Sammy Dawson

AP History

The Difference between the Elections of 1824 and 1828

The elections of 1824 and 1828 were a new stepping stone in American democracy and in
presidential elections. Before the 1820s, those who could vote consisted of rich, white men who
owned land. In this time however, more and more people were emigrating from Europe into the
Americas. Most settled in the cities, where they could not own land. By the 1820s, many states
had extended voting to all free white men because of this factor.
In the election of 1824, there was a greater involvement in politics than before,
with a two-party system that was beginning to emerge. Before this election, party leaders chose a
single presidential candidate to represent the party. In 1824 however, many states allowed the
citizens to directly vote for their candidate, resulting in more than one candidate per party. Even
though it seemed to be getting more democratic, when Jackson did not win the majority and the
election was thrown into the House of Representatives, Henry Clay supported Jackson so he in
turn could become Secretary of State. Many people thought that this deal was corrupt and done
behind closed doors of the American public.
The election of 1828 was the true mark of what would be called Jacksonian Democracy.
There was a transition from a Single Party System to a Double Party System. The expansion of
voting was continuing to grow as most free white men could, whether they had land or not. This
was also a big election for conventions, rooted around the people and not caucus, when Congress
came together to pick a candidate. The elections were centered on the people now, slowly
starting to show more aspects of American Democracy.