First President of U.S.Won unanimously in 1788 (69 Electoral Votes)

and 1792 (132 votes).Only president to get all electoral votesNo Designated Party “Reluctant President”Only 10 states participated in the 1788

election, N.Y. chose no electors, N.C. and R. I. hadn’t ratified the Constitution.

George Washington (1732-1799)election of 1788/1792

George Washington (1732-1799)election of 1788/1792

Issues include:

Starting a new country

French Revolution

George Washington (1732-1799)election of 1788/1792As President: Starting a new country

Hamilton had plans to establish a national credit and build a financially powerful nation – basis of Federalist Party. Jefferson is opposed to Hamilton – Jeffersonian Republicans.

Washington held regular cabinet meetings to debate issues before making a final decision.

Promoted neutrality for the country, until it grew stronger.

George Washington (1732-1799)election of 1788/1792

As President: French RevolutionRefused to accept recommendations from

Secretary of State: Jefferson (pro-French) or Secretary of Treasury: Hamilton (pro-British).

Insisted on neutral course until the U.S. was stronger.

George Washington (1732-1799)election of 1788/1792

Set many precedents and customs of the presidency, such as serving max. of two terms

Two parties were developing by the end of Washington’s second term.

In his farewell speech, Washington warned against excessive party spirit, geographical distinctions, and long term alliances.

Bibliography www.u-s-history.com/pages/h378.html www.u-s-history.com/pages/h381.html www.archontology.org/nations/us/us2/washington.php www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/gwl.html www.wikipedia.org

V.P. under G. Washington Election in 1796 as Federalist Strong central w/ weak states rights “loose interpretationalist” More electable than Hamilton Main support from New England Defeats T. Jefferson (Dem-Rep) by 3

e.v. (& Pinckney & Burr)

John Adams (1735-1826)election of 1796

John Adams (1735-1826)election of 1796

Issues include: Federalist handling of Whiskey rebellion and.. Jay’s Treaty (too British-sympathetic)

As President: XYZ Affair creates undeclared war w/ French ’97

(“Millions for defense, not one cent for tribute”) “Quasi-War” required taxes --- John Fries revolt in Penn. Convention of 1800 leads to peaceful resolution w/

French and later the Louisiana Purchase And….

John Adams (1735-1826)election of 1796

As President: Alien and Sedition Acts target Dem-Reps and

their supporters Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions create

“nullification talk”

John Adams (1735-1826): election of 1796

Politics moves towards two declared parties Elections about personalities and ……..on sectional interests Adams avoided “entangling alliances” U.S. beginning to form “an identity”, but… Federalists mimic British culture

(furniture/literature/art/etc) America must choose Feds or Dem-Reps in

1800!

1800 and 1804 Jefferson (dem-rep) vs.

Adams (fed) Democratic-republicans:

Strict interpreters States’ rightists Feared

monarchy/dictatorship Federalists:

Loose interpreters Valued strong central

gov’t Feared anarchy

Thomas Jefferson elected162 electoral votes compared to 14 for his Federal opponent

Federalists too radical for public, campaigns fizzled out,

The Men Jefferson

Somewhat passive, weak voice

Writer Appealed to middle class

(farmers, artisans, etc.) Liberal Sympathized with

downtrodden Favored agriculture Advocated “rule of the

people” Minimal military French influence

Adams Aggressive Strong speaker Appealed to upper class

(North) Traditional Focused on National Bank Advocated “rule of best

people” Strong military British influence

The Election Federalists angry with

President John Adams Didn’t allow war with

France against Napoleon Resulted in increased

taxes and higher public debt

Loyal Federalists bash Jefferson

Rumors of atheism: believed in separation of church and state

Thief Adulterer

Jefferson elected Southern states had more

votes (slaves counted as 3/5)

Aaron Burr helped swing important NY votes from Adams

Jefferson and Burr tie, broken by House of Representatives (picked “lesser of two evils”)

John Adams is last Federalist President of the USA

What’s going on00-04

USA adjusts to new Constitution US Expansion: Louisiana Purchase,

Lewis and Clark expedition 1804-1806 World: Napoleon invades parts of

Europe, Africa, and the Americas Hated Embargo Act of 1807

Elections 1808 and 1812

Election of 1808

-James Madison (Dem. Rep.)

