Jacksonian Era Free Response Essay Ever since the second term of George Washington’s presidency, America’s politicians have worked within a two party political system. The first two parties were the Federalists and Anti-Federalists. The Federalist Party supported a strong centralized federal government, while the basis of Anti-Federalists political platform was exactly the antithesis. The two party system has survived for so long, because for every idea set-forth there are always those who will argue against it. No one party ever supported the same ideas as those of the other. Between 1820 and 1840, the American political system was in a state of restructuring. Many things contributed to the political changes that took place. People such as John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay and Martin Van Buren provided opportunities and reasons for political recreation. States’ rights, and other economic issues such as the national bank, the protective tariff and Indian removal also caused many politicians to take strongly opposing sides.Many politicians proposed ideas upon which other political pundits strongly split and disagreed. These groups of people with commonly held beliefs developed into structured political parties. The electoral race for president in 1824 was very controversial. Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay, and William Crawford (who died shortly after) went to the House for a final choice to be made as the top 3 candidates. Henry Clay (Speaker of the House) made Adams his choice for the presidency. After Adams took office, Clay was appointed Secretary of State, and there was talk of a corrupt bargain. Jackson was outraged, and even blamed Clay for his wife’s death (due to anxiety) and never forgave him. Jackson became president in 1828, and maintained a very tenacious grip upon presidency. During the time Jackson was president, he increased the power of the Executive Office, while still ensuring the righ...
