1828
1855
Era
Second Party System
Jackson, Whigs, and the rise of mass politics.
7 cycles in this era
Second Party System
1828
Andrew Jackson
Bitter rematch of 1824; marked the rise of Jacksonian Democracy and mass-participation politics
Second Party System1832
Andrew Jackson
First election with a national party nominating convention; first third party to win electoral votes
Second Party System1836
Martin Van Buren
Whigs ran multiple regional candidates in an attempt to deny any candidate a majority
Second Party System1840
William Henry Harrison
First modern campaign ('Tippecanoe and Tyler Too'); highest 19th-century turnout; Harrison died 31 days in
Second Party System1844
James K. Polk
Polk was a dark horse nominee; Liberty Party spoiler cost Clay New York and the presidency
Second Party System1848
Zachary Taylor
Taylor won without taking any position on slavery; Free Soil Party foreshadowed Republican Party
Second Party System1852
Franklin Pierce
Last election where the Whig Party competed nationally; party collapsed afterward
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Curated picksAmerican Lion
Jon Meacham
Pulitzer-winning Jackson biography.
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Robert W. Merry
James K. Polk and the manifest-destiny presidency.
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