1852–53 United States House of Representatives elections
August 2, 1852 – November 8, 1853
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All 234 seats in the United States House of Representatives 118 seats needed for a majority | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Results: Democratic gain Whig gain Democratic hold Whig hold Free Soil hold Free Soil gain Independent gain | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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States held the 1852–53 United States House of Representatives elections between August 2, 1852, and November 8, 1853. Each state set a date for its elections to the House of Representatives before the first session of the 33rd United States Congress convened on December 5, 1853.
The Democrats increased their House majority, while the Whigs underperformed. Effects of the Compromise of 1850 temporarily reduced sectional tensions. Both major parties aimed to unify around the 1852 Presidential campaign, but only the Democrats succeeded, electing compromise candidate Franklin Pierce, a Northerner favorable to Southern interests, to the Presidency.
Two small parties, the Union and Southern Rights parties, collapsed, while the Free Soil Party, opposing slavery in the Western territories, retained four seats. One Independent, Caleb Lyon, was elected from New York.