Presidential Elections  1828-1852
Federalism vs. State's Rights the Fight Begins

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New Era Highlights

The era ushered Jacksonian Democracy into prominence marked the transition from the provincial Jeffersonian Democracy.  When the Republican Party of the Jefferson became factionalized in the 1820's, Jackson's supporters began to form the modern Democratic Party to pass political power from established elites to ordinary voters..  It supported the primacy of the Presidency over the other branches of the Federal government. They continued the Bank War by opposing renew the charter of Alexander Hamilton's Bank of the United State. Democrats also opposed Whig sponsored  modernizing programs that they felt would build up industry at the expense of the taxpayer.  These battles continue today! 

Democrats fought the rival Adams and Anti-Jacksonian factions took up Federalist causes and emerged as the Whig party. They were led by Henry Clay. It advocated the primacy of Congress over the Executive Branch as well as policies economic protectionism of Northeastern  industry. Editors Notes: Election of 1800 was first divisible by 20 help remember different elections. Political failings are in red font, parties favoring strong central government have a rose background and limited government parties have a green background. Ending dates are the  election year. Until recently outgoing Presidents served through March so later staring and ending term dates may be used.

 

      

Elections Summary

Jacksonian Democrats

Whigs

"And Now the Rest of the Story" 
 The 1828 campaign considered by some the dirtiest of all time was marked by large amounts of nasty mudslinging. Jackson who wanted an end to the  spoils system of federal patronage along with his anti bank increased tax stance. This election  marked the beginning of modern American politics with the decisive establishment of democracy and the formation of the two-party system. A. Jackson
1829 - 1832		 Jacksonian Democracy

Compromise Tariff solved the North-South fight over protectionism

Indian Removal Act of 1830 forced Indians westward.
Bank War won by Jackson to keep Northeast money interests at bay also gave him the Election of 1832. 1833-1838  
The election, 1836  was also the last until 1988 to result in the elevation of an incumbent vice-president to the nation's highest office through means other than the president's death or resignation, and the only one in which a vice-presidential election was thrown into the United States Senate.

A dispute over the legitimacy of Indiana's electoral votes. Similar disputes over the electoral votes count had occurred  1817 and  1821. Many elections disputes would occurs in U.S. history.

 M. Van Buren
1837–1840		 Ended 1838 Mormon War by helping roughly 20,000 Mormons relocate.
Election, 1840 failed to elect Van Buren as many blamed the Panic of 1837 on his holding over Jackson's bank policies.
The Whig Party began Fake News by running a war hero who was supposedly  raised in a log cabin (beginning of Falk News) with
Harrison who was the first president to campaign actively for office. At 68 years, 23 days old he was  the oldest president to take office until Ronald Reagan in 1981. Harrison died from pneumonia on his 32nd day in office thus serving the shortest tenure of any President. 		W. Henry Harrison 1841

J. Tyler
1841–1844

 

 A failed Impeachment attempt resulted over his use of a Presidential veto to over ride Northeast congressional interests. Such a veto was unusual as Presidents did not normally override congressional authority. This would be the first of a few impeachment attempts that were politically motivated.
The election of 1844 saw Democrat James K. Polk at 49, became the youngest man at the time to assume the presidency defeating Whig Henry Clay in a close contest that turned on the controversial issue of slavery expansion through the annexation of the Republic of Texas. Polk was  commitment to territorial expansionism, referred to as Manifest Destiny and that combined with party dealings with slavery made for complex issues. J. Polk
1845–1848		 Walker Tariff of 1846 reduced a high Whig tariff,
Mexican War settled with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo increased the U.S. by a third and resulted in Slave Power accusations.
Oregon Treaty brought in six states, much of the Northwest territory.
Election 1848 was wide open as President Polk, having achieved all of his major objectives in one term and suffering from declining health, kept his promise not to seek re-election. It brought in Taylor who was not much of a Whig, but he was popular for leading the effort. The contest was the first presidential election that took place on the same day in every state. Z. Taylor
1849-1850
 		 Clayton–Bulwer Treaty regarding a proposed inter-oceanic canal through Central America promoted development of an Anglo-American alliance.
His death was from eating bad fruit or unpasteurized milk or as a victim of the Second Cholera Pandemic.
  M. Fillmore 1850–1852 Compromise of 1850 postponed Civil War.
Commodore Matthew C. Perry was sent to open Japan to outside world.
Election 1852 was a rerun of 1844 as the Whig party passed over the incumbent — casting aside Fillmore in favor of General Winfield Scott. The Democrats nominated a "dark horse" candidate Franklin Pierce. The Whigs again campaigned on the obscurity of the Democratic candidate and again the strategy failed. F. Pierce 1853–1856 Kansas Nebraska Ac increased North-South tensions.