The man most responsible for the breakdown of the one-party system was Andrew Jackson. Jackson was everything that past presidents were not. He came from a poor family and worked his way up to make something of himself. He was the first man of the people and as such, believed parties were there for the people and the president represented the people. Many, however, still wanted the old system of only a few making presidential decisions. The problem was both sides were in the same party.
Historically Speaking 