Summary
The Presidential Election of 1820 was a unique situation in which James Monroe faced no opponent and won all but four votes for President. Of those four, one vote went to John Quincy Adams, and three were abstentions. Daniel D. Tompkins was reelected Vice President, although his margin of victory was not as large as Monroe’s. Because the election was so close to unanimous, it became a clear symbol of the “Era of Good Feelings.” The results reflected a moment of broad political agreement in national politics and made the election stand out in early American History.
Facts
- Dates: November 1–December 6, 1820.
- Primary Candidates for President: James Monroe (Democratic-Republican).
- Primary Candidates for Vice-President: Daniel D. Tompkins (Democratic-Republican).
- Outcome: Monroe was elected President, while Tompkins was elected Vice President.
- Part of: United States Presidential Elections, Virginia Dynasty, Monroe Administration.
- Era: Expansion and Reform, Age of Jefferson.
Significance
The Presidential Election of 1820 is important to American History because it showed an unusual level of political agreement in a nationwide election. James Monroe faced no opponent and won all but four votes, while Daniel D. Tompkins also won reelection as Vice President. Because the election was nearly unanimous, it became a strong symbol of the “Era of Good Feelings” in the early republic.
AP US History
Alignment
The Presidential Election of 1820 is part of the following units, topics, and chapters in the AP US History curriculum:
- Triumphs and Travails of the Jeffersonian Republic (1800–1812)
- The Second War for Independence and the Upsurge of Nationalism (1812–1824)
Terms
Electoral College — The body that meets every four years to elect the President and Vice President of the United States, in a process established by Article II of the Constitution. Each State in the Union has delegates, or Electors, who cast ballots for both offices. The number of Electors for each state is determined by the number of members it has in the two houses of Congress. Today, most Electors are required to cast their votes for the candidates who win their state’s popular vote.
Federalist Party — Established by Alexander Hamilton in 1791, it was the first political party in the United States. Federalists were advocates of a strong national government and a broad interpretation of powers granted to the Federal Government by the United States Constitution. The party declined in the early 19th Century due to internal divisions, opposition to the War of 1812, and a shift in public opinion towards their rivals, the Democratic-Republicans.
Democratic-Republican Party — Founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in 1972, it opposed the Federalist Party and was the second political party in the United States. The Democratic-Republicans favored a strict interpretation of the Constitution, a weak central government, and strong state governments. The party split in the mid-1820s, and a faction that emerged from it exists today as the modern Democratic Party.
Era of Good Feelings — The Era of Good Feelings described the post-War of 1812 period commonly dated from the Treaty of Ghent in 1814 to John Quincy Adams’ election in 1824. Americans associated it with nationalism, economic growth, and political unity as the Federalist Party collapsed and Democratic-Republicans dominated national politics. Optimism followed the Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815, expansion goals such as acquiring Florida in 1819, and booming land, banking, and cotton markets, before the Panic of 1819 and rising political divisions ended the era.
Virginia Dynasty — The Virginia Dynasty refers to the election of Virginians as President in eight of the first nine Presidential Elections. The Presidents who were part of the Virginia Dynasty were George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe. The Virginia Dynasty ended with the election of John Quincy Adams in 1824.
Jeffersonian Democracy — Jeffersonian Democracy refers to the ideology of the Democratic-Republican Party during the presidencies of Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe. This ideology focused on a strict interpretation of the United States Constitution, personal responsibility to remain virtuous and resist corruption, protection of personal liberties, and the promotion of agriculture.
Age of Jefferson (1800–1824) — The Age of Jefferson was an era that promoted the ideals of “Jeffersonian Democracy,” including a strict interpretation of the United States Constitution, adherence to republican principles, and the promotion of agriculture. It was highlighted by the decline of the Federalist Party during the First Party System, which allowed the Democratic-Republicans to usher in the “Era of Good Feelings.” The Presidents during this era were Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe. Key events were the Revolution of 1800, the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Marbury v. Madison decision, the War of 1812, and the issuance of the Monroe Doctrine.
