Why Did Andrew Jackson Win In The Electoral College

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The outcome of the very close election of 1824 surprised political leaders. The winner in the all-important Electoral College was Andrew Jackson, the hero of the War of 1812, with ninety-nine votes. He was followed by John Q. Adams who secured eighty-four votes. William Crawford trailed well behind with just forty-one votes. Although Jackson seemed to have won a narrow victory, receiving 43 percent of the popular vote versus just 30 percent for Adams, he would not be seated as the country 's sixth president. Because nobody had received a majority of votes in the Electoral College, the House of Representatives had to choose between the top two candidates. Henry Clay, the speaker of the House of Representatives, now held a decisive position. As