Important Presidential Elections

Some of the most important presidential elections


 


  1812


 


          The election of 1812 consisted of a battle between James Madison, and De


  Witt Clinton.   Madison had represented both Democratic and Republican


  beliefs, while Clinton was a Federalist.


 


          James Madison was born in Port Conway, Va., on March 16, 1751.   A


  Princeton graduate, he joined the struggle for independence on his return


  to Virginia in 1771.   He had been an active politician in the 1770's and


  1780's.   He was greatly know for championing the Jefferson reform program,


  and in the Continental Congress.   Madison, in collaboration, had


  participated greatly in the, Federalist, a paper who's main purpose was to


  ratify the constitution.   Madison first became president in 1809, when he


  bested Charles C. Pickney.   He had led the U.S. in a very unpopular war, in


  which the U.S. hadn't been prepared for...the War of 1812.  


 


          De Witt Clinton was a Federalist, who's main purpose of the election was


  to get the U.S. out of a war in which he felt was very unnecessary.   DeWitt


  held every major elective office in New York between 1797 and


  1828--assemblyman, senator, mayor of New York City, lieutenant governor,


  and governor.   He was a philanthropist and patron of the arts and science


  and, as canal commissioner, championed construction of the Erie and


  Champlain canals


         


          The method in which these candidates received nomination was by the


  Electoral College, or by King Caucus.   The idea of political conventions


  had not been present at this time.   There were no third-party candidates in


  this election.


 


          The major issue of this election was the War of 1812.   The War of 1812, or


  "Mr....