History Brief: The Election of 1828

The Election of 1828

A rematch and a new party landscape

The 1828 presidential election pitted Andrew Jackson against incumbent John Quincy Adams, repeating their contest from 1824. After the Democratic-Republican Party fractured, Jackson’s supporters organized as the Democratic Party, while many of Adams’ supporters called themselves National Republicans.

Jackson’s appeal to ordinary voters

Jackson’s nationwide grassroots movement encouraged broader public participation in politics. His supporters presented him as a war hero who had risen from humble beginnings through patriotism and hard work. They portrayed him as a defender of the “common man”—someone who could challenge aristocrats, fight corruption, and restore integrity to government.

A bitter campaign of personal attacks

The campaign is described as one of the most malicious presidential campaigns in U.S. history.

• Jackson’s supporters attacked Adams as an out-of-touch elitist who favored stronger government for the benefit of the ruling class.
• Adams’ supporters portrayed Jackson as violent, ill-tempered, and unfit for office, warning that he might become a military tyrant. They cited his duels and brawls, discipline of troops—including executions of deserters—use of martial law in New Orleans, friendship with Aaron Burr, and actions in Spanish-held Florida.
• The most personal attacks concerned Jackson’s wife, Rachel. Critics used the circumstances of her earlier marriage and her marriage to Jackson to argue that he was morally unfit to be president.

Jackson’s decisive victory

The attacks did not substantially weaken Jackson’s popularity. He won about 56 percent of the vote and 178 electoral votes, compared with Adams’ 83. Jackson carried New York and Pennsylvania, as well as the South and West. He became the first president elected from west of the Appalachian Mountains and set a record for popular votes at the time.

His supporters called the result the “Revolution of 1828,” interpreting it as a victory for ordinary people and a rejection of Adams and the alleged “corrupt bargain” politics of 1824.

Rachel Jackson’s death

The campaign took a heavy emotional and physical toll on Rachel, who disliked public attention and the social world of Washington. Although she seemed to be recovering after Jackson’s November victory, she collapsed and died on December 22, 1828, likely of a heart attack.

Jackson buried her at the Hermitage two days later and remained at her graveside until he had to leave for Washington.

Disorder at the White House reception

After Jackson’s inauguration, a large crowd followed him to a reception on the White House lawn. The gathering overwhelmed police, and revelers pushed into the mansion. They climbed on furniture, spilled liquor, broke china and glasses, and spat tobacco juice on the carpets. Friends formed a human barrier and helped Jackson escape to safety.

Speakers and sources

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