Summary
The Presidential Election of 1812 took place early in the War of 1812, which was not going well for the United States. Despite this, James Madison was nominated for a second term by the Democratic-Republican congressional caucus, and Elbridge Gerry was nominated for Vice President. The Democratic-Republicans faced strong opposition from DeWitt Clinton of New York, a former Democratic-Republican and nephew of the recently deceased Vice President George Clinton. DeWitt Clinton, who served as Mayor of New York City, opposed the War of 1812 and received support from the Federalist Party. His running mate was Jared Ingersoll of Pennsylvania, whose candidacy was meant to help win that key state. Madison maintained strong support in the South, the new western states, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, while Clinton carried the other states north of the Potomac. The Madison-Gerry ticket won the election, and Madison returned for a second term.
Facts
- Dates: October 30–December 2, 1812.
- Primary Candidates for President: James Madison (Democratic-Republican), DeWitt Clinton (Federalist).
- Primary Candidates for Vice-President: Elbridge Gerry (Democratic-Republican), Jared Ingersoll (Federalist).
- Outcome: Madison was elected President, while Gerry was elected Vice President.
- Part of: United States Presidential Elections, Virginia Dynasty, Madison Administration.
- Era: Early Republic, Age of Jefferson.
Madison Seeks a Second Term
- James Madison served as President from 1808 to 1812.
- Toward the end of his second term, the United States declared war on Great Britain, initiating the War of 1812.
- Opponents of the war referred to it as “Mr. Madison’s War.”
- The Election of 1812 took place during the disastrous early period of the War of 1812.
Opposing Tickets
- The Democratic-Republican ticket was Madison (President) and Elbridge Gerry (Vice President).
- The Federalist ticket was DeWitt Clinton (President) and Jared Ingersoll (Vice President)
Federalist Support for Clinton and Ingersoll
DeWitt Clinton was the nephew of the recently deceased Vice President, George Clinton. Like his uncle, he was a Democratic-Republican.
- He had served as Mayor of New York City.
- Clinton opposed the War of 1812.
The Federalist Party supported him and his running mate, Jared Ingersoll of Pennsylvania. Ingersoll was included to help win support in Pennsylvania.
- Madison held strong support in the South, the new western states, Pennsylvania, and Vermont.
- Clinton carried all the other states north of the Potomac, which suggested that the Federalist Party was gaining strength.
Significance
The Presidential Election of 1812 is important to American History because it showed that James Madison could win reelection even during the early failures of the War of 1812. The election also showed growing sectional political divisions, as Madison held the South and West while DeWitt Clinton carried most states in the North. The outcome also indicated a resurgence of the Federalist Party.
AP US History
Alignment
The Presidential Election of 1812 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.
First Party System — The name given to the nation’s first system of political parties, in which the Federalist Party clashed with the Democratic-Republican Party over how to protect the United States during the Federalist Era, when the French Revolution (1789–1799) threatened stability in Europe. The rivalry between the two parties contributed to the outbreak of the War of 1812 with Britain. It was followed by the Second Party System in the 1830s.
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.
