A Look Into History: U.S. Presidential Election of 1848

The election of 1848 was open after Polk kept his promise not to re-seek office after just one-term. Zachary Taylor was the war hero and general during the Mexican-American war, and was sought out by both parties to run. The Whigs managed to get him to come their side.

The Democrats nominated Lewis Cass, a senator from Michigan. 

Former President Martin Van Buren was at it again, and sought another term. Except this time he ran on a 3rd party ticket. He ran on the Free Soil platform which opposed slavery in the expanding west. 

Also to note is that Van Buren's running mate was Charles Francis Adams who was the grandson of John Adams, and son of John Quincey Adams. The Free Soil party received no electoral votes. 

The Whigs and Democrats attacked each other with the same old rhetoric since this was an open election. It's hard to verbally-attack a president that's not running again. However Taylor's popularity as a war hero gave him a victory over Cass. Taylor beat Cass 163-127 with them winning 15 states each. Taylor managed to get the ones that were worth more.

A Look Into History: U.S. Presidential Election of 1828

John Q. Adams ran again to seek a 2nd term after being made president thanks to Anti-Jackson politicians in the House of Representatives.

Shortly after Adams term begun, Jackson was practically nominated with no challenger to take Adams on again. Adams was also nominated with no formal process.

The Democratic-Republican party by this time pretty much spilt in two. The ones who supported Jackson called themselves Democrats, and thus formed the party that stands today. Those who supported Adams became the National Republicans which later turned into the Whig Party.

Ironically Adam's Vice President John C. Calhoun did not become his running mate. He joined Jackson's ticket and became a Democrat.

 Secretary of the Treasury Richard Rush became Adam's running mate.

This election marked the first major event of mudslinging in presidential politics. Adams' campaign pressed the issue of Jackson's marriage to his wife not being legal since there was trouble of getting a final divorce from her first marriage. Jackson's campaign fired back with accusations of governmental corruption committed personally by Adams.

Regardless of campaign tactics, it was a clear-cut victory for Jackson. Jackson carried 56% of the popular vote, 178 electoral votes, and 15 states. Adams had only 43.6% of the popular vote, 83 electoral votes, and carried only 9 states.

A Look Into History: U.S. Presidential Election of 1824

The election of 1824 saw the spilt between the Democratic-Republican party with the nomination of 4 candidates. The first was John Q. Adams who was the son of the 2nd President, and the then-current Secretary of State. 

Running against him first was General Andrew Jackson, who was the hero of the War of 1812. 

 Secretary of the Treasury William H. Crawford also ran.

Lastly Speaker of the House Henry Clay ran as well. 

 

The funny thing was that all 4 candidates spilt the vote in certain areas. Jackson got 99 electoral votes, Adams had 84, Crawford 41, and Clay 37. Someone needed 131 votes total to win the election thus the results were put on hold.

The vote officially moved to the House of Representatives. Jackson strolled up and expected to win easy since he had the clear advantage in the general election. However Henry Clay was ousted from the vote, and used his power as Speaker of the House to influence the vote to give Adams the presidency. Let's just say Jackson was not happy.

A Look Into History: U.S. Presidential Election of 1820

Despite a depression in 1819, and disagreement over slavery, James Monroe was not challenged by any of his party members nor by a real opponent as well.

His vice president was renominated as well.

Even though he didn't really run, John Quincy Adams managed to get a single electoral vote.

So it was a pretty easy victory for Monroe. Only Washington had an easier time getting re-elected.