The 1824 US Presidential Election: A Four-Way Race and the 12th Amendment

The 1824 US Presidential Election was a unique and controversial event in American history. It was a four-way race with no candidate securing a majority of electoral votes, leading to a complex process involving the 12th Amendment and the House of Representatives to determine the winner.

The Candidates

The four main candidates vying for the presidency in 1824 were:

• Andrew Jackson, a war hero and popular figure, representing the Democratic Party.
• John Quincy Adams, the incumbent Secretary of State and son of John Adams, representing the National Republican Party.
• William Crawford, a senator from Georgia, representing the Democratic-Republican Party.
• Henry Clay, a congressman from Kentucky, representing the National Republican Party.

The Electoral Vote

The election results were as follows:

Candidate	Electoral Votes
Andrew Jackson	99
John Quincy Adams	84
William Crawford	41
Henry Clay	37

As no candidate received a majority of 131 electoral votes, the election was thrown to the House of Representatives, as per the 12th Amendment.

The 12th Amendment

The 12th Amendment, ratified in 1804, established the procedure for electing the President and Vice President. It stipulated that if no candidate receives a majority of electoral votes for President, the House of Representatives chooses the President from among the top three candidates. Each state delegation gets one vote.

The House Vote

The House of Representatives convened on February 9, 1825, to decide the outcome of the election. The three candidates eligible for selection were Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, and William Crawford. Henry Clay, who had come in fourth place, was eliminated.

Clay, as Speaker of the House, had significant influence and used it to support Adams. He believed that Adams would be a better president than Jackson and feared the consequences of Jackson’s victory.

In the end, Adams won the House vote, securing the presidency with 13 states voting for him, while Jackson received 7 and Crawford received 4.

The ‘Corrupt Bargain’

The 1824 election was marred by accusations of a ‘corrupt bargain’ between Adams and Clay. Jackson’s supporters alleged that Clay had traded his support for the presidency for the position of Secretary of State, which Adams offered him shortly after winning the election. This accusation, though never proven, tarnished the legitimacy of Adams’ presidency and further fueled Jackson’s political ambitions.

Legacy

The 1824 election was a significant turning point in American politics. It highlighted the flaws in the Electoral College system and the potential for manipulation during contested elections. It also marked the rise of Andrew Jackson, who would go on to win the presidency in 1828, ushering in a new era of American politics.

This election serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges of democratic processes, especially in the face of close contests and political maneuvering.