United States House election, 1868
Encyclopedia
Elections to the United States House of Representatives
were held in 1868 to elect Representatives to the 41st United States Congress
. The election coincided with the presidential election of 1868
, which was won by Ulysses S. Grant
.
The Democrats
gained 20 seats, but Grant's Republican Party
retained a commanding majority in the Reconstruction era following the American Civil War
, holding onto a firm legitimacy through an association with victory. As more Southern states exited Reconstruction, more Democratic seats appeared in the South. However, Democratic gains in the South were limited, as the Republican power-brokers of Reconstruction held a great deal of influence. The small Conservative Party also picked up several Southern seats, as it had support among wealthy Southern leaders who wanted to increase the region's power.
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
were held in 1868 to elect Representatives to the 41st United States Congress
41st United States Congress
-House of Representatives:- Senate :* President : Schuyler Colfax* President pro tempore: Henry B. Anthony - House of Representatives :* Speaker: James G. Blaine -Members:This list is arranged by chamber, then by state...
. The election coincided with the presidential election of 1868
United States presidential election, 1868
The United States presidential election of 1868 was the first presidential election to take place after the American Civil War, during the period referred to as Reconstruction...
, which was won by Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America...
.
The Democrats
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
gained 20 seats, but Grant's Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
retained a commanding majority in the Reconstruction era following the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, holding onto a firm legitimacy through an association with victory. As more Southern states exited Reconstruction, more Democratic seats appeared in the South. However, Democratic gains in the South were limited, as the Republican power-brokers of Reconstruction held a great deal of influence. The small Conservative Party also picked up several Southern seats, as it had support among wealthy Southern leaders who wanted to increase the region's power.
Overall results
| Party | Total seats (change) | Seat percentage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Republican Party | 171 | -2 | 70.3% |
| Democratic Party Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
67 | +20 | 27.5% |
| Conservative Party | 5 | +3 | 2.0% |
| Totals | 243 | +19 | 100.0% |
California
| District | Incumbent | Party | Elected | Status | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California California California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area... 1 |
Samuel Beach Axtell Samuel Beach Axtell Samuel Beach Axtell . Notable for being the most controversial Chief Justice of the New Mexico Territorial Supreme Court; corrupted administration as Governor of New Mexico; brief tenure as Governor of Utah; and two term Congressman from California.-Early life:Axtell was born in Franklin County,... |
Democratic | |
Running | Samuel Beach Axtell Samuel Beach Axtell Samuel Beach Axtell . Notable for being the most controversial Chief Justice of the New Mexico Territorial Supreme Court; corrupted administration as Governor of New Mexico; brief tenure as Governor of Utah; and two term Congressman from California.-Early life:Axtell was born in Franklin County,... (D) 54.1% Frank M. Pixley (R) 45.9% |
| California California California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area... 2 |
William Higby William Higby William Higby was a United States Representative from California. He was born in Willsboro, New York. He attended a preparatory school in Westport, New York and was graduated from the University of Vermont in Vermont in 1840. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1847 and commenced... |
Republican | |
Defeated in primary | Aaron A. Sargent (R) 54.7% James W. Coffroth (D) 45.3% |
| California California California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area... 3 |
James A. Johnson James A. Johnson (politician) James Augustus Johnson was a U.S. Representative from California who went on to serve as the state's 14th Lieutenant Governor.-Early life:... |
Democratic | |
Running | James A. Johnson James A. Johnson (politician) James Augustus Johnson was a U.S. Representative from California who went on to serve as the state's 14th Lieutenant Governor.-Early life:... (D) 50.4% Chancellor Hartson (R) 49.6% |
External links
- http://clerk.house.gov/histHigh/Congressional_History