Why did many Americans feel that the results of the 1824 election was fraudulent
Many Americans felt that the results of the 1824 election were fraudulent because of the controversial circumstances surrounding the election. The election of 1824 was a four-way race between John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, William H. Crawford, and Henry Clay.
Firstly, Andrew Jackson, who had won the popular vote and had a large number of electoral votes, did not secure the necessary majority in the Electoral College to be declared the winner. Since no candidate had a majority, the House of Representatives was tasked with deciding the winner.
Secondly, there were allegations of political maneuvering and a "corrupt bargain." It was rumored that Henry Clay, who had been eliminated from the race, used his influence in the House of Representatives to sway the vote in favor of John Quincy Adams. Soon after Adams was declared the winner, he appointed Clay as his Secretary of State, which was seen as a suspicious quid pro quo arrangement.
Thirdly, there were accusations of voter suppression and irregularities in a few states. Some argue that supporters of Adams and Clay intentionally manipulated the voting process to ensure their preferred candidate's victory.
These factors led many Americans, especially supporters of Andrew Jackson, to view the results of the 1824 election as fraudulent and a betrayal of the principle of democracy. The controversy surrounding the election further deepened the political divisions in the country and set the stage for Jackson's victory in the next presidential election in 1828.