23D. The 1824 Election and the "Corrupt Bargain"

The 1824 presidential election marked a significant turning point in U.S. political history, signaling the end of the Republican-Federalist framework. No candidate represented the Federalists, and five contenders ran as Democratic-Republicans. William H. Crawford was the party’s official nominee, but his selection through a congressional caucus alienated many voters who favored a more open nomination process.

Andrew Jackson emerged as the electoral college leader with 99 votes, followed by John Quincy Adams with 84 votes. Despite Jackson's plurality in both the electoral and popular votes, he did not achieve the majority needed to secure the presidency. Consequently, the decision fell to the House of Representatives, which chose between the top candidates.

Henry Clay, Speaker of the House and a defeated candidate himself, played a pivotal role. He supported Adams over Jackson, forming a coalition that enabled Adams to win the presidency. In return, Adams appointed Clay as secretary of state—a role seen as a stepping-stone to the presidency. This arrangement was denounced by Jackson's supporters as a "corrupt bargain," sparking intense political backlash.

The perceived betrayal fueled the rise of Jacksonian democracy, with Jackson positioning himself as a champion of the common man against what his supporters labeled an elitist and corrupt political system. This dynamic dominated the contentious presidential race of 1828 and reshaped American politics by emphasizing broader democratic participation.