History Discussion - Research Paper Example

The Presidential elections of 1824 The 1824 presidential elections reflect a turning point in American politics. The subside of the Federalist party and the infirmity of the “official presidential candidate” of the Republicans resulted in a line up of candidates who all belonged to the Democratic-Republicans, which led to the Congressional Caucus system of candidates nomination, and ultimately the growth of a new-party system in the US. During this election, Andrew Jackson prevailed in both the electoral and popular vote.

However, John Quincy Adams emerged as the president. From this election system, four critical elements were highlighted, namely: the nomination of candidates, the Electoral College, the popular electors’ election, and the presidential election in the house when none of the candidates receives a majority in the process. Further, the campaigns were more of the candidate’s regional rivalries and personality than divisive national issue and partisan politics. In fact, candidates did not campaign, but the actual campaigning exercise was carried out by surrogates and mangers, with various partisans speaking and writing in candidates’ favor throughout the year.

The presidential election involved three key figures in the History of America, and was decided in the House of Representatives. Here, one man won, the other helped him win, yet another one stormed out of Washington criticizing the whole affair as “ a corrupt bargain” The dubious elections of 1824 was known as the most controversial of all the elections in American history. It was as much a race of favorite sons as it was a disagreement over policy, though positions on international improvements and tariffs did create some noticeable conflicts.

In general, the contestants were favored by varying parts of the country. Jackson was strong in the West, South, and mid-Atlantic, Adams in the northeast, Henry Clay in some parts of the West, while William H. Crawford was strong in the East. The secretary of War at the time, John C. Calhoun, was initially the fifth candidate at the beginning consideration, but rather opted to contest for the vice presidency. Afterward, he backed Jackson once he sensed that Crawford would be more popular in the South.

Jackson and Adams supporters backed Calhoun, thus giving him an effortless majority of votes for vice presidency. The 1824 presidential election was characterized by many forms. Well known tunes which were lyrically sang, were used to promote presidential candidates and their political agendas. Newsprints were also circulated among electorates by use of newspapers. From the bargain among the four presidential candidates on the fairness of the results, Clay and Adams were incapable of convincing citizens that corruption ha not occurred.

Because the people of the US felt that there was no democracy, and that Adam did not do much during his rule to make developments and win over electorates, Jackson went ahead to defeat Adams in the 1828 election, setting straight the vice which had been committed. The elections brought a sudden era of the good feelings of harmony and unity due to the indignations of Jackson’s followers. It led to a ruthless distrust of the regime and dissatisfaction with the Democratic-Republican Party.Works CitedColeman, Kevin and Neale, Thomas.

Presidential Elections in the United States: A Primer. New York: Nova Publishers, 2001. Print.Deskins, Donald and Puckett, Sherman. Presidential Elections, 1789-2008: County, State, and National Mapping of Election Data. New York: University of Michigan Press, 2010. Print.Gary, Rose. Controversial Issues in Presidential Selection. London: SUNY Press, 1991. Print.