In the political campaign for president in 1828, Andrew Jackson was the image of a successful candidate.
The brash war hero was tremendously popular, and many viewed the election of 1824 as having been "stolen" from him.
Gradually, a split in the Republican Party had begun to emerge.
Marin Van Buren perhaps first contributed to the split, although he did so to advance his candidate in the political campaign (Jackson).
In 1827, he gathered a committee of men in Nashville whose aim was to communicate with other "Jackson Committees" in other parts of the country.
At the time, candidates for the presidency did not actively campaign for office--it was not regarded as dignified.
The political campaigning was left to their supporters, and Van Buren was more than willing to campaign actively on Jackson's behalf.
Jackson certainly presented a more colorful image than John Quincy Adams.
In addition to his reputation as a military hero, Jackson proudly described himself as a rough "backwoodsman.
" Jackson's nickname, "Old Hickory," became the basis for a whole political campaign.
Hickory Clubs were organized, and hickory trees were planted at political rallies.
Political souvenirs such as plates, pitchers, and ladies' hair combs were all stamped with pictures of Jackson.
The contest between Adams and Jackson was described by Jackson supporters as a contest between democracy and aristocracy--Jackson, of course, represented the side of democracy.
Newspapers that supported one side or the other published gossip and rumors about both men.
Jackson's political campaign as a "common man" proved victorious, with especially strong support in the South and West.
Adams took New England, but Jackson won nearly every other state except Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey.