United States Elections: Presidential Elections (1824)


Figure 1.--k

The 1824 election resulted in the first major contested election. John Quincey Adams had been President Monroe's Secretary of State. This was the most prestigious Government post, even more than the vice-presidency. Thus Adams was seen as the political heir to President Monroe. These traditions, however, were being questioned. General Andrew Jackson was the most popular figure in America because of his military campaigns against Native Americans and the British during the War of 1812. He was, however, a devisive figure with his opponents seeing him as a threat to the American Republic. There was as a result of the Era of Good Feeling still only one political party--the Republican Party. There were however sectional and factional divisions within the Party. The different sections put up their favorite sons. Adams was the candidate of the North. He garneredf fewer popular and electoral votes than Jackson who was emensly popular in the West. William H. Crawford and Henry Clay also received votes. Jackson was the leading candidate, but did not hain a majority in the Electoral College. The election was decided among the top three by the House of Representatives. Clay in essence decided the election. He favored policies similar to Adams and thus threw his support to him. Jackson's supporters charged that a corupt bargain gave the presidency to Adams.

Candidates

The 1824 election resulted in the first major contested election. Abd it proved one of the most contenious. President Monroe declined to endorse a successor. John Quincey Adams had been President Monroe's Secretary of State. This was the most prestigious Government post, even more than the vice-presidency. Thus Adams was seen as the political heir to President Monroe. These traditions, however, were being questioned. General Andrew Jackson was the most popular figure in America because of his military campaigns against Native Americans and the British during the War of 1812. He was, however, a devisive figure with his opponents seeing him as a threat to the American Republic.

Democratic-Republicans

There was as a result of the Era of Good Feeling still only one political party--the Republican Party. There were however sectional and factional divisions within the Party. The different sections put up their favorite sons. Adams was the candidate of the North.

Election

Adams garnered fewer popular and electoral votes than Jackson who was emensly popular in the West. William H. Crawford and Henry Clay also received votes. Jackson was the leading candidate, but did not hain a majority in the Electoral College.

House of Representatives

The election was decided among the top three candidates in the Electoral College voting. The election was thus thrown into the House of Representatives. He expected a contentious election and convinced Congress to invite another war hero, the Marquis de Lafayette to visit America. He hoped that Lafayette would reminf Americans of their common struggle and help defuse the rancor of the election. The candidates were unable to obtain a majority in the Electoral Comgress. The electuin was thrown into the House of Representatives. Monroe made sure that Laffayette was with him in Washingtom as the House settled the election. Clay in essence decided the election. He favored policies similar to Adams and thus threw his support to him. Jackson's supporters charged that a corupt bargain gave the presidency to Adams.






HBC





Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Return to the Main U.S. election page]
[Return to the Main U.S. presidential page]
[Return to the Main U.S. political party page]
[Return to the Main U.S. history page]
[Introduction] [Activities] [Biographies] [Children] [Chronology] [Clothing styles] [Countries] [Essays]
[Bibliographies] [Contributions] [FAQs] [Glossaries] [Satellite sites] [Tools]
[ Boys' Clothing Home]



Created: 3:27 AM 2/16/2007
Last updated: 3:27 AM 2/16/2007