Expanding Democracy

Question 2 • FL-2100010-M/J United States History A-CR

Which best describes the "corrupt bargain" of 1824?

Answer

John Quincy Adams helped Henry Clay win Congress’s vote for the presidency, so Clay made Adams the secretary of state.

Henry Clay helped John Quincy Adams win Congress’s vote for the presidency, so Adams made Clay the secretary of state.

Andrew Jackson defeated John Quincy Adams by winning the popular vote and the majority vote but not the electoral vote.

John Quincy Adams defeated Andrew Jackson by winning the popular vote and the majority vote but not the electoral vote.

Explanation

In 1824, no candidate won a majority of the Electoral College, so the House of Representatives chose the president. Henry Clay supported John Quincy Adams in the House vote, and after Adams became president, he appointed Clay secretary of state. Critics called this a “corrupt bargain”; choice B describes the accusation.

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