16. The first of three “corrupt bargains” in U.S. history, the outcome of the 1824 presidential election via the Twelfth Amendment caused widespread outrage and accusations of duplicity
Referring to three separate incidents in American history – the 1824 presidential election, the 1876 presidential election, and the pardon of Richard Nixon in 1974 – the moniker “corrupt bargain” refers to a political agreement that was widely perceived as corrupt in design and intent. Regarding the former, following the 1824 election, due to the appearance of four candidates, all from the Democratic-Republican Party, on a hotly contested ballot, no candidate received the required majority of votes in the Electoral College. Henry Clay won 13.0% of the popular vote, receiving 37 electors, William H. Crawford 11.2% and 41, John Quincy Adams 30.9% and 84, whilst Andrew Jackson achieved 41.4% and 99.
Despite achieving a clear plurality in both the popular vote and Electoral College, as Jackson did not surpass the 131 electors needed for victory, pursuant to the Twelfth Amendment, the election was referred to the House of Representatives. Removing Clay from consideration, due to his position as Speaker of the House, under the terms of the Twelfth Amendment the House resolved the electoral deadlock by selecting the victor. Defying expectations, the House returned a vote in favor of John Quincy Adams. Triggering widespread outrage across American society, Jackson won the 1828 election against Adams in a landslide typically viewed as a popular backlash against the corrupt bargain.