Overview
This lecture reviews the divisive and significant U.S. presidential election of 1824, detailing its background, candidates, election process, outcome, fallout, and its long-term effects on American politics.
Background to the 1824 Election
- The "Era of Good Feelings" (post-War of 1812) fostered nationalism and unity, mainly during Monroe's presidency.
- The Missouri Compromise reignited sectional divisions between the North and South over slavery’s expansion.
- Sectionalism replaced nationalism, deeply dividing the nation and political parties by 1824.
The Candidates
- William H. Crawford (South): Old-school Democratic-Republican, endorsed by Madison and Jefferson, Monroe’s Secretary of the Treasury.
- John Quincy Adams (North): Monroe’s Secretary of State, son of President John Adams, ardent nationalist, supported the American System.
- Henry Clay (West): Speaker of the House, established the American System, supported federal infrastructure and tariffs.
- John C. Calhoun (South): Monroe’s Secretary of War, early candidate who withdrew to seek the vice presidency.
- Andrew Jackson (West/National): Military hero, U.S. Senator from Tennessee, widespread national support, seen as an outsider by political elites.
Election Results and the Contingent Election
- No candidate secured a majority of electoral votes; Jackson led with a plurality (99 votes).
- The 12th Amendment required the House of Representatives to decide among the top three (Jackson, Adams, Crawford).
- Clay, eliminated from consideration, used his influence to support Adams, whom he aligned with politically.
The "Corrupt Bargain" and Fallout
- Adams won the contingent election and appointed Henry Clay as Secretary of State.
- Jackson and supporters accused Adams and Clay of a "corrupt bargain," claiming the will of the people was ignored.
- The scandal discredited Adams’s presidency and set up Jackson’s political resurgence.
Significance and Aftermath
- The 1824 election was the second ever decided by the House (the first was 1800).
- It split the Democratic-Republican Party into the National Republicans (later Whigs) and the Democrats, birthing the modern two-party system.
- Jackson’s defeat fueled his campaign, leading to his landslide victory in 1828 and the start of the Jacksonian era.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Era of Good Feelings — A period of nationalism and political unity post-War of 1812.
- Sectionalism — Loyalty to regional interests over national unity, intensified by the Missouri Compromise.
- Plurality — Receiving more votes than any other candidate, but not a majority.
- 12th Amendment — Specifies procedure if no presidential candidate wins an electoral vote majority.
- Contingent Election — Election decided by the House of Representatives when no candidate receives an electoral majority.
- Corrupt Bargain — Alleged deal between Adams and Clay to secure Adams’s presidency in exchange for Clay’s appointment as Secretary of State.
- American System — Henry Clay’s plan for tariffs, a national bank, and infrastructure improvements.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the role of the Missouri Compromise in ending the Era of Good Feelings.
- Be familiar with the new party system: Whigs vs. Democrats.
- Prepare to discuss the 1828 election and the rise of Jacksonian democracy.