The Election of 1824

On Inauguration Day many Americans were furious. The man being sworn into the office of President did not receive a majority of votes.  To many, he was put into office thanks to behind the scenes deals and a loophole in the Constitution.  The nation seemed on the verge of splitting over the issue.  The opposition began what would become a 4 year period of organizing supporters and getting ready for the election of 1828. Inauguration Day of 1825 would be the beginning of four challenging and frustrating years for President John Quincy Adams. 

  The Presidential election of 1824 was a four-way race with all candidates coming from the Democratic-Republican Party.  The three big candidates during that election where: Senator Andrew Jackson, Secretary of State John Quincy Adams, and Speaker of the House Henry Clay.  Andrew Jackson got the most votes, with John Quincy Adams close behind.  Neither Jackson nor Adams was able to obtain a majority of the electoral college. This meant that the election would be decided in the House of Representatives where Henry Clay had influence.

Henry Clay met with several Congressional delegates and warned them if Jackson won it would be extremely damaging to the United States.  Clay's efforts paid off, and John Quincy Adams was elected by the House of Representatives to be the 6th President of the United States.  

Jackson's supporters cried foul.  They believed that Adams arranged a deal with Clay to ensure him the victory.  Adams denied such charges but strangely enough, Henry Clay was appointed the position of Secretary of State, cementing the belief that Adams and Clay had fixed the outcome of 1824.