 |
War
Slavery
Anti-Corruption
Press
Foreign Policy
Issues Today
|
In addition
to war, presidential candidates in American history have
based their campaigns and presidencies on issues as various
as political corruption, environmental conservation, and
foreign policy.
Though "time" and "players"
change, issues tend to remain constant. Listen to this recording
of a William Jennings Bryant campaign song, "Every
Little Bit Added to What I've Got"
from the collection California
Gold: Northern California Folk Music from the Thirties
collection. Is campaign financing still an issue for voters
in recent elections?
|
|
A Fighting Man Fights Corruption
|
|
Andrew Jackson earned his first war memento
as a fourteen-year-old soldier in the American Revolution.
The lifelong scar on Jackson's forehead came from the sword
of a British officer who had captured the teenager. Jackson's
offense was refusing to shine his captor's boots.
The War of 1812 gave Jackson a chance
for revenge. "Old Hickory" defeated the British at New Orleans
in 1814, a victory that effectively won the war for America.
Jackson's nickname came from his reputation of being tough
as old hickory. A skilled and tenacious military leader, he
survived two severe bullet wounds in battle and permanently
carried a bullet next to his heart as a souvenir from an earlier
duel. Jackson's determination, and his reputation as a national
war hero, led many to consider him an ideal candidate for
president of the United States.
|
Battle
of New Orleans and death of Major General Packenham [sic] /
West del. ; J. Yeager |
|
|
To win the White House, Jackson's tenacity would
be called back into action. In the 1824 presidential election, Jackson
won the popular vote but lost the electoral vote. John Quincy Adams
took office instead when fourth place finisher, Henry Clay, threw
his electoral votes to Adams. In gratitude, Adams named Clay Secretary
of State. And with that appointment, Jackson found the political
issue that would carry him into office four years later.
|
|
|
In 1828, Jackson returned to campaign
against what he called the "corrupt bargain" between Adams and Clay.
Jackson's anti-corruption platform, his emphasis on the political
will of the common man, and his popularity as a war hero won him
almost twice as many electoral votes as the incumbent Adams. To
celebrate, Jackson invited the public to his inaugural
party. Throngs of party goers trashed the White House, and Jackson
had to escape out a window. But, as a true man of the people, Jackson
continued to invite the public to the White House throughout his
two terms in office.
|
|
|
|
