United States House election, 1872

United States House of Representatives elections, 1872

← 1870 November 5, 1872 1874 →
All 292 seats to the United States House of Representatives 147 seats were needed for a majority
Majority party Minority party   Leader James Blaine Fernando Wood Party Republican Democratic Leader's seat Maine-3rd New York-10th Last election 139 seats 104 seats Seats won 203 89 Seat change 64 15
Speaker before election James Blaine Republican Elected Speaker James Blaine Republican Party (United States) Map of U.S. House elections results from 1872 elections for 43rd Congress

James Blaine
Republican

James Blaine
Republican Party (United States)

Elections to the United States House of Representatives were held in 1872 and 1873 for representatives to the 43rd Congress, coinciding with the re-election of President Ulysses S. Grant.

Grant's Republican Party increased its majority greatly at the expense of the opposition Democratic Party. The pro-industry outlook of the Republicans appealed to many Northern voters, especially as the post-war economy exploded, and this allowed the party to flourish as the Industrial Revolution grew more widespread. The Republicans also benefited from a continuing association with Civil War victory as well as disarray amongst Democratic leadership.

Following the 1870 Census, the House was reapportioned, initially adding 40 seats, followed by a subsequent amendment to the apportionment act adding another seat to 9 States, resulting in a total increase of 49 seats. No States lost seats, 10 States had no change, 13 States gained 1 seat each, 9 States gained 2 seats, 3 States gained 3 seats, 1 State gained 4 seats, and 1 State gained 5 Seats. Prior to the supplemental act, two States (New Hampshire and Vermont) had each lost 1 seat. This was the first reapportionment after the repeal of the three-fifths compromise by the 14th Amendment