-Charles Pinckney (Federalist)

-Madison former Sec. of State and a friend of Jefferson’s. (Virginian)

-Pinckney ran against T-Jeff in 1804.

Election of 1812

-James Madison (Dem. Rep.)

-Dewitt Clinton (Federalist)

-Madison wartime president

-Dewitt a Dem. Rep. chosen by Federalists as best chance to beat the Dem. Rep.’s out of office. (He is also the Nephew of Madison’s late V.P.)

Party platforms/strategyElection 1808

-Dem. Rep. Madison had Jefferson’s support and T-Jeff still popular.

-Running as previous Sec. of State and a Virginian

-Federalist Pinckney uses the embargo act and bad foreign politics with Britain and France against Madison and T-Jeff

Election 1812

-Dem. Rep. Madison running as a wartime president.

-People don’t want to switch power in the middle of a conflict. (First example of this)

-Federalist Dewitt Clinton changed politics according to popular feeling and geography. (South W=pro war-Dewitt=Pro war, New England against-Dewitt=against)

-Ran hoping to get people who did not want another term with a Virginian President.

Election ResultsElection 1808

-Dem. Rep. Madison Wins by a lot. Pinckney loses.

-Madison (122) Clinton (47)

Election 1812

Dem. Rep. Madison Wins again by a lot (though not as much as before), Dewitt Loses.

-Madison (128) Dewitt (89)

Brief History1808

-Embargo of Britain unpopular in New England.

-Congress doesn’t cooperate with Madison like it did with T-Jeff.

-Divided feelings on seemingly unavoidable war.

-Troubles with natives, belief that they had British assistance.

-War to reestablish belief in republican system.

-Madison asked congress to declare war on June 1, 1812.

1812-Madison’s War

-United States not really united

-Some in New England helping the British.

-U.S. not prepared, regular army scattered and ill trained.

-American navy, shining example (Oliver Hazard Perry)

-Francis Scott Key Star Spangled Banner.

-Jackson Victory in New Orleans.

Under James Madison Secretary of State (1812) Secretary of War (1814)

Elected in 1816 as Democratic-Republican

Defeats Rufus King (Federalist) by landslide Federalist party weak due to War of 1812

James Monroe (1758-1831)election of 1816

James Monroe1816-1819

As President: “Era of Good

Feelings” Economic “Panic of

1819” Missouri Compromise

Prohibited Slavery in 36° 30’ Parallel

Florida ceded to United States by Spain

James Monroe Election of 1820

Ran for re-election unopposed Not elected unanimously by electoral college

One elector voted for John Q. Adams

As President: Andrew Jackson attacked Florida Monroe Doctrine

The Election of 1824 John Quincy Adams (Mass)

Secretary of State – (Mastermind of Monroe Doctrine)

Andrew Jackson (Tenn) Military Hero (New Orleans/Indian Fighter)

William Crawford (Geor) Henry Clay (Kent)

Speaker of the House All candidates were “Republicans”

John C. Calhoun ran as VP with Adams and Jackson

The Election

Only 25% of eligible voters voted Voting by section

Adams won New England Jackson won the South and West

Election decided by Congress Clay did not have enough electoral votes

to be considered

The Result

Speaker of House Henry Clay promises victory to Adams Adams agreed with Clay’s American System

Federal Bank, Tariffs, and Roads/Canals Jackson to military/states rightist Crawford finished by a stroke

Adams becomes the first “minority President”

The “Corrupt” Bargain

Adams becomes President Clay becomes Secretary of State

3 out of 4 last Secretaries of State became President

Corruption unlikely because Adams was honest to a fault. Rumors of corruption plagued both

Adam’s and Clay’s political careers

Adams as President

Respect > Popularity A Failure at “Baby kissing” democracy.

