atheists, and to have worked as a pimp for the Czar of Russia.  Jackson was accused of being the next Napoleon, a gambler, and a man who was living in sin.  The picture above is from a "Coffin Ad", that was used to describe how Jackson had ordered the execution of some of his soldiers during the War of 1812.  Despite the negative mudslinging, and relying on strong "grass roots" support, Jackson won the election in a landslide.

For H.W. Please answer the following questions using your notes and handouts.


 1. Andrew Jackson's military success made him a national hero to many Americans but some people saw Jackson a threat to democracy.  Why were some of Jackson's critics scared of electing a military hero to the Presidency?


2. Andrew Jackson won the popular vote of the election of 1824 but did not become President.  Explain how John Quincy Adams was able to become President.  How was this viewed by most
Americans?





3.  Jackson's supporters claimed that if he was elected, Andrew Jackson would be a true representative of the people.  What are two facts that would go against this claim that Jackson was "A Man of the People"?




4.  Why were more Americans able to vote in the Election of 1828 than the Election of 1824?  How did this benefit Jackson?

Here is the powerpoint from today.