Adams, Jackson and the Corrupt Bargain
Our ads this week focus on the two major candidates, John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson. As you’ll note, these videos include more images and are more personal than previous ads. These changes in our ads reflect real developments in American political culture. The 1820s saw the expansion of the voting franchise and the explosion of print. As America democratized, its politics became more personal. As printing increased, so too did political ephemera. The country was awash in partisan paper. After 1824, political cartoons, broadsides, pamphlets, and campaign biographies became regular parts of politics.
Aimee Dennett’s attack ad “John (Quincy) Adams” has the highest production values we have yet seen. She casts Quincy Adams as a closet Federalist by linking him to his unpopular father. The ad argues that his support of a strong federal government would undermine the ideals of the Republican Party. The ad reflects the fear that many of Adams’ opponents felt towards his strong government policies. In the words of one newspaper she cites, he would “destroy the liberties of the nation.” You can read an explanation of her ad here.
Brian Edgerley’s video “Do Not Elect a Murderer” follows Aimee’s lead, except he sets his sights on Jackson and his past. Brian challenges Jackson’s reputation as a distinguished general. Instead of focusing on Jackson’s victories, Brian questions Jackson’s tactics. Brian highlights Jackson’s summary execution of soldiers, his history of dueling, and his authoritarian leadership style. At the end of the ad, Brian also brings up rumors of Jackson’s infidelity. As Brian’s ad states, Jackson is “unfit for presidential power.” You can read an explanation of his ad here.
Sam Weinstein has a different point of view. She argues that Jackson can best represent the nation and its future. The most important theme in her video is the growing divide between the establishment in D.C. and those outside of it. Quoting from Jackson’s campaign biography, her ad tells viewers to “look to the city of Washington, and let the virtuous patriots of the country weep at the spectacle.” Her ad promises that Jackson would reform this corruption.
Edward Flynn's “A Strong Diplomatic Politician” disagrees with Sam. He argues that Adams is the best equipped for the presidency. He focuses on John Quincy Adams' distinguished service. Adams was one of America’s finest Secretaries of State, and Edward highlights his many acocmplishments. Such skills, Edward implies, are what a President needs. You can read his explanation here.
It is tough to say whose argument carried the day in 1824. Jackson won a plurality of the popular vote and Electoral College. No one had a majority, however. Congress thus had to decide who would be President. There, Henry Clay, the Speaker of the House who had also received 37 electoral votes, endorsed John Quincy Adams. Clay then helped bring a number of western states into the fold, pushing Adams above Jackson.
Jackson felt the election illegitimate. He believed John Quincy Adams and Clay had made a secret compact in which Clay would support Adams in exchange for the position of Secretary of State. As Secretary of State, Clay would be positioned as Adams’ likely successor. Jackson refused to accept defeat and began campaigning for the presidency almost immediately. In 1828, John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson would face a rematch in what became one of the most vicious elections in American history. We will travel there in the next installment.