Only replaced 12 government officials No spoils lost Adams party support

Unpopular policies American System Fair with Indians in Georgia (Cherokees) Adams=nationalist, America=sectionalist

The Elections of Andrew Jackson

Truly the coolest President

Election of 1828 Criticized Adams’

National Republican administration

“People’s Candidate” on Democratic-Republican ticket.

Rachel

Issues of Elections

1828 – against Pres. John Q. Adams “Corrupt Bargain” Mud-Slinging Tariff of Abominations

1832 – against Henry Clay Rechartering of the National Bank

Jackson as President

Spoils System Veto! Veto! Veto! Weak Cabinet Reduction of National Debt Indian Removal

Legacy of “Old Hickory”

No banking system until 1913 Appeal to common man Importance of personality in elections

Election of 1836 Democrats/Jacksonians

Jackson ensured the nomination of Martin Van Buren (his “yes man”) in 1836. Van Buren promised to “tread generally” in the shoes of Andrew Jackson, but was not wildly supported by Jacksonians.

Against tariffs and federally funded internal improvements.

Mostly pro-slavery.

Supported independent treasury.

Supported by South and West.

Whig Party

Chose “favorite sons,” each with regional appeals, hoping to split the vote and force it to the House of Representatives.

Pro-bank, pro-protective tariff, pro-internal improvements.

Supported moral reform. Based in New England.

Election of 1836

Election of 1836

Martin Van Buren, Democrat.

General William Henry Harrison (“Old Tippecanoe”),

Whig’s leading “favorite son.”

Hugh White, Whig

Daniel Webster, Whig

Willie Mangum, Independent

Candidates

Election of 1836

Tariffs National Bank vs. Independent Treasury Slavery Internal Improvements (Federal or State funded)

Major Issues

Election of 1836

Population is moving west. Women have more opportunities, but are

still not equal. Blacks continue to have no rights, whether

free or slave. The nation is beginning to be overcome by

“manifest destiny.”

America in 1836

The Election of 1836

Van Buren won with 170 to 124 electoral votes, but a much closer popular margin.

The Whig’s strategy failed, the election never made it to the House of Representatives.

Martin Van Buren became the eighth U.S. president, and the first to have been born under the American flag.

Results

Election of 1840

Martin Van Buren v. William H. Harrison

Election Results

1,274,624 1,127,781

234 60

Popular vote

Electoral Vote

William H. Harrison Martin Van Buren

Demographics U.S. Population-

17,069,453 (1840 Census)

White= 83.2% Black= 16.8%

89% rural 11% urban

Average U.S. age= 18

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Rural/Urban White/Black

Harrison Background Not best statesman on Whig ticket, but best

“Vote-getter” Portrayed as poor Western Farmer living in

log cabin (actually aristocrat) Resulting from inaugural address, died of

pneumonia after 31 days in office 1840 Election firmly established 2 party

system of government John Tyler was Vice President

Issues Debated

Since there were no formal party platforms were established, characteristics of the candidates were the main issue of discussion

Issues regarding the time were Mexico/Texas, Economic troubles, and relations with Britain in the Oregon region

Party Platforms

Neither party had established platforms, but rather relied on mass-gathering campaigns designed to make their candidate appeal to the voters.

One such example would be the “Huzza-For-Harrison” campaign

Election of 1848 (Zachary Taylor)

Whig Presidential Candidate

Zachary Taylor Whig Ran with Millard

Fillmore for VP Mexican War

General (received votes from both Whig and Democratic)

Election of 1848 Democratic Party

Candidate Lewis Cass Served as Gov. and

Senator of Michigan Secretary of War

under Jackson!!!!! Silent on slavery

(suspected of pro-slavery)

Election of 1848 Free Soil Party

Nomination Van Buren Party formed for

election to oppose slavery in western states

Election of 1848

Issues Slavery (division of Democrats over

slavery gave Northeast to Taylor) Whether annexed Mexican lands

should allow slavery Since candidates were being vague on

slavery, some people voted on personality

Election of 1848

As President: California wrote constitution with no

slavery Opposed Compromise of 1850 (after

his death was passed) Mysterious death South spoke of succession, Taylor said

he would “Lead the Army”

Election of 1848 The Results Electoral Votes: Taylor- 163 Cass- 127 Van Buren -0 (maybe next

time!!)

