USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -To the surprise of many, the House elected John Quincy Adams over rival Andrew Jackson. It was widely believed that Clay, the Speaker of the House, convinced Congress to elect Adams, who then made Clay his Secretary of State.

Detailed explanation-2: -In 1828, Andrew Jackson campaigned against what he called the corrupt bargain between John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay. In the 1824 presidential election, Jackson won the popular vote but lost the electoral vote. Adams took office instead when fourth place finisher, Henry Clay, threw his electoral votes to Adams.

Detailed explanation-3: -Once in office, Adams installed Henry Clay to the post of Secretary of State. Adams’s victory was a gut punch for Jackson, who expected to be elected President having more popular and electoral votes. Following this logic, Jackson and his followers accused Clay and Adams of striking a corrupt bargain.

Detailed explanation-4: -Why did Jacksonians consider the political deal between Adams and Clay “corrupt"? They considered it corrupt because as soon as Adams was put into presidency, he automatically promoted Clay to secretary of state which was traditionally known as the stepping stone to presidency.