Henry Clay was the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Henry Clay, receiving the least, was left out However, as a leader in the House of Representatives, he had influence over the other members Clay openly hated Jackson and there were rumors that Clay made a deal with Adams in exchange for his support. The House election
declared John Quincy Adams president. Soon, he chose Henry Clay to fill the seat he left vacant, Secretary of State. Jackson was shocked and enraged. Although there was
no inquiry of possible wrongdoing, Jackson accused Adams and Clay of making a "corrupt bargain."
John Quincy Adams was a disappointment as president. Many of his goals created divisions like federal funds for internal improvement. Some states thought that taking
federal funds would force them to follow certain rules. They felt this reduced their rights as independent states. Jackson took advantage of issues like this one to gather more
support. More Jackson supporters found their way to seats in Congress. He was as a man of the people and said Adams could never understand the common man's
concerns
John Quincy Adams ran against Andrew Jackson in the 1828 election. Personal attacks grew even more vicious, but Andrew Jackson appealed to many. He believed
government was for the common man. He believed in strict reading of the law and limited internal improvements. He also believed in states' rights.
Andrew Jackson easily won the 1828 election, winning both the popular vote and a majority of electoral votes. Historians note the sectional nature of the voting. Support for
Jackson was concentrated in South while Adams support was mostly in the North. Jackson was so popular because he brought changes to the government. He also wanted
to make sure the government was responsible for its actions. Jackson pushed settlement into the frontier. He supported the Indian Removal act. He also defended the spread
of slavery. Though his support was heavier in the South, he was determined to keep a unified nation. The nise and presidency of Old Hickory is memorable to Americans
today
What was the "corrupt bargain" of the 1824 election?
Split of the Democratic Republican candidates
Description by Andrew Jackson of the election outcome
Smear campaign John Quincy Adams used to win
Difference between the popular and electoral votes