President James Madison had a tumultuous first term. Thomas Jefferson had left office with a failing economy and a weak Navy.
This meant that British Impressment continued, and the merchants from New England were struggling to survive, and those that did had turned to smuggling.
However, the main issue during the Presidential Elections of 1812 was the War of 1812 that had already begun against Britain. This helped propel James Madison to an easy election.
The candidates for each party were as follows:
- Democratic-Republicans: James Madison and Vice President Elbridge Gerry
- Federalist: Dewitt Clinton and Vice President Jared Ingersoll
Presidential Election of 1812: Platforms
Democratic-Republicans: By the time of the Election of 1812, America had declared war on Great Britain. The War of 1812 was the main issue during the election and had been the sentiment in the country since the election of the War Hawks in the 1810 congressional elections.
Federalists: DeWitt Clinton was a true politician in that he took an anti-war stance in the North that was most hurt by the war and a pro-war in the South. The war was the most important topic of this election, and Madison was a weaker candidate than he was in 1808.
Presidential Election of 1812: Outcome
The Presidential Election of 1812 was the closest election and best showing for the Federalists since the presidency of John Adams in 1800.
President Madison limped into the election with a terrible first term and a terrible reputation in the North, while his opponent, DeWitt Clinton, seemed to be a blend of the Democratic-Republicans and Federalists.
The entire election ended up hinging on Pennsylvania. DeWitt Clinton worked hard to flip the state but was unable and James Madison won with approximately 58% of the vote.
This would be the last respectable showing for the Federalists as the party would begin to dissolve after the 1816 elections.