Corrupt Bargain

The 1824 U.S. presidential election controversy

Description

The 1824 U.S. presidential election controversy—widely known as the "Corrupt Bargain"—occurred when the House of Representatives elected John Quincy Adams over Andrew Jackson despite Jackson winning more popular and electoral votes.

Election, Dec 2, 1824

Four candidates ran as Democratic-Republicans: Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, William H. Crawford, and Henry Clay. Jackson won a plurality with 99 electoral votes and 152,901 popular votes, while Adams received 84 electoral votes. Because no candidate reached the required majority, the Twelfth Amendment sent the decision to the House of Representatives.

House Speaker Henry Clay finished fourth in electoral votes (37) and was dropped from the House vote, which was restricted to the top three candidates (Jackson, Adams, and Crawford).

Elected, Feb 9, 1825

Clay wielded massive influence as Speaker. He disliked Jackson and shared more policy alignment with Adams. Clay threw his crucial support behind Adams, helping him win the presidency on the first House ballot on February 9, 1825.

Shortly after taking office, President Adams selected Henry Clay to be his Secretary of State. Because that office was widely viewed as the stepping stone to the presidency, Jackson and his furious supporters labeled the appointment a "corrupt bargain".

Resigned, Oct, 1825

Andrew Jackson denounced the outcome, resigned from his Senate seat, and immediately began a four-year grassroots campaign for redemption.

Factoids

1828-Jackson exacted political revenge in the 1828 presidential election, defeating Adams in a landslide and driving a major shift toward mass political mobilization and the Second Party System.

Related People & Organizations

John Quincy Adams

Andrew Jackson

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1824 - Caucus curs in full yell

A foot-race

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