Popular Votes: Taylor- 47.3% Cass- 42.5%

Van Buren- 10.1%

Candidates• Franklin Pierce (William King)-Democratic• Winfield Scott (William Graham)-Whig• John P. Hale (George Julian)-Free Soil

Marked the end of the Whig party• Eclipse of national parties• Rise of sectional parties

Franklin Pierce (1804-1869)election of 1852

Franklin Pierce (1804-1869)election of 1852

Party Platforms• Whig and Democratic platforms were

almost indistinguishable• No major issues were debated• Campaign was reduced to personal

attacks on the candidates. Pierce

• Mexican-American War brigadier general

• Served in the House of Representatives and the Senate

• Northerner (NH) with Southern sympathies

Franklin Pierce (1804-1869)election of 1852

Scott• War hero with a 50 year career• Scott was anti-slavery which lost him

support in the South • Whigs were pro-slavery which lost

him support in the North Hale

• Served in the House of Representatives and the Senate

• Lawyer• Opponent of the Mexican-American

War• Anti-slavery

Franklin Pierce (1804-1869)election of 1852

Election results: popular vote• Pierce: 50.8%• Scott: 43.9% • Hale: 4.9%

Election Results: Electoral vote

• Pierce: 254• Scott: 42• Hale: 0

Lowest voter turnout since 1836

Only president from NH

Franklin Pierce (1804-1869)election of 1852

Pierce as president:• Favored the Kansas-Nebraska

Act • Repealed the Missouri

Compromise• Ostend Manifesto (plan to

acquire Cuba from Spain) • Widely criticized

Sources Consulted

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1852

http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/fp14.html

Kennedy, David M. , Lizabeth Cohen, and Thomas A. Bailey. The American Pageant: A History of the Republic. 13th . Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006.

http://www.historycentral.com/elections/1852.html

http://blueandgraytrail.com/event/Election_of_1852

James Buchanan (1791-1868) Election of 1856

• Representative from Pennsylvania, elected five times

• Served in the senate for ten years

• Secretary of State under Polk

• Served as both a minister to Russia and Great Britain

• Election 1856, ran as a democrat

• Despite not pulling in the majority of the popular votes Buchanan gets the presidency

• Defeats Fremont 174 to 117, with Fillmore at 8 E.V.

James Buchanan (1791-1868)Election of 1856

• Issues during election:

- Kansas/Nebraska Uproar: Buchanan had served as minister to Great Britain at this time, thus he remained enemyless. Though of course the issue of slavery had yet to be resolved as a whole.

- Immigration influx, mainly more from Ireland and Germany.

• As President:

- Dred Scott decision opens up all territories to slavery, declaring the 1820 compromise unconstitutional.

- Not forgetting ….

James Buchanan (1791-1868) Election of 1856

• As President:

- Late during 1857 an economic plunge combined with the social turmoil of the times created much distress and anger.

- Buchanan’s veto on the Homestead act in 1860, kept the power southerly, where his support flowed from.

James Buchanan (1791-1868)Election of 1856

As a result of the turmoil economically, the north begins to demand free farms of 160 acres to be given to the public.

Congress enacts tariff of 1857, reduces duties twenty percent on dutiable goods.

Northern Manufactures blame the tariff for the hard times. Two issues emerge via Republicans: - Protection for the Unprotected

- Farms for the farmless Senatorial Election of 1858 and the Lincoln-Douglas

Debates; a prelude to the union split.