The Unanimous Mandate
An exploration of the 1820 United States presidential election, a unique contest during the Era of Good Feelings, culminating in James Monroe's overwhelming re-election.
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The Election of 1820
A Unique Political Landscape
The 1820 United States presidential election occurred during the height of the Era of Good Feelings, a period characterized by relative political harmony and national unity following the War of 1812. This era saw the decline of the Federalist Party, leaving the Democratic-Republican Party as the dominant, effectively sole, political force.
Near-Universal Support
Incumbent President James Monroe and Vice President Daniel D. Tompkins ran for re-election without significant organized opposition. The Federalist Party, unable to field a presidential candidate, had effectively ceased to be a national contender. This election is one of only three in U.S. history where a presidential candidate ran effectively unopposed, mirroring the elections of George Washington.
Election Timeline
The election process spanned from November 1 to December 6, 1820. While Monroe secured a landslide victory, the election was not entirely without dissent, most notably the single electoral vote cast for John Quincy Adams, intended to preserve Washington's legacy of unanimous election.
Historical Context
Economic and Political Challenges
Despite the prevailing sense of national unity, the nation faced significant challenges. The Panic of 1819, a widespread economic depression, created discontent. Furthermore, the contentious issue of slavery's expansion into new territories, particularly concerning the admission of Missouri, deeply divided the nation, leading to the landmark Missouri Compromise.
Decline of the Federalists
The Federalist Party's influence had been waning since the early 1800s. Their perceived lack of strong opposition during the War of 1812 and subsequent nationalistic fervor further diminished their standing. By 1820, they were unable to present a unified presidential ticket, leaving the political field largely to the Democratic-Republicans.
New States and Electoral Dynamics
Several states participated in their first presidential election in 1820, including Alabama, Illinois, Maine, Mississippi, and Missouri. The admission of Missouri, in particular, was complicated by the ongoing debate over slavery, impacting its electoral vote count and the process of its formal admission into the Union.
Nominations and Consensus
Uncontested Nomination
The Democratic-Republican Party did not hold a formal nominating caucus. President Monroe and Vice President Tompkins ran for re-election with the implicit support of the party, reflecting a broad consensus rather than a contested nomination process. This reflected the political climate where partisan divisions had significantly softened.
Federalist Absence
The Federalist Party, having struggled to maintain relevance, did not field a presidential candidate. While some electors cast votes for Federalist figures for Vice President, the party's presidential aspirations had effectively concluded, marking a significant shift in the American political landscape.
The Campaign Trail
Criticisms Amidst Unity
Despite the lack of a formal opposition party, President Monroe's administration faced criticisms. Concerns were raised regarding his stance on federal funding for internal improvements, his tariff policies, and his perceived neutrality on the Missouri Controversy. These critiques, primarily voiced by factions within his own party, highlighted lingering regional and ideological differences.
Regional Discontent
In states like Pennsylvania and New York, opposition to Monroe coalesced around figures such as Governor DeWitt Clinton. Newspapers aligned with these factions criticized Monroe's policies, with some even labeling the pro-Monroe electoral tickets as "slave tickets" in contrast to their own "anti-slave tickets," reflecting the deep divisions over slavery.
Patronage and Factionalism
The Monroe administration was accused of using patronage to undermine political rivals, such as Governor Clinton in New York. This internal party strife, while not leading to a formal opposition candidate, demonstrated the underlying factionalism within the dominant Democratic-Republican Party.
Controversies and Disputes
The Missouri Compromise's Shadow
The admission of Missouri into the Union, following the Missouri Compromise, created a procedural dispute regarding its electoral votes. Congress debated whether Missouri had met the conditions for statehood by the time electoral votes were to be counted, leading to uncertainty about its participation.
Electoral Vote Counting
A significant procedural challenge arose during the official counting of electoral votes. Representative Arthur Livermore objected to Missouri's votes, arguing the state was not yet officially recognized. This led to a congressional resolution to announce the results both with and without Missouri's votes, ensuring Monroe's victory remained unaffected.
The Single Vote for Adams
Elector William Plumer of New Hampshire cast his electoral vote for John Quincy Adams. Plumer's stated motivation was not to prevent a unanimous election for Washington's sake, but rather a personal assessment that Monroe was a mediocre president and Adams would be superior. This act, though symbolic, broke the perfect electoral sweep.
Election Results
Electoral and Popular Vote
James Monroe secured a decisive victory, winning 231 out of 235 electoral votes. His popular vote share was approximately 78.34%. The remaining votes were cast for John Quincy Adams (1 electoral vote) and other candidates for Vice President, reflecting minor dissent or regional preferences.
State-by-State Breakdown
The election results varied across states, with Monroe winning all but one electoral vote cast. The popular vote totals reflect the differing methods of elector selection and varying levels of voter participation.
Electoral College Selection Methods
Diverse State Approaches
The methods by which states selected their presidential electors varied significantly. These differences reflected the evolving political practices and the varying degrees of direct popular participation across the states at the time.
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References
References
- "Daniel D. Tompkins, 6th Vice President (1817-1825)" United States Senate web site.
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Disclaimer
Important Notice
This content has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is based on data derived from publicly available sources, which may not be entirely current or exhaustive. The historical context and political nuances presented are synthesized from the provided source material.
This is not professional historical or political analysis. The information herein should not substitute consultation with academic historians or political scientists for in-depth understanding. Always refer to primary sources and scholarly works for definitive historical interpretation. The creators of this page are not liable for any inaccuracies, omissions, or actions taken based on the information provided.