how did john quincy adams win the election of 1824?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1824

thank you so much ms.sue!!!!

:D

You're welcome, Jackson.

John Quincy Adams won the election of 1824 through a complex series of events leading to a decision by the House of Representatives. To understand how he won, let's break it down:

1. Background: The election of 1824 involved four major candidates: John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, William H. Crawford, and Henry Clay. None of them secured the majority of electoral votes to become president.

2. The Electoral College: In the Electoral College, Jackson received the highest number of both popular votes and electoral votes but didn't reach the necessary majority. It is worth noting that at that time, not all states had a popular vote, and some state legislatures chose their electors instead.

3. Contingent Election: According to the 12th Amendment of the United States Constitution, if no candidate secured a majority, the House of Representatives had to decide the winner from among the top three candidates. In this case, those candidates were Adams, Jackson, and Crawford. Clay, who was eliminated in the Electoral College due to receiving the lowest number of electoral votes, now played a significant role.

4. Henry Clay's Influence: As the Speaker of the House, Clay held significant influence. He endorsed Adams and convinced congressional supporters to vote for him. Clay's belief was that Adams was the most qualified candidate and would be less detrimental to the country's future than Jackson.

5. House of Representatives Vote: In the contingent election held in 1825, each state delegation in the House cast one vote, and a majority of states (13 out of 24) was needed to win. Adams received the majority of votes and became the sixth President of the United States.

In summary, John Quincy Adams won the election of 1824 by gaining support from Henry Clay, leading to a majority of states in the House of Representatives voting in his favor during the contingent election. This process highlights the unique dynamics of the election system during that time.