The Election of 1824 is remembered as one of the most controversial in American history. It starred John Quincy Adams, the son of a former president, pitted him against war hero Andrew Jackson, and ended with accusations of corruption that would shape U.S. politics for years to come. It also marked the end of the “Era of Good Feelings” and the collapse of one-party dominance in America.
The End of an Era
President James Monroe, following the tradition set by Washington, Jefferson, and Madison, declined a third term after eight years in office. Monroe’s presidency had been defined by a desire for national unity, symbolised by his uncontested victory in 1820. Yet beneath the surface of consensus, cracks were forming.
The Federalist Party had collapsed, leaving the Democratic-Republicans as the only political force. But without an external opponent, the Democratic-Republicans began to fracture from within. The lingering economic strain of the Panic of 1819 and the divisive debates around the Missouri Compromise of 1820 revealed sectional and ideological rifts. With Monroe being the last Founding Father to hold the presidency, the stage was set for a new generation of leaders to battle for control.
Vice President Daniel D. Tompkins was initially expected to run, but his declining health and financial troubles ruled him out. He died just months after leaving office, clearing the way for fresh contenders.
The Candidates in the Election of 1824
Four leading Democratic-Republicans emerged, each with their own base of support:
- William H. Crawford of Georgia, Monroe’s Secretary of the Treasury, secured the official party nomination through the congressional caucus. But the caucus system was increasingly seen as elitist and undemocratic, and Crawford’s campaign was hampered by a stroke during the election.
- Henry Clay, Speaker of the House from Kentucky, championed his “American System” of tariffs, internal improvements, and a strong national bank.
- John Quincy Adams, Monroe’s Secretary of State and son of John Adams, drew support from New England. Though once aligned with Federalist ideals, he had become a pragmatic nationalist.
- Andrew Jackson, the general who had won fame at the Battle of New Orleans and in the First Seminole War, appealed to voters as a man of the people and an outsider to Washington’s elite.
Another figure, John C. Calhoun of South Carolina, withdrew from the presidential race early, instead successfully running for the vice presidency.
The Results
The campaign itself was relatively tame, but the results revealed the country’s divisions.
- Andrew Jackson led with 99 electoral votes and 41.4% of the popular vote, carrying a broad coalition of states including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and much of the South and West.
- John Quincy Adams followed with 84 electoral votes and 30.9% of the popular vote, dominating New England and drawing support from parts of New York.
- William Crawford, despite being the official nominee, managed only 41 electoral votes and 11.2% of the popular vote, with strength in Georgia and Virginia. His recent stroke damaged his credibility.
- Henry Clay came fourth with 37 electoral votes and 13% of the popular vote, carrying Kentucky, Ohio, and Missouri.
Although Jackson had both the highest electoral and popular vote totals, he fell short of the 131 electoral votes needed for a majority. Under the 12th Amendment, the election was sent to the House of Representatives, with the top three candidates — Jackson, Adams, and Crawford — still eligible.
The Corrupt Bargain
As Speaker of the House, Henry Clay was eliminated from contention but held enormous influence over the outcome. Clay distrusted Jackson, whom he viewed as a reckless military chieftain, and aligned more closely with Adams on policy. He threw his support behind Adams.
When the House voted, Adams was chosen as the sixth president of the United States. Shortly afterward, he appointed Henry Clay as his Secretary of State — a post traditionally seen as a stepping stone to the presidency.
To Jackson and his supporters, this looked like a classic case of backroom dealing. They denounced it as a “Corrupt Bargain.” Adams and Clay denied any formal arrangement, but the damage was done. The accusation haunted Adams’s presidency and galvanised Jackson’s supporters into a movement that would transform American politics.
Significance
The Election of 1824 was historic in several ways:
- It was the first and only time the candidate with the most electoral votes failed to become president.
- It was the first time the popular vote winner lost the presidency.
- It was the first instance of a House contingent election under the 12th Amendment.
- It marked the last election victory for the Democratic-Republican Party, whose dominance from Jefferson through Monroe had lasted 28 years.
Most importantly, it signalled the end of the Era of Good Feelings. With no Federalist opposition left, the Democratic-Republicans fractured, paving the way for new parties to emerge.
Legacy
The Election of 1824 followed Monroe’s near-unanimous re-election in 1820, but the harmony of that contest gave way to bitter division. John Quincy Adams took the presidency, but his victory was tainted from the start, and his term would be plagued by accusations of illegitimacy.
For Andrew Jackson, the outcome was infuriating. He had won more votes than any other candidate, yet lost the presidency in the House. Outraged, he and his supporters began organising for a rematch. Four years later, in the Election of 1828, Jackson would return with a vengeance — and reshape American politics forever.