The Election Denounced as "The Corrupt Bargain"

If you think overheated political rhetoric is something new, consider a classic controversy that rocked American politics long before the appearance of cable channels. The presidential election of 1824 featured four candidates, and when the voting ended in November there was no winner.

The Constitution provides a solution, a presidential election to be held in the House of Representatives. In early 1825 that turned into a monumental drama with three strong characters, Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, and Henry Clay, who happened to be the speaker of the house.

When the dust settled, John Quincy Adams was the new president. Andrew Jackson, never known to miss a chance to erupt in anger, denounced the entire affair as "The Corrupt Bargain." Jackson accused Clay of throwing the election to Adams in return for the position of secretary of state in the new Adams administration.

Jackson's accusations could never be proven, but his rage fueled his campaign against John Quincy Adams in the election of 1828, which was arguably the dirtiest campaign ever waged for the American presidency.

Image: Andrew Jackson/Library of Congress