After the controversial result of the 1824 election, Jackson and his supporters were
determined to win in 1828.
How did the election play out?
The 1828 presidential election was a rematch of the 1824 contest between Andrew Jackson
and John Q. Adams.
As the Democratic-Republican Party split apart after the Election of 1824, Jackson’s supporters
formed the Democratic Party to support Jackson’s candidacy.
Many of Adams’ supporters referred to themselves as National Republicans.
Much like in 1824, Jackson was supported by a nationwide grassroots movement that increased
the public’s involvement in the political process.
In what is often referred to as the first “modern” presidential campaign, Jackson’s
supporters dubbed him as a war hero who had been born poor and rose to wealth and fame
through patriotism, valor, and hard work.
Many saw Jackson as a champion capable of crushing the aristocrats, fighting corruption
in DC, and restoring honor to the government.
The Election of 1828 is regarded as one of the most malicious presidential campaigns
in history.
Jackson’s supporters painted Adams, a Harvard graduate and son of a former president, as
being out of touch with the “common man”.
Jacksonians branded Adams as a corrupt elitist and an aristocrat who wanted to increase the
size and power of government to benefit the ruling class.
In turn, Adams’ supporters claimed that Jackson was bloodthirsty, ill-mannered, hot-tempered,
and not equipped to be president.
Supporters of Adams insisted that Jackson would become a military tyrant and use the
presidency to fulfill Napoleonic ambitions of power.
The supporters of Adams brought out all of the stops in their case to destroy Jackson’s
reputation.
During the campaign, they brought up his various duels and brawls, his harsh disciplining of
troops (including executing deserters), and his use of martial law in New Orleans.
They also criticized his close friendship with Aaron Burr (who had killed Alexander
Hamilton and been arrested for treason) and the number of times he had overstepped his
authority as a commander (particularly his invasions of Spanish-held Florida).
While these attacks were troubling, by far the most hateful mudslinging of the campaign
came in the form of Adams’ supporters attacking Andrew’s wife, Rachel.
In the eyes of the law, Rachel was a bigamist, and Andrew and Rachel had committed adultery
by marrying before her first marriage was legally terminated.
Many of Adams’ supporters used this to declare that Jackson was morally unfit to hold the
office of the presidency.
In the end, none of the attempts to ruin Jackson’s reputation could dent the general’s popularity.
He captured 56 percent of the vote and received 178 electoral votes to Adams’ 83.
Jackson won New York and Pennsylvania, along with the entire South and West.
Jackson became the first president elected from west of the Appalachian Mountains, and
he received a record number of popular votes in doing so.
Jackson’s supporters declared that the overwhelming victory was a win for the common people and
that it served as a clear repudiation of both John Q. Adams and “corrupt bargain” politics.
Jackson’s victory became known as the “Revolution of 1828” and was seen as a triumph over
the upper-class politicians who had run the country for so long.
Despite the sense of vindication Jackson felt in defeating Adams, his joy was short-lived.
The vicious campaign had taken a toll on Rachel, draining her emotionally and physically.
Rachel did not enjoy controversy or attention and likely believed that her past served as
a burden to her husband’s campaign.
She also despised the social circles of Washington and possibly even questioned her worthiness
to serve as First Lady.
During the campaign, Rachel fell gravely ill.
After Jackson’s victory in the November election, her health seemed to be recovering,
but on December 22, 1828, Rachel collapsed and died, likely due to a heart attack.
Jackson laid his wife to rest at the Hermitage two days later.
Grief-stricken, he remained by her graveside until the last possible moment before departing
for Washington.
After his inauguration, hundreds of people followed the new president to the White House
where a reception was to take place on the front lawn.
As the crowd grew larger, the partygoers overwhelmed the police officers who were on hand to maintain
order.
When Jackson attempted to retire for the evening, the crowd pursued him into the White House.
The mob would not be deterred, and revelers crawled in through windows and climbed on
furniture with muddy boots in hopes of catching a glimpse of the new president.
They spilled pails of liquor on the floor, busted expensive china and glasses, and spat
tobacco juice on the carpet.
The crowd eventually became such a threat to Jackson’s safety that a barrier of friends
had to form a human shield around the president and cart him away to safety.