Section #1 - America’s First Sixteen Presidents (1790-1865)
Chapter 7: Sectional Patterns
A more detailed look at the election data show that the Northern and Southern states frequently differ on their level of support for the winning candidate. Democrat candidates can always count on solid backing in the South, but several record much lower percentages in the North: Jefferson in 1800 (20%), Madison in 1812 (40%) as war looms, Jackson in 1828 (48%), Buchanan in 1856 (35%). The Whigs and Republicans prevail in the North, while at times struggling in the South: John Adams in 1796 (8%), his son JQA in 1824 (5%), Taylor in 1848 (45%) and of course, Lincoln in 1860 whose name does not even appear on Southern ballots.
The presidents elected across regional lines include: Washington, Jefferson in 1804, Monroe, Jackson in 1832, Harrison, and Franklin Pierce.
Electoral Vote Divisions Between Northern/Free vs. Southern/Slave States
| 1788 | 1792 | 1796 | 1800 | 1804 | 1808 | 1812 | 1816 | 1820 | 1824 | 1828 | 1832 | 1836 | 1840 | 1844 | 1848 | 1852 | 1856 | 1860 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total EV | 65 | 132 | 138 | 138 | 176 | 175 | 217 | 217 | 232 | 261 | 261 | 286 | 294 | 294 | 275 | 290 | 296 | 296 | 303 |
| Winner | GW | GW | JA | TJ | TJ | JMad | JMad | JMon | JMon | JQA | AJ | AJ | MVB | WH | JP | ZT | FP | JB | AL |
| % of all EV | 100% | 100% | 51% | 53% | 92% | 70% | 59% | 84% | 99% | 32% | 68% | 77% | 58% | 80% | 62% | 52% | 86% | 59% | 59% |
| % North/Free | 100% | 100% | 63% | 20% | 86% | 50% | 40% | 89% | 99% | 52% | 48% | 80% | 59% | 93% | 62% | 57% | 90% | 35% | 100% |
| % South/Slave | 100% | 100% | 8% | 53% | 76% | 72% | 88% | 94% | 100% | 5% | 95% | 72% | 56% | 62% | 59% | 45% | 80% | 93% | 0% |