In 1824 some state political factions rallied around Jackson winning a plurality of the popular and electoral vote, but no candidate won an electoral majority. Andrew Jackson won redemption four years later in an election that was characterized to an unusual degree by negative personal attacks. Jackson and his wife were accused of adultery on the basis that Rachel had not been legally divorced from her first husband when she married Jackson. By 1828 enough had joined “Old Hickory” to win numerous state elections and control of the Federal administration in Washington.
In a contingent election, the House of Representatives elected John Quincy Adams with Henry Clay‘s support. Jackson’s supporters alleged that there was a “corrupt bargain” between Adams and Clay and began creating their own political organization that would eventually become the Democratic Party.
In his first Annual Message to Congress, Jackson recommended eliminating the Electoral College. He also tried to democratize Federal officeholding. Already state machines were being built on patronage
Jackson believed Government duties could be “so plain and simple” that offices should rotate among deserving applicants.
Jackson’s status as a Mason actually became a major political issue during his presidency.
That’s because the first ever third party in US politics formed as part of a backlash against the Freemasons.
As national politics polarized around Jackson and his opposition, two parties grew out of the old Republican Party–the Democratic Republicans, or Democrats, adhering to Jackson; and the National Republicans, or Whigs, opposing him.
The greatest party battle centered around the Second Bank of the United States, a private corporation but virtually a Government-sponsored monopoly. When Jackson appeared hostile toward it, the Bank threw its power against him.
In the 1836 election, Jackson’s chosen successor Martin Van Buren defeated Whig candidate William Henry Harrison, and Old Hickory left the White House even more popular than when he had entered it. Jackson’s success seemed to have vindicated the still-new democratic experiment
Jackson’s legacy remains controversial, and opinions on him are frequently polarized. Supporters characterize him as a defender of democracy and the constitution, while critics point to his reputation as a demagogue who ignored the law when it suited him. Scholars and historians have consistently ranked Jackson’s presidency as significantly above-average, although his reputation among experts has significantly declined since the late 20th century.
( the following was merged together from sources listed below )
https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/andrew-jackson/
https://www.businessinsider.com/us-presidents-who-were-masons-2017-3
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Jackson
https://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/andrew-jackson
