In one of the closest and most controversial US elections in history, Democrat Al Gore was in the running against Republican George W. Bush. Despite eight years experience as vice president, Gore was often overshadowed by the scandal of Clinton’s second term. Bush, meanwhile, divided opinion with his speaking style... More
With the ongoing war in Iraq, questions over weapons of mass destruction, and the aftermath of 9/11, the key issue in the election of 2004 was terrorism. The incumbent Republican president George W. Bush was running against Massachusetts senator and Democratic candidate John Kerry. Aside from Iraq – which Kerry... More
When President George W. Bush left office after a second term, the Republican candidate aiming to replace him was Arizona senator John McCain, along with Sarah Palin (the first female nominated to a Republican national ticket). They were up against Illinois senator Barack Obama, with Joe Biden for vice president.... More
President Barack Obama faced a tough election after a first term troubled by slow economic recovery, high unemployment and opposition to healthcare reforms. He faced Republican candidate Mitt Romney, who touted his experience as both governor and businessman as demonstrating his suitability for the presidency. He pledged to deliver where... More
The 58th US presidential election was held on 8 November 2016. The Republican candidate was businessman and property tycoon Donald Trump, with Indiana governor Mike Pence as his running mate. The Democratic candidate was former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, with US Senator for Virginia, Tim Kaine, running for vice... More
After the election of 1800, the Democratic-Republican vice president Thomas Jefferson became the third American president, defeating John Adams. The first time in American history that power passed from one party to another, Jefferson referred to it as the ‘Revolution of 1800’. The presidential race was a bitter battle that... More
With a strong economy and flourishing trade, Democratic-Republican Thomas Jefferson’s first term in office had been successful. In Europe, the French Revolutionary Wars had ended and, closer to home, the United States had doubled in size following the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. This land acquisition from the French was one... More
After deciding not to run for a third term, Thomas Jefferson unofficially appointed his principal advisor and secretary of state James Madison to be his successor and run for president in the 1808 election. There was, however, division over controversial foreign policies and trading decisions. The Embargo Act of 1807,... More
The election of 1812 occurred under the shadow of a war with Britain over trade restrictions, the forced impressment of neutral American seamen into the British Navy, and British support for Native Americans fighting on the frontier. America was unprepared for a war that saw a British attack on Washington... More
Democratic-Republican James Monroe was the former secretary of state under President James Madison and, as one of the founding fathers, was widely considered to be the favourite presidential candidate despite some dissent within the party. New York governor Daniel D. Tompkins successfully ran as Monroe’s running mate for vice president.... More
James Monroe’s first term as president was peaceful, successful and became known as ‘The Era of Good Feelings’. They were prosperous years, with a sense of unity and purpose following the war with Britain of 1812. It was therefore assumed that Monroe would run for a second term and, with... More
In the election of 1789, George Washington was the obvious choice for president. A war hero and commander of the Continental Army, who had led his forces to victory during the Revolutionary War (1775–83), he was idolized by the American people and had been unanimously elected president of the Constitutional... More