Final answer:
Four presidential candidates did receive electoral votes in the election of 1824, and the answer is True. William Henry Harrison's victory over Martin Van Buren in 1840 was a win for the Whig Party, not the Democratic Party, making the statement False. The 1824 election highlighted the growing importance of the popular vote and changes in elector selection.
Step-by-step explanation:
Regarding the question of whether four presidential candidates received electoral votes in the election of 1824, the answer is True. In that election, Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, William H. Crawford, and Henry Clay all received electoral votes. However, no candidate received a majority, which led to the House of Representatives deciding the election in favor of John Quincy Adams.
When assessing the statement that William Henry Harrison's defeat over Martin Van Buren in the presidential election of 1840 was a victory for the Democratic Party, the answer is False. The 1840 election was actually a victory for the Whig Party, with Harrison defeating the incumbent Van Buren who was a Democrat.
The election of 1824 was significant as it showcased the importance of the popular vote and the changes in how electors were chosen, reflecting a shift toward greater democracy. However, because no presidential candidate secured a majority in the Electoral College, the decision went to the House of Representatives. This election marked a turning point in the evolution of the electoral process in the United States.