End of an Era

Despite its name, the Era of Good Feelings was a time of growing political division in the United States. The financial panic of 1819 stirred growing opposition, especially in the South, to the increasing role of the national government in economic affairs. A movement for states' rights gained momentum. The slavery issue, highlighted by the Missouri Crisis, added to the sectional tensions. Americans also divided over issues, such as debt relief, banking policy, and property qualifications for voting.

With no opposing political party, the nominee selected by the Republican Party caucus would, in theory, have a clear path to the presidency in 1824. Many Republicans did not support this nominating method and did not participate in the caucus. Four candidates emerged to challenge the caucus nominee, William Crawford. Reflecting the growing sectional tensions, each candidate was from a different state:

• William Crawford—Georgia
• Andrew Jackson—Tennessee
• Henry Clay—Kentucky
• John Quincy Adams—Massachusetts
• John C. Calhoun—South Carolina

Prior to the election, Calhoun dropped out, making it a four-man race. Andrew Jackson received the most popular votes, though none of the candidates received the majority of electoral votes needed to claim the presidency (see table below).

Candidates		Electoral Vote		Popular Vote		Popular Percentage
Jackson		99		153,544		42.16%
Adams		84		108,740		31.89%
Crawford		41		46,618		12.95%
Clay		37		47,136		12.99%

Was the electoral vote in the 1824 election an accurate reflection of the people's will? Why or why not?

Yes. Andrew Jackson received most of the popular votes and most of the electoral votes. His percentage of the popular vote roughly corresponds with the portion of electoral votes he received.