What was the deal between Henry Clay and John Quincy Adams to win Adams presidency while Jackson had popular vote?

• A. Election Coalition
• B. Corrupt Bargain
• C. Compromise of 1824
• D. Election by the House

Answer: (B)

Think about the term that historians use to describe the 1824 presidential contest and the behind‑the‑scenes agreement that surrounded it. Andrew Jackson had the most votes but not a majority, so the House of Representatives decided the presidency. Henry Clay, who was Speaker of the House, threw his support to John Quincy Adams, and after Adams won, Clay was appointed Secretary of State. Critics labeled this a “corrupt bargain,” implying a backroom deal traded political clout for a government post. That label is the best answer because it directly names the alleged exchange and its ethical implications, which is the heart of what the question is asking. The other terms don’t fit as well: one describes a mechanism (the House choosing the president) rather than the alleged deal at the center of the controversy, and the Compromise of 1824 isn’t the standard label used for this event.