The Election of 1824 features one of the most controversial endings in U.S. history, starring John Quincy Adams, the son of a former president, and signalling the end of one-party rule in America. With all that said, let’s dive in.
The End of an Era
James Monroe, following in the footsteps of his predecessors, chose not to seek a third term after eight years as president. Monroe’s presidency was marked by his efforts to maintain political unity and harmony within the country, culminating in his unopposed victory in 1820.
By the 1824 election, the Federalist Party had dissolved, weakened by the Hartford Convention and other factors, leaving the Democratic-Republican Party as the only political force in the United States. The “Era of Good Feelings” was in full swing, but not everything was smooth sailing. The country faced its first economic crisis, the Panic of 1819, which lasted until 1821, and the Missouri Compromise, which sought to balance the number of free and slave states, while establishing clear boundaries for slavery in new territories.
As Monroe opted not to run again, the Democratic-Republicans were divided over issues like sectionalism, tariffs, and infrastructure. Discussions about who would succeed Monroe began well before 1824. Vice President Daniel D. Tompkins was initially expected to run, but his poor health, caused by alcoholism, and financial troubles made him an unlikely candidate. Tompkins would die just three and a half months after leaving office. With Monroe being the last Founding Father to hold the presidency, the field was wide open for new contenders. Let’s take a look at the candidates.
The Presidential Candidates for the Election of 1824
The top four candidates for the Democratic-Republicans were William Crawford, Henry Clay, John Quincy Adams, and General Andrew Jackson. William H. Crawford, James Monroe’s Secretary of the Treasury from Georgia, had nearly secured the party nomination in 1816 and now sought to capitalize on Monroe’s departure. He won the party’s nomination through the congressional caucus.
- Henry Clay, the Speaker of the House from Kentucky, had declined to run in 1816 but now aimed for the presidency. Clay, like many others, was displeased with Crawford’s nomination through the congressional caucus, seeing it as undemocratic. This dissatisfaction led others to run despite Crawford being the official nominee.
- John Quincy Adams, the son of former President John Adams and the current Secretary of State from Massachusetts, held ideals aligned with the Federalist Party. By the end of James Madison and James Monroe’s presidencies, many Democratic-Republicans had adopted some of those Federalist ideas.
- Lastly, there was Andrew Jackson, a former Governor and Senator from Tennessee and the military hero of the Battle of New Orleans, who also played a key role in the First Seminole War in Florida.
- Another candidate, John C. Calhoun, the Secretary of War, withdrew from the race after facing stiff competition. He instead ran for the vice presidency and won, defeating rivals like Martin Van Buren and Nathaniel Macon.
With the main candidates and the newly elected vice president in place, let’s move on to the results.
The Results
Despite some disagreements on domestic and foreign policy, all four candidates largely agreed on most issues, resulting in relatively mild campaigning. However, their supporters used newspapers, political cartoons, and campaign songs to promote their preferred candidate.
As the electoral map shows, this election was highly sectional. John Quincy Adams secured 84 electoral votes from the Northeast, including New England, Vermont, Connecticut, and New York, with 30.9% of the popular vote.
- William Crawford garnered 41 electoral votes from states like Georgia and Virginia but placed fourth in the popular vote with 11.2%. His poor performance might be attributed to a stroke he suffered during the election, which likely made voters wary of electing someone with health issues.
- Henry Clay received 37 electoral votes from Missouri, Ohio, and his home state of Kentucky, placing third in the popular vote with 13%.
- Andrew Jackson, however, had the broadest support, winning states like Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and several Southern states, including Alabama, North and South Carolina, and Mississippi. He led the pack with 99 electoral votes and 41.4% of the popular vote.
Given Jackson’s lead in both the electoral and popular votes, one might assume he would become president. However, the election required 131 electoral votes to win, so the decision fell to the House of Representatives, as outlined by the 12th Amendment.
The Corrupt Bargain
With no candidate having secured a majority of electoral votes, the House of Representatives had to decide the election. However, only the top three candidates were eligible, leaving Henry Clay out of the running for the election of 1824
As Speaker of the House, Clay held a powerful position to influence the final decision. Despite Jackson’s leading vote count, Clay, who despised Jackson for his military actions in the War of 1812 and other reasons, decided to back John Quincy Adams. This decision was influenced by Crawford’s health issues and Clay’s alignment with Adams on key issues.
After the House of Representatives cast its votes, John Quincy Adams was declared the 6th president of the United States. Many, including Jackson, believed a “Corrupt Bargain” had taken place between Adams and Clay, with the assumption that Clay supported Adams in exchange for being appointed Secretary of State—a position that had historically led to the presidency. Although Adams and Clay denied any such deal, suspicions lingered, especially when Clay was soon named Secretary of State.
This election was significant for several reasons:
- It was the first and only time the candidate with the most electoral votes did not become president.
- It marked the first of many instances where the popular vote winner did not win the presidency.
- It was the first of two times a former president’s son became president.
- It was the seventh and final election victory for the Democratic-Republican Party, a winning streak that remains unmatched.
Unsurprisingly, Andrew Jackson and many others were outraged by what they perceived as a “Corrupt Bargain” between Adams and Clay. But Jackson wouldn’t disappear quietly. The outcome of this election set the stage for his comeback in 1828 and the rise of one of the most influential political parties in U.S. history.
